Our Core Values

Guided by our mission to provide financial advantages, Advia Credit Union proudly serves the financial needs of members throughout Michigan, Wisconsin, and Illinois.

Our dedicated team and operating principles uphold our core values of acting with integrity, driving progress, building and strengthening relationships, and keeping people at the core.

Act with Integrity
Drive Progress
Build and Strengthen Relationships
Keep People at the Core

Real Advantages for Real People.™

Advia Credit Union’s central philosophy is to conduct business in ways that benefit others in terms of financial advantages.

We define “real advantages” as competitive deposit and loan rates as well as low-cost financial tools that help members save money. We continually invest in new digital technology with the goal of helping people save time. We are driven to expand our geographic footprint to help more individuals, families, and businesses throughout our defined field of membership have access to competitive financial services. And finally, we are committed to giving back to those we serve and in our communities through volunteerism, sponsorships, grants, and donations.

We consider “real people” as just that – the everyday people we know, serve, and employ. It includes area individuals, families, and businesses. It includes our team and vendor partners. And it includes embracing a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture which celebrates those with varying income levels, educational and cultural backgrounds, age differences, religious beliefs, ethnic and racial diversity, and all gender and sexual orientations.

Our core values provide the foundation for our team culture and brand attributes which uniquely separate us in the marketplace by delivering exceptional convenience and service experience.

Every business decision we make rests within the framework of these values. Furthermore, when external economic, cultural, societal, and political forces bring into question how we respond as an organization, we look to these for guidance. To say “our core values mean everything to us” is an understatement.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

At Advia Credit Union, we are committed to creating a diverse community of members, volunteers, and staff.

Learn More

Act with Integrity

Holding ourselves accountable to doing what’s right.

Hiring and training the right people for the job – those committed to improving our organizational culture and living our mission of providing financial advantages for those we serve.

Fair and equitable operational practices - including adherence to Equal Opportunity Lending standards, and unbiased treatment of members, team, and community partners.

Being honest and transparent in our business decisions, service pricing, products, and member disclosures.

Careers

Drive Progress

Forward thinking, being spirited in delivering extraordinary solutions.

Engaging a spirit of innovation – being proactive rather than reactive in developing new digital service tools, both for our membership and for our infrastructure.

24-Hour Access Read Our Blog

Build and Strengthen Relationships

Being the best of who we are by connecting with others around us.

Being visible and active within our communities through volunteerism (committing up to 16 hours each year of paid time for full-time team members to volunteer locally).

Engaging in local sponsorships, financial literacy initiatives, and Advia Foundation Advancing Lives Grants each year in all communities we serve.

Identifying members who have opportunity to save money by transferring higher interest rate loans from other financial institutions, regularly saving $3,000 or more on average over the life of the loan transferred.1

Keep People at the Core

Delivering extraordinary service.

Surveying our members regularly following branch, phone, and digital service interactions to look for better ways to meet their needs.

Engaging our team in regular training regarding cultural diversity, equity, and inclusion; and creating an environment for both our team and members to feel recognized and respected for their unique characteristics and differences.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

At Advia Credit Union, we are committed to creating a diverse community of members, volunteers, and staff. We accomplish this by welcoming and serving everyone regardless of distinctions. The value of diversity provides Advia with the opportunity to both represent and engage the whole of our community.

We see the advantages of celebrating differences and we are stronger as a result. As a not-for-profit financial cooperative, our commitment begins with our membership. Our team is as diverse as our members and the communities we serve. We are made up of people with different backgrounds and perspectives. As one team, we continue to grow stronger. We encourage open and honest conversation, collaboration, and understanding.

As part of our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, Advia Credit Union is dedicated to:

Developing an Amazing Team
We seek and recruit the most talented staff within multiple regions and provide equitable training and leadership development opportunities. We are committed to a culture where our staff know they are part of a team – and that they belong, are encouraged to honor their uniqueness, and provide a vital role in our mission of providing financial advantages for our members. Additionally, our entire team undergoes DEI related training initiatives at time of new hire and annually to help strengthen our understanding and celebration of unique differences.

Investment in Our Communities
Our community investments address local education and financial insecurities in an attempt to build positivity and momentum toward acceptance of others. Advia Foundation’s Advancing Lives Grant Program encourages individuals and organizations to propose projects that will improve the quality of life in our service areas. Individuals and not-for-profit organizations meeting approved criteria may apply for grants (up to $10,000) awarded for advancing lives in our communities. Advia is a proud supporter of organizations such as (in alphabetical order): A Beautiful Me, American Red Cross, Care4Breast Cancer, Children’s Miracle Network, Dementia Friendly Initiative, Habitat for Humanity, Haven of Rest, Head Start, Home of the Sparrow, Hunter Hospitality House, Independence Health, KYD Network, March of Dimes, Michigan CIS, One Million Monarchs, Parchment Schools, Plainwell TeenServe, Primary Focus with Provided Help Association, Rock County Community Connections, Seeds of Hope, United Way of McHenry County, Sanborn Gratiot Memorial Home, Thurgood Marshall College Fund, WMU Theatre Guild, Wheatland Music, Woodstock Theatre 121, Woodstock Fine Arts Association, and many more.

Why We Recognize and Include Pronouns in Our Email Signatures
To foster a sense of inclusivity, and reduce anxiety for all, we continually look for ways to break down barriers and provide the best level of service. We have conversations every day with our members, industry partners, and other team members via email, chat, and phone calls. In these situations, it can sometimes be difficult to know who we’re speaking with.

When our employees make the personal choice to include their preferred gender pronouns within their messaging channel, it allows others to clearly know with whom they are speaking, avoid any awkward exchange, and provide a greater sense of comfort for all.

To quote Emily O’Hara, “pronouns are basically how we identify ourselves apart from our name; it’s how someone refers to you in conversation.” As an organization that values keeping people at the core, this is simply another way we honor that commitment.

  1. Average 2020 member savings. Loans subject to approval.