Financial Plus Credit Union values its knowledgeable employees

For more than 70 years, Financial Plus Credit Union has served the Illinois Valley and surrounding communities with financial services.

And it was an honor to have readers choose Financial Plus Credit Union as the Best Credit Union, Financial Institution, and Mortgage Lender, said Director of Marketing Lee Wilkins. As a credit union, the team at Financial Plus makes service a top priority, whether through in-person banking at one of its five locations or online banking any time, day or night.

Having a trusted voice to answer member questions was a priority, Wilkins explained. When Financial Plus opened a call center to fill that need, it made the decision to staff the call center with existing credit employees to provide the most helpful call response possible.

“We chose to use a pool of existing employees who already know our services and understand our members’ needs,” Wilkins said.

At Financial Plus Credit Union, it’s not unusual for staff to spend most of their career with the institution. Wilkins said several team members can boast of having worked for the credit union for multiple decades, even a few with 30 or more years. The current CEO Peter Fauth started with the credit union as a teller, working his way through the ranks of the credit union leadership.

Having a familiar face at the credit union locations is important to the members. Financial Plus Credit Union has served multiple generations of families, providing financial services for every stage of life.

“We believe in personal service to help members with every aspect possible for their financial wellbeing,” Wilkins said.

Financial Plus Credit Union opened its first institution in 1951, serving union employees of Libbey Owens Ford Glass Company as the Glass Workers Credit Union. In 1988, it became Financial Plus Credit Union, as it changed to a community charter.

Today, it has more than 43,000 members. Membership is open to anyone who lives or works in their 10-county field of membership with locations in Ottawa, Peru, Mendota, Morris, and Diamond.

Financial Plus offers financial services for all ages and needs, including programs for the youngest members with their Wiley Wabbit Club for newborns through age 9, as well as the TNT Club for ages 10 through 19. Financial Plus Credit Union also offers financial literacy education for all ages, including classroom presentations for schools to provide financial literacy to students.

Community involvement is important for the staff at Financial Plus Credit Union. In 2024, Financial Plus Staff participated in more than 60 events in the community, volunteering more than 1,500 hours back to their communities, helping with community events, and assisting organizations in need.

“Giving back to our communities and members is an important part of what we do to see our communities succeed,” Wilkin said.