Ideal Credit Union Celebrates 100 Years with New Branch Member Celebrations and Community Giving

Woodbury, MN. September 8, 2026 – Ideal Credit Union celebrated its 100th anniversary on August 26, 2026, honoring a century of helping members achieve financial success and supporting the communities it serves. The milestone was recognized with month-long festivities throughout August, providing opportunities for members, employees, and community partners to celebrate this historic achievement together.

Founded in 1926 by a small group of St. Paul postal workers looking for a better way to bank, Ideal has grown from a small cooperative into one of Minnesota’s leading credit unions. Through a century of change, the idea at its foundation has remained simple: people helping people.

“At Ideal Credit Union, we believe better banking can help people live better lives,” said Brian Sherrick, president and CEO of Ideal Credit Union. “That belief is at the heart of what we call Living the Ideal Life: helping our members build the financial confidence to make the most of their money and work toward what matters most to them, whether that’s buying a home, starting a business or planning for the future.”

Today, Ideal serves over 48,000 members at now, seven branch locations in Minnesota and western Wisconsin and through digital banking, continuing to evolve around how members want to bank.

“We’ve thrived for 100 years because we’ve continued to evolve with our members and find new ways to serve them,” Sherrick said. “That’s what makes me so excited about our future. As we look ahead to what’s next, we’re also taking this moment to celebrate this milestone with members, employees and communities who have been part of Ideal’s journey.” 

100 Years Strong and Growing
New Blaine branch opens during Ideal’s centennial month

Ideal Credit Union marked its centennial year with the opening of its new Blaine branch, expanding the credit union’s presence in the growing north metro community.

Ideal leaders, employees and community partners gathered August 12 to officially open the new location at 10777 Austin St. NE. The branch brings personal service, financial expertise and digital capabilities together in a modern location designed to meet the evolving needs of members and the Blaine community.

The Blaine opening reflects Ideal’s continued growth and investment in how and where it serves members. It was one of several highlights marking the credit union’s centennial throughout August.

100 Years of Giving Back
$7,000 donated to organizations meeting critical needs

Ideal Community Foundation contributed $7,000 to seven local food shelves, supporting an organization in each community where Ideal has a branch location. 

The seven nonprofit recipients are:

• Blaine: Hope for the Community
• Eagan: The Open Door
• Hugo: Hugo Good Neighbors Food Shelf
• Inver Grove Heights: Neighbors Inc.
• North St. Paul: North St Paul Food Shelf
• Stillwater: Valley Outreach
• Woodbury: Open Cupboard Feeding Our Community

Dedicated to creating lasting community impact, the Ideal Credit Union Foundation works to improve lives across Minnesota by addressing food insecurity, housing instability, and youth mental health challenges. By investing in local nonprofit organizations and community initiatives, the Foundation helps build stronger, healthier, and more resilient communities. 

A Centennial Thank You to Members 
Nearly $12,000 in cash prizes throughout August 

Members shared in the celebration with the chance to win cash prizes throughout August. Ideal awarded nearly $12,000 in cash prizes through daily $100 drawings and special $1,000 prize drawings. It’s a thank you to the community of members across every branch who have helped make Ideal what it is today. 

Celebrating 100 Years Together 
Centennial Member Appreciation event 

Ideal welcomed members to its North St. Paul branch August 15 for a special centennial Member Appreciation event featuring food, music, activities and cash prizes. Members also joined in the spirit of giving, contributing food, coats and accessories to support seven local food shelves, plus the Twin Cities Salvation Army. 

The event capped a month of celebrating with the members, employees and communities who have been part of Ideal’s journey.   

As Ideal enters its second century, the focus remains on what has always mattered most: its members. Ideal will continue to grow alongside the communities it serves, providing the trusted financial partnership that helps members achieve their goals and live the Ideal Life. 

Hope for the Community Receives $1,000 Donation from Ideal Credit Union
(Left to right) Jane Hennen, Vice President of Marketing at Ideal Credit Union; Dr. Alan Goracke, President and Founder of Hope for the Community; and Brian G. Sherrick, President and CEO of Ideal Credit Union. 

Valley Outreach, Stillwater, MN Receives $1,000 Donation from Ideal Credit Union
(Left to right) Jay Hall, Senior Vice President of Member Experience; and Jess Hauser, Director of Communications & Development Valley Outreach. 

Neighbors Inc. Receives $1,000 Donation from Ideal Credit Union
(Left to right) Queenie Kong Lead Teller at Ideal Credit Union’s Inver Grove Heights Branch; Wyatt Luchtenburg Branch Manager at Ideal Credit Union’s Inver Grove Heights Branch; Andrew Hoffman, Director of Community Partnerships at Neighbors, Inc.; and Maria Kincade, Member Service Representative at Ideal Credit Unions Inver Grove Heights Branch. 

North St Paul Food Shelf Receives $1,000 Donation from Ideal Credit Union
(Left to right) Craig Spreiter, Ideal Credit Union Board Vice Chairman; James Mosner, Ideal Credit Union Board Director; Brian G. Sherrick, President and CEO of Ideal Credit Union; Peter Olsen, Ideal Credit Union Board Chairman; Kathy Kirchoff of North St Paul Food Shelf; and Christine Volkers, Ideal Credit Unions Board Secretary. 

Hugo Good Neighbors Food Shelf Receives $1,000 Donation from Ideal Credit Union
(Left to right) Jessica McElhatton, Teller Supervisor at Ideal Credit Union; Jay Hall, Senior Vice President of Experience at Ideal Credit Union; Cara Anderson, Coordinator at Hugo Good Neighbors Food Shelf; and Nash Shoker, Branch Manager at Ideal Credit Union Hugo Branch office. 

The Open Door Food Shelf Receives $1,000 Donation from Ideal Credit Union
(Left to right) Tara Lashley, Director of Development and Communications at The Open Door; and Kelly Webb, Branch Manager at Ideal Credit Union’s Eagan Office.   

Open Cupboard Receives $1,000 Donation from Ideal Credit Union
(Left to right) Jane Hennen, Vice President of Marketing at Ideal Credit Union; Jessica Francis, Executive Director Open Cupboard; and Jay Hall, Senior Vice President of Member Experience of Ideal Credit Union.