QUNICY, ILL. – With a field of membership serving mostly rural areas with limited access to services and infrastructure in Missouri and Illinois, the $125-million United Community Credit Union has identified a strategy that has significantly boosted lending volume.
In fact, by mid-2025 UCCU was reporting loan volume had increased over one year earlier by 48.2%.
“We had big loan growth in January (2025) and it has never stopped,” CEO Sarah Distin said in a statement. “That’s very unusual.”
How UCCU was able to increase lending is being featured here as part of the CU Daily’s Profitability Imperative series.
The 10,434-member United Community Credit Union is crediting the growth to having given members the flexibility to choose their own due date and payment schedule, and pointed to how inflation has continued to erode the purchasing power of individuals and families and the squeeze many families are feeling.
Payments Aligned With Cash Flows
UCCU reported that it allows its members to align their payments with their cash flow, reducing the stress of meeting rigid deadlines, especially when expenses fluctuate due to rising costs. Paying weekly, or according to one’s preference, can help with managing budgets, avoiding large lump-sum payments that might put a strain on one’s finances, the credit union said.
In March of 2025, UCCU paid more than $125,000 in interest rebates and bonus dividends to its members in the form of deposits to savings accounts. It’s a reminder that credit unions are supposed to be “not for profit,” Distin said.
“There are other larger credit unions where their return on assets are insane. Their philosophy is to be a bank,” she said. “We felt it was the best time to give back to our membership.”
Stepping In to Help
UCCU said it steps in when members struggle to pay their bills. Where other financial institutions refuse to make small dollar loans, UCCU said it offers quick approval and funding online, and it noted members can also refinance their auto loans from another lender and save up to two percentage points on the loan’s APR.
The credit union’s ran an auto loan campaign during 2025 that asked, “Inflation Got You Down?”, that was created by Your Marketing Co., and which used the visual metaphor of an over inflated tire about to bust to symbolize the financial strain many are feeling.
“United Community Credit Union is firing on all cylinders, consistently expanding their reach and deepening member relationships,” YMC CEO Bo McDonald said in a statement. “Their ability to successfully market themselves has led to steady growth in loan origination and increased wallet share – expanding their reach and deepening member relationships.”
‘People are Discovering Us’
During 2026, UCCU opened a 9,000-square-foot headquarters that is centrally located in Quincy that includes three drive thru lanes with an ATM that accepts deposits. It also added technology upgrades that it said will better serve staff and members.
“People are discovering us,” Distin said. “We’re getting our name out there, and when we get a new member, we’re matching the service they expect. In today’s world, people find that valuable.”
