Community Relations Intern

Lake Michigan Credit Union opens first Detroit Branch. Lake Michigan Credit Union (LMCU) is proud to announce the grand opening of its first Detroit branch, located at 2715 Woodward Ave in the heart of downtown's The District Detroit. As LMCU's 74th branch overall, their 52nd in Michigan, and 9th in Southeast Michigan specifically, this new location is a landmark step in LMCU's commitment to meaningful expansion within the region. Offering a full suite of financial services that spans checking, savings, mortgages, business banking, and beyond, the credit union's 1,807-strong team is excited to join the Detroit community. Amidst great neighbors like Little Caesars Arena and the Mike Ilitch School of Business, LMCU's Woodward branch has big plans to show Detroit's businesses and families alike just why they'll love banking with the state's largest credit union. During its 93-year tenure, LMCU has made a name for itself across Michigan and Florida by helping its 645,000+ members earn more when they save and pay less when they borrow, which led the credit union to be named #1 in the nation by Callahan & Associates in 2024, 2025, and 2026 for keeping more money in those members' pockets. "I'm really looking forward to helping Detroiters grow their money," said Byron Sanders, LMCU's Branch Manager for the new Downtown Detroit location. "Whether it's our award-winning Max Checking account, our HomeAssist down payment assistance program, or our new selection of small business loans, LMCU is here to help make those little wins, big financial dreams, and major life milestones more accessible." Establishing new business relationships is of especial interest to LMCU, as the credit union also offers fullservice business banking services, including checking accounts, credit cards, treasury management, insurance, and loans of all sizes. LMCU's local lending experts have already financed $150 million in loans for Southeast Michigan businesses, with plans to empower even more local businesses with the help of products like their fast-approval Lightning Loans and specialized small business loans for financing new equipment, machinery, or vehicles. "At LMCU, we treat our business partnerships as community investments, which leads to huge ripple effects," said Ruben Alfaras, LMCU's Director of SBA Lending. "We're helping business owners take their dreams to the next level, but we're also helping create jobs and strengthen the communities we serve, which is all part of LMCU's mission." According to LMCU's President & CEO, Julie Leonard, the credit union's commitment to community investment extends far beyond its approach to business banking. Leonard highlighted LMCU's philanthropic contributions, totaling $4 million last year alone, as well as her team's culture of giving back. "The recent stat we're most proud of is the 14,608 volunteer hours LMCU employees spent at over 385 nonprofits in 2025," Leonard said. "By offering every team member paid volunteer time and connecting its staff with volunteer opportunities in their neighborhoods, Lake Michigan Credit Union has cultivated a culture that doesn't just care but also has a blast building communities together. "Now, as we enter Detroit, we're eager to keep that momentum going," she continued. "We've already partnered with local leaders at the 2026 Detroit Policy Conference, joined the Detroit Housing Commission's Preferred Mortgage Lenders list, and helped inspire future teachers at Wayne State University's recent Educators Rising conference. Making a difference is an everyday driver for us, so we look forward to showing our new neighbors what the LMCU difference can do for them, their community, and the whole city." Any resident of Michigan or Florida can become a member of LMCU for just $5. Through June 30, 2026, LMCU will donate $10 to Methodist Children's Home Services for each new account opened at their Downtown Detroit Branch.

LMCU hires stephany Stowell as mortgage loan officer for Southwest michigan region. Lake michigan credit union (LMCU) is pleased to share their hiring of stephany Stowell as a mortgage loan officer serving the credit union's Southwest michigan region. Stowell brings over 30 years of real estate and mortgage industry experience to LMCU, as well as deep market knowledge, a hands-on approach, and a commitment to helping homebuyers in Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, South Haven, and St. Joseph achieve their homeownership dreams with confidence. In this role, Stowell will connect prospective buyers with LMCU's competitive rates and personalized mortgage products to make the process as streamlined and affordable as possible. LMCU Mortgage Sales Manager, Alexis Howard, spoke highly of how Stowell's passion for building authentic relationships will make her a lender Southwest Michiganders can trust. "Stephany understands that purchasing a home is one of the biggest financial decisions our members will ever make, so she makes it her goal to guide them with clarity and honesty," Howard said. "For her, it isn't just about numbers: it's about building trust and empowering members to take that first step with confidence." Stowell furthered this point, emphasizing the importance of learning about the human behind the mortgage. "I genuinely enjoy working with homebuyers, because helping someone embark on the path to homeownership is just so meaningful," Stowell said. "Every buyer has a unique story, and I love being a part of that journey - educating them, easing their worries, and celebrating their wins."

