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Blaze Foundation Community Impact Grant graphic

Blaze Foundation Awards $125,000 in Community Impact Grants

The Blaze Foundation has announced that 14 Twin Cities non-profits are the recipients of the 2024 Community Impact Grants. Awarded grants range from $500 to $10,000.

Photo of Blaze leadership with Carrie Tollefson

Blaze Foundation Curling Event Raises Record $150,000

The Blaze Foundation’s annual curling event set a fundraising record of $150,000 to support the financial well-being and development of underserved youth.

Blaze Hockey Kids4Kids logo

Blaze Hockey Kids4Kids Returns for Seventh Season

Youth hockey players throughout Minnesota raise funds for kids receiving care through Gillette Children’s. Minnesota Wild’s Jared Spurgeon returns as the ambassador.

2024 Blaze Foundation Curling Event

Help Blaze Support Financial Well-being & Life Skills for Underserved Youth

The Blaze Foundation has held its annual fundraising event. We invite you to join us in improving the quality of life of the communities we serve.

photo of Kent Wipf presenting a check to Tackle Cancer on behalf of MFCA

Blaze Supports MFCA & Tackle Cancer Campaign

Blaze is excited to announce a partnership with the Minnesota Football Coaches Association and support of the Tackle Cancer campaign as part of Cancer Awareness month.

Brock Faber smiles next a Blaze Credit Union zamboni

Blaze Partners with Brock Faber

Blaze is pleased to announce a new partnership with Minnesota native and Minnesota Wild defenseman, Brock Faber.

Blaze associates pose for a photo at Second Harvest Heartland

Blaze Spreads Kindness as Part of CU Forward Day

Over 100 Blaze associates volunteered during the day, providing 190+ hours of volunteer work at five different Blaze non-profit partners.

Blaze Plymouth branch

Blaze Plymouth is Now Open

Blaze's newest branch is now open to serve members in the west metro and the Plymouth community.

photo of Blaze VP of Enterprise Risk Management Cassandra Sandstrom

Cassandra Sandstrom Named to ACUARP Risk Committee

Blaze VP of Enterprise Risk Management Cassandra Sandstrom has been appointed to the Association of Credit Union Audit & Risk Professionals (ACUARP) Risk Committee.

Blaze Proudly Awarded Best in Minnesota in five categories by the Star Tribune Readers' Choice Award Program

Blaze Named Minnesota's Best in Five Categories

Blaze has been named Minnesota’s Best in the 2024 Star Tribune Readers’ Choice Awards in five categories - Credit Union, Home Mortgage, Wealth Management, Customer Service-Financial Services, and Customer Service.

photo of Bridget Petersen

Bridget Petersen Named to Cooperative Network Board

Blaze AVP of Strategic Partnerships, Bridget Petersen, was recently appointed to the Cooperative Network’s Board of Directors.

2024 HERBIE Inclusive Employer Champion Award

Blaze Recognized with HERBIE Inclusion Award

Blaze has been honored with the 2024 HERBIE Award as the Inclusive Employer Champion by the Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce (SPACC) and Ramsey County.

Congratulations 2024 Scholarship Winners

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

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 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

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

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.

Christine Cordell, Sr. VP and Chief Project/Learning Officer

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.

Dave Boden, Blaze President/Chief Transformation Officer

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.

Dave Walters, Blaze VP of Consumer Lending

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.

Tara Graff, Blaze SVP/Chief Communications Officer

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.

Brian White, Blaze SVP/CIO

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

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.

Tina Jones receiving MAFCS Outstanding Friend Award

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).

Diamond Awards presentation stage

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).

Lisa Lehman, Blaze Vice President of Marketing

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. 

12U girl team from Princeton/Becker/Big Lake

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.

Circus Juventas performers at 2024 Annual Meeting

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.

Dan Stoltz receiving Credit Union House Hall of Leaders award

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.

Blaze Ambassadors with BestPrep leaders accepting $10K check

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.

Maureen Daly

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 supporting the educations aspirations of students in our communities

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.

Blaze Annual Meeting and Member Appreciation Day is on Saturday, February 24

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.

SPIRE and Hiway Credit Union are becoming Blaze Credit Union on January 1, 2024

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

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.

Justin Burleson

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.

SPIRE and Hiway Credit Union are becoming Blaze Credit Union on January 1, 2024

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.

Lisa Lehman

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.

Hiway employee enjoying curling

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.

SPIRE + Hiway Credit Union

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 logo

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.

Dora Maxwell and Desjardins Award Logos

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.

Brian Thomas May

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 to be named Minnesota's Best in Five Categories

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

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

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.

Blaze CEO Dan Stoltz

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

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

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

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

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.

StarTribune Top Workplaces 2023

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 associates and the 2023 HERBIE award

Hiway Awarded 2023 HERBIE

Hiway has been honored with the 2023 HERBIE Award (Business/Organization) by the Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce.

Blaze CEO Dan Stoltz

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.

Members of the SPIRE Board of Directors

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.

Jim Ganger

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.

Dave Boden

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

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 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. 

Diamond Awards with the Archie pickup truck in the background

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 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.

Justin Burleson

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.

Blaze CEO Dan Stoltz

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.