CHICAGO —MSU Federal Credit Union, its digital banking brand AlumniFi, and debt-payoff app Changed hosted a financial planning event in Chicago aimed at helping residents set financial goals and develop strategies for reducing debt.
The Aug. 14 event, called “Mapped: A Financial Vision Night,” combined financial education with a creative workshop in which participants developed personalized vision boards outlining their financial goals, according to MSUFCU.
Participants used provided materials and crafting supplies to create the boards while receiving guidance on developing specific financial objectives. The event, held at MSUFCU’s Lyric 312 space, also included mocktails and food catered by Chicago restaurant Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba!
Khadiza Ali, growth lead at Chicago-based Changed, led the event. Changed is a debt-payoff app that was featured on ABC’s “Shark Tank” and is backed by investor Mark Cuban.
Before joining the fintech industry, Ali worked in humanitarian aid, leading community education initiatives for Rohingya refugees and local nongovernmental organizations in Bangladesh, according to MSUFCU.
‘Doesn’t Have to Feel Overwhelming’
“Financial planning doesn’t have to feel overwhelming or dry; it can be creative, inspiring, and deeply personal,” Ali said in a statement. “Whether the goal is paying off student loans, buying a home, or building an emergency fund, putting a visual map to those aspirations helps make them attainable.”
Ali said participants left the event with their vision boards as well as specific steps for working toward their financial goals and paying down debt.
“At MSUFCU and AlumniFi, we believe that financial wellness starts with community and accessible tools,” Arianna Ridderbusch, MSUFCU vice president of community impact, said in a statement. “Partnering with Changed for Mapped allowed us to welcome the Chicago community into our Lyric 312 space for an evening that combined real financial planning with a fun, supportive atmosphere.”
$25 Million Put Toward Debt
Changed allows users to round up everyday purchases and automatically apply the difference toward their loans. The company has helped send more than $25 million in payments toward users’ debt, according to information provided by MSUFCU.
AlumniFi is a digital-first banking brand created by MSUFCU that offers high-yield savings accounts, fee-free checking and digital financial tools. Deposits are federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration.
MSUFCU, headquartered in East Lansing, Michigan, was founded in 1937. The credit union reported more than 400,000 members, 35 branches, more than 1,200 employees and assets of more than $8.49 billion.
