News Listing
![2024 Scholarship Winners Congratulations 2024 Scholarship Winners](/getmedia/ad406b2d-1a9e-45ec-bac6-bb0f7af9ac26/2024_ScholarshipWinners_DigitalStandard.webp?ext=.webp)
Blaze Credit Union Foundation Awards Over $70,000 in Scholarships
Blaze continued its commitment to support students in the communities that it serves by awarding more than $70,000 in scholarships to 28 Minnesotans.
![Now Open: Blaze Stillwater at Cub Foods Now Open: Blaze Stillwater at Cub Foods](/getmedia/867fe308-f018-4d67-b887-8b02c69d29fe/StillwaterCub_NowOpen_1920x1080.webp?ext=.webp)
Blaze Opens Branch at Stillwater Cub
The newest Blaze location in the Stillwater Cub Foods is part of Blaze’s commitment to serve its members however they want to be served.
![Blaze Credit Union: Forbes 2024 Best-in-State Credit Unions in Minnesota Blaze Credit Union: Forbes 2024 Best-in-State Credit Unions in Minnesota](/getmedia/af5fa6b3-8055-4806-9d0e-a26bee9bbeb1/2024_Forbes_DigitalStandard.webp?ext=.webp)
Blaze Named Forbes Best-in-State Credit Union
Blaze has been named one of Minnesota’s Best-in-State Credit Unions by renowned business media company Forbes.
![Bucks for Babe: KS95, The Bond Between, and with support from Blaze Credit Union Bucks for Babe: KS95, The Bond Between, and with support from Blaze Credit Union](/getmedia/1d197c5b-ea4e-417c-984c-cfd034928355/Bucks-for-Babe-2024.webp?ext=.webp)
Join Blaze in Supporting Bucks for Babe 2024
Blaze is thrilled to once again partner with our friends at KS95 and The Bond Between to support the annual Bucks for Babe fundraiser.
![Updates Coming to Blaze Digital Banking: A new look and feel is coming June 11 Updates Coming to Blaze Digital Banking: A new look and feel is coming June 11](/getmedia/10dec7d2-3747-4c20-a900-cc938f7882d1/Q2ComposableDash_Header.webp?ext=.webp)
Blaze Digital Banking Updates Coming for Legacy Hiway Members
We are excited to bring an upgraded digital banking experience for our Legacy Hiway members. There are no changes for Legacy SPIRE members at this time.
![photo of Christine Cordell photo of Christine Cordell](/getmedia/0f53b04b-6145-4033-b773-caca9df59fb3/Christine-Cordell.webp?ext=.webp)
Christine Cordell Continues National Credit Union Foundation & Filene’s Think Tank Appointments
Blaze SVP and Chief Project/Learning Officer Christine Cordell was appointed as NCUF Secretary and selected to continue on the Filene Research Institute’s Think Tank.
![photo of Dave Boden photo of Dave Boden](/getmedia/f2da9e4e-a818-4e03-8ed5-5dc3b29a2ce7/Dave-Boden.webp?ext=.webp)
Blaze President Dave Boden to Retire July 1
Blaze has announced that President/Chief Transformation Officer Dave Boden will be retiring on Monday, July 1.
![photo of Dave Walters photo of Dave Walters](/getmedia/f8231139-8d98-4e62-b9fc-64550fc96761/DaveWalters_Website2.webp?ext=.webp)
Dave Walters Joins BOD at Exodus Lending
Blaze Vice President of Consumer Lending Dave Walters was recently named to the Board of Directors at Exodus Lending.
![photo of Tara Graff photo of Tara Graff](/getmedia/0c93867b-92e1-4518-abf9-3f0e37437231/Tara-Graff_DigitalStandard.webp?ext=.webp)
Tara Graff Joins Mankato State Women in Leadership Advisory Board
Blaze’s SVP/Chief Communications Officer Tara Graff has been appointed to the Women in Leadership Program Advisory Board at Minnesota State University, Mankato.
![photo of Brian White photo of Brian White](/getmedia/cf3f7946-4447-4605-ad8a-4f8032c2f983/Brian-White-Headshot_DigitalStandard.webp?ext=.webp)
Blaze SVP/CIO Brian White Guest Instructor at Mercer University
Blaze Senior Vice President/Chief Information Officer Brian White has been invited to be a guest instructor at the well-regarded Stetson-Hatcher School of Business at Mercer University in Macon, Georgia.