From Lake Michigan to Lake saint clair: how LMCU is making a splash in Southeast Michigan. March 23, 2026 05:00 AM EDT When the business world is full of big, faceless banks, AI agents and depersonalized transactions, "people working with people" becomes a message that really resonates - and it's why a financial institution like Lake Michigan Credit Union (LMCU) has been steadily winning new business members and lifelong fans alike, even well into its nineties. Headquartered in Grand Rapids, with 51 Michigan branches and 22 in Florida, LMCU is preparing to open its first Detroit branch this spring. This means LMCU's 1,807-strong team has big plans to show the city's businesses and families just why they'll love banking with a credit union. A credit union that means business. The perks of a credit union membership are easy to communicate: Because credit unions like LMCU are not-for-profit institutions owned by their members rather than their shareholders, they can offer higher interest rates on their savings products and lower interest rates on their loans, all while reinvesting more money into the communities they serve. Better yet, any business owner who resides in Michigan can become an LMCU member without meeting any special requirements. All it takes is a $5 deposit. In return, business owners will find in LMCU a trusted partner that offers a full suite of business banking products - with local lenders that believe in getting to know the faces behind the business, rather than just the numbers in their account. A strong advocate for businesses big and small, LMCU is eager to help Detroit business owners obtain the capital they need to grow and prosper. The credit union's full-service, relationship-driven business banking solutions span from checking accounts, business credit cards, and insurance to commercial, SBA, and additional small business loan options. Beyond this, the credit union's Treasury Management team works to help businesses optimize cash flow, defend against fraud, and operate more efficiently. LMCU's arrival in Detroit will build off the lending presence the credit union has already established in the region. With over 75 years of industry experience between them, LMCU's team of local commercial & SBA lending experts have, to-date, financed $150 million in loans for Southeast Michigan businesses. In the past three years, LMCU has also introduced new loan products designed to help businesses of all sizes keep growing. This includes Lightning Loans, with fast online applications and approvals, as well as specialized small business loans for financing new equipment, machinery, and vehicles. This commitment to helping businesses expand through flexible and affordable lending solutions led LMCU to be named Michigan's 2024 Credit Union Lender of the Year by the United States Small Business Administration. "We see businesses differently at LMCU," says Ruben Alfaras, LMCU's Director of SBA Lending. "Treating our business partnerships as community investments leads to huge ripple effects. Not only are we able to help a lot of business owners take their dreams to the next level, but our hard work also helps create jobs and strengthen the communities we serve, which is all part of LMCU's mission." The LMCU difference. LMCU's people-centered service is good business, but it also guides everything they do. As Michigan's largest credit union, LMCU pairs the lending power and financial stability of a big bank with the personal, neighborly service of a credit union. "We love hearing our members say they feel treated like neighbors, not numbers," says LMCU's Chief Operating Officer, Sara Kemperman. "That's always been our goal - meeting people where they are, understanding what matters to them and helping them move forward towards their dreams and financial success." This neighborly approach extends far beyond LMCU's branches, too, as the credit union considers the communities they serve to be the heart of their mission. Originally called Grand Rapids Teachers Credit Union, LMCU was founded by Lloyd F. Hutt and a group of other school teachers in 1933 to help members weather the Great Depression. Hutt made community involvement one of the credit union's founding principles, and LMCU carries on Hutt's vision to this day. In 2025 alone, LMCU donated over $4 million to causes relevant to their four philanthropic pillars of education, housing, health & well-being, and economic inclusion. From raising money for pediatric research and kids' hunger relief, to annual scholarship programs, housing grants for under-resourced neighborhoods and financing for a new Latino Economic and Talent Development Center, LMCU believes in nurturing communities at their roots. This also includes investing in future business leaders. Whether it's the National Black and Latino Summit, Tampa's Mentoring Monday, or any of the credit union's nearly 200 annual community financial workshops, LMCU routinely sponsors events that prepare entrepreneurs and up-and-coming professionals to make waves in their industries. To LMCU's leader, though, the credit union's true impact can't be measured in dollars. "The recent stat we're most proud of is the 14,608 volunteer hours LMCU employees spent at over 385 nonprofits in 2025," says LMCU's President & CEO, Julie Leonard. "By offering every team member paid volunteer time and connecting our staff with volunteer opportunities in their neighborhoods, we've cultivated a culture that doesn't just care, but also has a blast building communities together." Keeping more money in members' pockets. When LMCU's team members aren't supporting businesses and helping their communities live better, they're working every day to help local families bank better, too. LMCU is rated by credit union research company Callahan & Associates as the best in its class for keeping more money in members' pockets. Whether they're earning more when they save or spending less when they borrow, LMCU members are empowered to achieve their financial dreams for a lifetime with the help of their high-yield Max Checking account, low-interest credit cards and home equity loans, and offerings like their 12+ specialty mortgage programs. LMCU is particularly interested in making housing more accessible and affordable. In today's ever-evolving housing market, LMCU seeks to show homebuyers just how possible owning a home can be by offering low rates and transparent, simplified service and down payment assistance for those who qualify. The whole nine yards for LMCU's ninth local branch. With eight branches in Southeast Michigan already, LMCU is looking forward to opening its first Detroit branch to expand the credit union's regional presence. This investment got off to a great start in the past year, as LMCU partnered with local leaders at the 2026 Detroit Policy Conference, joined the Detroit Housing Commission's Preferred Mortgage Lenders list, and sponsored the latest Educators Rising conference at Wayne State University. While finalized details on the credit union's new branch are still to come, LMCU's President & CEO is resolute about the impact her organization will make. "We're excited to partner with our neighbors and business owners in Detroit," Leonard concludes. "We want to be those fellow Michiganders who Detroiters can trust with their financial goals - the approachable experts you can come to and say, 'Here's my dream. Can we work together to make it happen?' Because our response every time will be, 'Let's take that first step, together.'" Staying current is easy with newsletters delivered straight to your inbox.