2026 – 2028 STRATEGIC PLAN
Tom Knothe
CEO, Marine Credit Union
As we close out an incredible year, I want to take a moment to thank you for being part of our journey. Your trust and partnership inspire everything we do at MCU, and together, we’ve accomplished so much in 2025. We’re proud to share that MCU was certified as a Great Place to Work for the fourth year in a row, a recognition that reflects our commitment to creating an exceptional environment for both our members and our employees.
This year, we focused on improving the member experience in several ways. We introduced many new products designed to make your financial life easier and more rewarding, including Mechanical Breakdown Coverage, high-yield savings accounts, My Loan Rewards, and more. We also redesigned and updated our Financial Empowerment Centers, creating spaces that better serve your needs. Lastly, we enhanced our website to provide a more intuitive and seamless user experience, making it easier for you to access the tools and resources you need.
Beyond enhancing our member experience, our commitment to community has never been stronger. Through our Community Lead Team, we have partnered with many local organizations to help deepen our impact. In 2025, MCU employees dedicated nearly 2,000 volunteer hours to causes that matter most, and our MCU Foundation donated more than $180,000 to initiatives that strengthen the communities we call home. These efforts reflect who we are: a credit union that cares deeply about people.
Looking Ahead: Our 2026–2028 Strategic Plan
While we celebrate the past year, we’re even more excited about what’s ahead. Our new three-year strategic plan was built through thoughtful collaboration across teams and leadership, informed by member feedback, market insights, and our long-term vision. It’s a roadmap for where we’re headed and how we’ll get there together.
Our Vision:
To create a future where every member achieves lasting financial health through our servant-led, people-first approach.
Three Stakeholder Model:
We also reaffirmed and slightly updated our three-stakeholder model: MCU exists to meet the needs of its three stakeholders: employees, members, and communities. When we prioritize the well-being of our employees, we create a culture where people feel valued and supported. That care naturally extends to how our employees serve our members – with compassion, empathy, and excellence. And when our members are well-served, the communities that we serve grow stronger and more resilient.
While MCU has always considered its impact on the communities it serves, this new strategic plan elevates our communities to stakeholder status and includes several strategies to intentionally expand MCU’s impact in the communities it serves.
Our Four Strategic Goals
- MCU is an exceptional place to thrive.
We’re investing in employee growth and well-being to foster a culture of belonging, purpose, and opportunity. We will empower our employees to thrive and contribute beyond themselves. - MCU provides outstanding service to members and markets.
We aim to deepen relationships, especially with low- to moderate-income members, to advance not only their financial health but to positively impact the communities that they live in. - MCU is an essential partner in its communities.
We will be viewed as a trusted and essential community partner in each of the markets we serve as a result of the MCU Foundation, being a certified Great Place to Work, our investment in facilities, and through our philanthropy, volunteerism, and financial education. - MCU is growing and set up for long-term sustainability.
We will focus on operational excellence and sustainable growth, which will allow us to re-invest in our members through financial education and accessible financial solutions.
This plan isn’t just about goals; it’s about creating meaningful impact. Together, we’ll build a future where every member thrives.
Thank you for being part of MCU. Here’s to an exciting year ahead!