![2023 EVAA Winner - Economic Vehicle Accessibility Awards 2023 EVAA Winner - Economic Vehicle Accessibility Awards](/getmedia/1a65c601-cddd-41d5-8350-facd668f82d2/EVAA.webp?ext=.webp)
Blaze Wins Economic Vehicle Accessibility Award from Open Lending
Blaze was honored with an Economic Vehicle Accessibility Award from Open Lending, a trailblazer in automotive lending enablement and risk analytics solutions.
![photo of Tina Jones receiving MAFCS Outstanding Friend Award photo of Tina Jones receiving MAFCS Outstanding Friend Award](/getmedia/da87e5a6-d4b7-429d-9801-1fd6551d1009/TinaJonesMAFCS_DigitalStandard_Web_1.webp?ext=.webp)
Tina Jones Named Outstanding Friend of MAFCS
Blaze’s Assistant Vice President of Financial Empowerment Tina Jones, was named the 2024 Friend of Minnesota Association of Family and Consumer Science (MAFCS).
![image of diamond awards image of diamond awards](/getmedia/59eaa436-6781-43c2-95e3-828347fd8806/2024-Diamonds_DigitalStandard.webp?ext=.webp)
Blaze Nets Four Marketing Diamond Awards
Blaze’s marketing and communications team has been honored with four Diamond Awards by America’s Credit Unions (formerly CUNA).
![photo of Blaze Vice President of Marketing Lisa Lehman photo of Blaze Vice President of Marketing Lisa Lehman](/getmedia/e90a28cb-d0d1-46f4-8dbe-6862cecc1522/Lisa-Lehman_Headshot_DigStand.webp?ext=.webp)
Blaze's Lisa Lehman Named to St. Paul Area Chamber Board of Directors
Blaze is pleased to announce Lisa Lehman, Vice-President of Marketing, has been named to the St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.
![image of 12U girl team from Princeton/Becker/Big Lake image of 12U girl team from Princeton/Becker/Big Lake](/getmedia/bac10b76-2413-47f3-869f-fdd92278a758/12UTeamGrey_edit.jpg?width=1080&height=608&ext=.jpg)
Youth Hockey Teams Raise $26K for Gillette Children's
Blaze Hockey Kids4Kids, inspired youth hockey teams to use their own creative ideas to raise awareness and funds for Gillette Children’s.
![photo of Circus Juventas performers at 2024 Annual Meeting photo of Circus Juventas performers at 2024 Annual Meeting](/getmedia/dd255504-5602-44bc-97da-1218991bd2f4/2024-Blaze-Annual-Meeting_1920x1080.webp?ext=.webp)
3,700+ Attend Annual Meeting & Member Appreciation Day
Blaze hosted 3,731 members and guests for our Annual Meeting & Member Appreciation Day on Saturday, February 24, at Grace Church in Eden Prairie.
![photo of Dan Stoltz receiving award photo of Dan Stoltz receiving award](/getmedia/75754760-b53a-4a06-8b53-ba9d6da4058c/2024-House-of-Leaders_DigitalStandard_1.webp?ext=.webp)
Dan Stoltz Inducted Into CU House Hall of Leaders
Blaze CEO Dan Stoltz was inducted into the Credit Union House Hall of Leaders during the America’s Credit Unions Governmental Affairs Conference in Washington, D.C.
![photo of Blaze Ambassadors with BestPrep leaders accepting $10K check](/getmedia/126c4a81-f48d-4532-b13a-3a3e40049b43/Trailblazing-Partners_DigitalStandard.webp?ext=.webp)
Blaze Donates $70K to Trailblazing Non-profit Partners
Blaze is proud to announce that it recently donated a total of $70,000 to seven Minnesota non-profits who are doing innovative work as they further their missions.
![photo of Maureen Daly](/getmedia/15dc7909-9369-4362-8089-59352b21ef14/Maureen-Daly.webp?ext=.webp)
Daly Named Vice Chair Twin Cities North Chamber
Blaze is pleased to announce Maureen Daly, branch manager of our bustling St. Paul location, has been named Vice Chair of the Twin Cities North Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.
![Blaze Foundation 2024 Scholarship Program Blaze Foundation 2024 Scholarship Program supporting the educations aspirations of students in our communities](/getmedia/9fb083d4-681c-404f-82ee-e4fab1c1907e/2024_Scholarships_Headline.webp?ext=.webp)
Blaze Foundation Launches Scholarship Program
The Blaze Foundation has launched the 2024 Scholarship Program, committing $50,000 to support the educational aspirations of students in our community.
