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Freedom Credit Union announces Maureen Buxton as Chicopee branch officer. October 7, 2026 Freedom Credit Union has announced that Maureen Buxton has joined the organization as branch officer at its Chicopee location. In her new role, Buxton will oversee branch operations and staff while ensuring members receive prompt, professional service. She will also support business development, sales and member relationship-building efforts and oversee the implementation of branch-level promotions and product initiatives. Buxton brings 34 years of banking experience to Freedom Credit Union. Most recently, she served as branch supervisor at New Valley Bank and Trust, where she oversaw branch operations and coached and mentored staff in both operations and sales. Previously, she was assistant branch manager and business specialist at Westfield Bank, focusing on deposit growth and business development while supporting branch operations and staff development. "I'm excited to return to working in Chicopee and join an organization that places such a strong emphasis on its members and the communities it serves," said Buxton. "I've built many professional and community connections in Chicopee over the years, and I look forward to reconnecting with those relationships while building new ones through Freedom Credit Union." "Maureen brings extensive banking experience, strong leadership skills and a genuine commitment to serving her community," said Glenn Welch, President and CEO of Freedom Credit Union. "We're pleased to welcome her to the Freedom team and know her experience will be a valuable asset to our Chicopee branch and its members." A longtime Chicopee resident, Buxton has been active in the community through a variety of volunteer and civic organizations.

Freedom Credit Union taps Salus to help attract Gen Z and millennial members. Massachusetts credit union also sees need for affordable microloans in underserved areas Charlotte, NC (September 3, 2026) | Freedom Credit Union, a $764 million Massachusetts-based institution serving the greater Springfield area, has partnered with Salus to launch automated microloans. The initiative reflects Freedom's strategic push to expand its offerings while attracting and retaining Gen Z and millennial members who are often drawn to fintechs. Freedom Credit Union's primary objective is to meet members where they are across every stage of their financial lives. For many members in Freedom's market, that means having access to small-dollar loans when they need them most and at a fair price. "In banking, everyone does the same thing: deposits, loans and services that spin off from those two things," Freedom Credit Union CFO Lee Craig said. "To appeal to these markets, you must position yourself as the connection between members and the adjacent financial services they seek. This product fits perfectly into that space." Freedom's Springfield market spans a range of economic circumstances, from higher-income suburban communities to areas of concentrated financial need where members currently have few to no good options for short-term borrowing. The microloan program is designed to serve both the next generation of members and other members in need of fast access to funds. "We're not doing this to make money," Craig added. "This is about planting seeds and building trust. The people who are going to use this product the most are members who may not need us for a major financial milestone yet. But when they do need a car loan or a transaction account, we want to be the institution they think of first because we helped them when others wouldn't." Freedom selected Salus in part because of the platform's existing integration with Freedom's core processor and strong references from fellow credit unions GFA Federal Credit Union and Metro Credit Union, both of which provided direct accounts of their implementation experiences. "Lee and his team are thinking about this the right way - as a long-term relationship builder, not a revenue line," Salus Founder/CEO James Chemplavil explained. "Gen Z and millennials want to be met where they are. A microloan at the right moment is how a credit union can earn decades of loyalty from a member who might otherwise never have walked through the door." Salus is the leading fintech provider helping credit unions meet members where they are and make them members for life. The founders leverage their decades of experience in credit and technology to continue developing new services to help credit unions drive financial inclusion. The firm offers microloans, credit risk analytics through its Sentinel service, Earned Wage Access and loan automation. To learn more, visit www.SalusFintech.com or schedule a meeting with the team here. Contact. Sarah Snell Cooke [email protected] Originally chartered in 1922 as the Western Massachusetts Telephone Workers Credit Union and renamed in 2004, Freedom Credit Union is a 10-branch, full-service financial institution. Today, membership is available to anyone who lives, works or attends school in Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin or Berkshire Counties. Offering a complete range of banking services and loan products, Freedom Credit Union has conveniently located branches in Chicopee, Easthampton, Feeding Hills, Greenfield, Ludlow, Northampton, Turners Falls, and three in Springfield, including the Roger L. Putnam Vocational Technical Academy branch. For more information, visit freedom.coop. LISA TWAROG Communications Director 413.787.1133 30 Capital Drive West Springfield, MA 01089 marketmentors.com Daily Credit Union News - Straight to Your Inbox Join thousands of credit union industry professionals who start their day with the latest news, events and technology supporting the credit union industry.