NEWARK, Ohio–TrueCore FCU has been recognized with the Payments Innovation Award during the EPCOR Payments Conference.
EPCOR President & CEO Brandie Thacker presented the 2025 Payments Innovation Award to Shani Smith-Reed on behalf of TrueCore Federal Credit Union in honor of the credit union’s implementation of its gamified financial literacy app, Zogo. TrueCore is the first Ohio adopter of this app, which was developed by Duke University, the organizations said.
Zogo rewards users for completing bite-sized lessons on intelligently saving, spending and managing their money. By completing modules, taking interactive five-question quizzes and participating in daily trivia games, users work toward real-life rewards. Participation earns the user points, which can be redeemed for gift cards to places like Amazon, Apple, Starbucks, Nike, Target, Walmart and more.
“By providing free access to our Zogo financial literacy app for both our members and the wider community, we effectively fulfill our organization’s mission of enriching our community,” said Smith-Reed, VP-marketing at TrueCore. “Empowering our neighborhood with financial education is instrumental to the success of our credit union and our community.”
Since its launch, TrueCore’s app has demonstrated significant engagement with over 1,524 active users and 53,465 completed activities, according to the organizations.
“While initially designed for youth members aged 13-18, Zogo has unexpectedly resonated with the credit union’s adult members. The average user age is 33, with the 25-40 age group comprising the largest segment at 30.18%, indicating a strong demand for accessible financial literacy resources across all age groups. Additionally, 74.29% of users do not have a four-year degree, the organizations said.
“TrueCore Federal Credit Union’s innovative partnership with Zogo exemplifies the power of technology to transform financial literacy and underscores the vital role financial institutions play as community partners,” said Thacker in a statement. “Especially during Financial Literacy Month, we are reminded of our collective responsibility to empower individuals with the knowledge they need to thrive. TrueCore’s commitment to making financial education accessible and engaging for all ages, particularly those who might not have traditional educational backgrounds, is truly commendable. This program not only empowers individuals but strengthens the entire community. We are proud to recognize TrueCore’s leadership in leveraging innovative payments solutions to drive positive social impact.”
The Payments Innovation Award recognizes individuals or organizations that have implemented innovative payments or risk management solutions.