![](/getmedia/e5c7eb3d-004a-4724-80b9-da3bb0e6f080/2024_AM_1920x1080_RegisterNow.webp?ext=.webp)
Blaze to Hold Annual Meeting & Member Appreciation Day
The Blaze Annual Meeting & Member Appreciation Day will be held on Saturday, February 24, at Grace Church in Eden Prairie featuring Circus Juventas.
![](/getmedia/4812a9b9-ea48-41cf-b2d6-02ae30d53778/AreNowBlaze_SPIREHiway_1920x1080.webp?ext=.webp)
Blaze Credit Union is Here
The legal merger of Hiway and SPIRE has arrived, with the two Minnesota-based credit unions serving 250,000+ members as Blaze Credit Union on January 1.
![Congratulations Dan Stoltz on TCB 100 Congratulations Dan Stoltz on TCB 100](/getmedia/3147f47b-8813-4766-9795-be3d9f97be50/2023_TCB100Dan.webp?ext=.webp)
Dan Stoltz Named to Twin Cities Business Top 100 for 2024
SPIRE President/CEO Dan Stoltz recognized on the TCB 100 list in 2024 by Twin Cities Business.
![photo of Justin Burleson photo of Justin Burleson](/getmedia/8834b303-6792-43dd-b122-9dadeaa3a2ee/Justin-Burleson.webp?ext=.webp)
SPIRE's Burleson Named CFO of the Year
SPIRE SVP and Chief Operating and Financial Officer, Justin Burleson, honored with CFO of the Year Award by Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal.
![](/getmedia/16c7f36a-e41b-435c-8ffb-e00c284af8b8/BecomingBlaze_SPIREHiway_1920x1080.webp?ext=.webp)
SPIRE & Hiway will Rebrand as Blaze Credit Union
As SPIRE and Hiway approach their legal merge date, the Twin Cities-based credit unions shared their much-anticipated new name and brand: Blaze Credit Union.
![photo of Lisa Lehman photo of Lisa Lehman](/getmedia/e90a28cb-d0d1-46f4-8dbe-6862cecc1522/Lisa-Lehman_Headshot_DigStand.webp?ext=.webp)
SPIRE's Lehman Named Top Woman in Finance
SPIRE VP of Marketing and Business Development, Lisa Lehman, has been named a 2023 Top Woman in Finance by Finance & Commerce.
![photo of people playing curling photo of people playing curling](/getmedia/c4979ea6-37be-4661-af18-9234274d1c0e/Curling-Event.webp?ext=.webp)
Hiway Credit Union Foundation Sixth Annual Fundraising Event
Hiway Credit Union Foundation, an independent 501(c)3 non-profit organization established by Hiway Credit Union® (Hiway), raised more than $125,000 at the credit union’s Sixth Annual Curling Fundraising Event.
![](/getmedia/a77d024e-4303-495e-9f2c-f9d779032dba/SPIRE-Hiway-Announcement.webp?ext=.webp)
Hiway Credit Union Members Approve Merger with SPIRE
Hiway Credit Union members voted to approve the merger with SPIRE. This paves the way for a newly named and branded combined credit union starting January 1.
![Hiway Credit Union Foundation Hiway Credit Union Foundation logo](/getmedia/d507b073-7beb-467a-800e-9d3bf5ae7be5/hiway-foundation-logo.webp?ext=.webp)
Hiway Credit Union Foundation Community Impact Grants
The Hiway Credit Union Foundation announced that 15 local Twin Cities non-profits were the recipients of the Foundation’s Community Impact Grants for 2023.
![Hiway Wins Dora Maxwell and Desjardins Awards Dora Maxwell and Desjardins Award Logos](/getmedia/ffa0e033-0a87-45cb-b21b-b78886947123/dora-maxwell-desjardins-awards.webp?ext=.webp)
Hiway Wins Dora Maxwell and Desjardins Awards
Hiway Credit Union has been honored with the 2023 Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Community Service Award and the 2023 Desjardins Youth Financial Education Award.
![photo of Brian Thomas May photo of Brian Thomas May](/getmedia/f0d28c42-2258-408c-8caf-81e778624bf1/Brian-Thomas-May_DigStand.webp?ext=.webp)
Brian Thomas May Named to Midway Chamber Board of Directors
The Midway Chamber supports organizations in the Midway area of St. Paul. SPIRE Digital Marketing Director Brian Thomas May has been named to its Board of Directors.
![We are honored We are honored](/getmedia/1bd07b28-1e1c-4e00-ad6c-53d775c78760/2023_MNB_1920x1080.webp?ext=.webp)
SPIRE Named Minnesota's Best in Five Categories
The Star Tribune announced that SPIRE Credit Union has been voted Minnesota's Best in the credit union, mortgage, wealth management, customer service, and customer service-financial services categories.
![Greta Myers headshot Greta Myers headshot](/getmedia/5d3e6055-a091-4a7c-9044-af23a19697da/GretaMyers_DigitalStandard.webp?ext=.webp)
SPIRE Partners with US Speed Skater Greta Myers
SPIRE Credit Union is proud to announce a new partnership with Minnesota native, US speed skater, and longtime SPIRE member Greta Myers.
![Patrick McGuiness Patrick McGuiness](/getmedia/d27acffa-3ef9-4b8b-870d-720909b599c0/Patrick-McGuinness-690x388.webp?ext=.webp)
Hiway's Patrick McGuiness Recognized as Outstanding Director
Hiway Credit Union Board Member Patrick McGuiness has been honored by the Twin Cities Business Magazine by being recognized as one of the Twin Cities’ Outstanding Directors.
![photo of Blaze CEO Dan Stoltz photo of Blaze CEO Dan Stoltz](/getmedia/5da47f39-4668-4376-9ae8-620bc40a652b/Headshot_Stoltz_2018_DigitalStandard.webp?ext=.webp)
Dan Stoltz Named Chair of Regions Hospital Corporate Council
SPIRE President/CEO Dan Stoltz has been named Chair of the Regions Hospital Corporate Council - comprised of top local executives who believe in Regions’ mission.
![two SPIRE interns holding puppies from Second Handhounds two SPIRE interns holding puppies from Second Handhounds](/getmedia/be6b742a-6e0f-4ea8-9659-0006163cf735/SPIRE-Interns-Holding-Puppies_DigStand.webp?ext=.webp)
SPIRE & KS95 Raise Nearly $80,000 for Secondhand Hounds
For the second consecutive summer, SPIRE members, KS95 listeners, and animal lovers raised money for Secondhand Hounds through the Buck$ for Babe fundraiser.
![SPIRE Credit Union named 2023 MSPBJ Best Places to Work SPIRE Credit Union named 2023 MSPBJ Best Places to Work](/getmedia/954cfb8f-8c06-48eb-9268-9890952d2d7f/2023_BPTW_Lock-DS.webp?ext=.webp)
MSPBJ Names SPIRE 2023 Best Places to Work
SPIRE has been selected as one of the 2023 Best Places to Work honorees by Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal (MSPBJ).
![SPIRE Credit Union named Forbes 2023 Best-in-State Credit Union SPIRE Credit Union named Forbes 2023 Best-in-State Credit Union](/getmedia/eb24cfa0-43e9-4683-971d-f3d196924b46/2023_Forbes_Lock-DS.webp?ext=.webp)
Forbes Names SPIRE Best-in-State Credit Union
SPIRE Credit Union is proud to be named one of Minnesota’s Best-in-State Credit Unions by Forbes again in 2023.
![Kathy Glashan Kathy Glashan](/getmedia/f639eeea-ea39-47f2-a26d-fe9e559a515c/Kathy-Glashan-690x388.webp?ext=.webp)
Hiway's Kathy Glashan named as 2023 Leading Loan Originator
Hiway’s Mortgage Loan Officer, Kathy Glashan was honored by being named as a Leading Loan Originator by National Mortgage Professional Magazine.
![Hiway Recognized as a Top Workplace StarTribune Top Workplaces 2023](/getmedia/6ec9437f-a679-4b03-8724-a4bd3684ab88/top-workplaces-hiway-2023.webp?ext=.webp)
Hiway Recognized as a Top Workplace
Hiway has been named one of the Top Workplaces in Minnesota by the Star Tribune. This is the ninth time Hiway has earned the designation.
![Hiway Awarded 2023 HERBIE Hiway associates and the 2023 HERBIE award](/getmedia/4b687be7-14ed-4e3d-a6c9-02c651edd1dd/herbie-award-2023.webp?ext=.webp)
Hiway Awarded 2023 HERBIE
Hiway has been honored with the 2023 HERBIE Award (Business/Organization) by the Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce.
![photo of Blaze CEO Dan Stoltz photo of Blaze CEO Dan Stoltz](/getmedia/5da47f39-4668-4376-9ae8-620bc40a652b/Headshot_Stoltz_2018_DigitalStandard.webp?ext=.webp)
Dan Stoltz Named Notable Leader by TCB Magazine
SPIRE President/CEO Dan Stoltz has been named a 2023 Notable Leader in Banking and Finance by Twin Cities Business Magazine.
![photo of members of the SPIRE Board of Directors photo of members of the SPIRE Board of Directors](/getmedia/53bf9342-77b9-4c25-a754-af6dbbc15b7c/Tom-Heinzen-Award_SPIRE-Board-of-Directors.webp?ext=.webp)
SPIRE BOD Chair Heinzen Named Director of the Year by MnCUN
SPIRE Board Chair Thomas Heinzen named 2023 Director of the Year by the Minnesota Credit Union Network (MNCUN) for dedication to the credit union movement.
![photo of Jim Ganger photo of Jim Ganger](/getmedia/d39210d6-7986-4e7b-8de5-fc44cd9803fa/Jim-Ganger.webp?ext=.webp)
SPIRE’s Jim Ganger Joins Saint Paul Police Foundation Board
Jim Ganger, SVP/Chief Retail Officer for SPIRE Credit Union, has joined the fourteen-person Saint Paul Police Foundation Board of Directors.
![](/getmedia/28c548cb-9b28-4ed9-869e-d1d0581489ad/Dave-Boden-690x388.webp?ext=.webp)
Dave Boden Named as 2023 Most Admired CEOs Honoree
Hiway Credit Union’s President/CEO Dave Boden was recently named one of the 2023 Most Admired CEOs by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal.
![Saint Paul Financial Empowerment Community Awards Saint Paul Financial Empowerment Community Awards](/getmedia/40963f91-3fd3-4f43-abe3-18ed81d4e2f9/financial-empowerment-community-awards-2023.webp?ext=.webp)
Hiway Earns Two Financial Empowerment Community Awards
Hiway was awarded a pair of Financial Empowerment Community Awards by the City of St. Paul and the Financial Empowerment Community Council for their impact and innovation within financial empowerment across St. Paul.
![Dave Boden Dave Boden](/getmedia/28c548cb-9b28-4ed9-869e-d1d0581489ad/Dave-Boden-690x388.webp?ext=.webp)
Dave Boden Elected as Chair of MnCUN Board
Hiway Credit Union’s President/CEO Dave Boden was elected as Chair of the Board of Directors for the Minnesota Credit Union Network (MnCUN), the state’s trade association for Minnesota’s credit unions.
![photo of Diamond Awards photo of Diamond Awards](/getmedia/d12ae56a-60cb-4a63-943a-b878d72a4b61/2023-Diamond_DigitalStandard.webp?ext=.webp)
SPIRE Wins Four National Marketing Awards
SPIRE Credit Union was recently honored by Credit Union National Association (CUNA) with four awards recognizing outstanding marketing achievements in the credit union industry.
![Tara Graff Tara Graff](/getmedia/afa1d416-517a-4957-955d-998b8b2f1db5/Tara-Graff-690x388.webp?ext=.webp)
Tara Graff Named as 2023 Women in Business Honoree
Tara Graff of Hiway Credit Union was announced as one of the 2023 Women in Business honorees by Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal.
![photo of Justin Burleson photo of Justin Burleson](/getmedia/8834b303-6792-43dd-b122-9dadeaa3a2ee/Justin-Burleson.webp?ext=.webp)
Justin Burleson Named 40 Under 40 Honoree by MSPBJ
Justin Burleson, SPIRE SVP/Chief Operating and Financial Officer, has been named one of Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal’s prestigious 40 Under 40 honorees.
![photo of Blaze CEO Dan Stoltz photo of Blaze CEO Dan Stoltz](/getmedia/5da47f39-4668-4376-9ae8-620bc40a652b/Headshot_Stoltz_2018_DigitalStandard.webp?ext=.webp)
Dan Stoltz Named Grand Marshal of Winter Carnival Grande Day Parade
SPIRE President/CEO Dan Stoltz will serve as Community Grand Marshal for the 2023 Saint Paul Winter Carnival Grande Day Parade on Saturday, January 28.