NEWSLETTER | January 1, 2026 | ISSUE 118 |
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A Message from Terry Burn, CEO Hello Everyone! And just like that...2025 is over, and we’re welcoming in a brand-new year!
2025 was a year of change for Northwoods Credit Union. Perhaps the biggest was our transition to a new CEO. After 7 years as CEO, Doug Wolf decided to retire at the end of 2025. He left his CEO position in May but stayed on through the end of the year to give the new CEO some guidance. I greatly appreciated it. I would like to thank Doug for his leadership and vision over the past 7 years. He has truly made a lasting impact on the future of Northwoods Credit Union. Enjoy your retirement! You earned it!
The financial world is changing at an ever-faster pace as new technology and services come online. In 2026, Northwoods Credit Union will be focusing on staying ahead of those changes to make banking with Northwoods as convenient as possible. Over the next year, you can expect enhancements to our website and mobile app. We will also be upgrading our system to make it easier to integrate your favorite financial applications with Northwoods.
Even though we are embracing new technologies and services, I want to assure you that we, as a staff, will not forget what got us to where we are now. We will always strive to offer the best member service experience possible. Making true connections with our members and being engaged in our communities will always be a priority.
I hope you were fortunate enough to have your holiday season be a joyous one, filled with good memories. At the same time, let’s remember that the holidays can be a challenge for some. Here’s to wishing a Happy 2026 to everyone! Sincerely, |
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| – Terry Burn President/CEO |
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Celebrating 90 Years of Serving the Northland🥳 |
In 2026, Northwoods Credit Union will proudly celebrate its 90th anniversary — nearly a century of helping our neighbors reach their goals, supporting local businesses, and standing alongside the communities we call home. What began in 1936 as a small group of dedicated mill employees pooling their resources has grown into a long-standing, member-owned credit union rooted deeply in the Northland’s spirit of cooperation. Throughout the year, you’ll see special 90th-anniversary stickers and signage at all our branches as we honor the generations of members who have trusted us along the way. These touches are small reminders of a big milestone and of the shared history we’ve built together.
Thank you for being part of our story. Here’s to celebrating the past, strengthening our communities today, and building an even brighter future together. |
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2026 Election for the Board of Directors |
There are (2), 3–year terms on the Northwoods Credit Union Board of Directors up for election in 2026, and the process for being placed on the ballot has begun. The two seats up for election are currently held by our Board of Directors, Larry Champeaux and Christine Ringat. Our Bylaws provide that there are no nominations from the floor of the annual meeting if there is at least one nominee for each position up for election. If you wish to be placed into nomination by the Nominating Committee, you must follow the process outlined below.
The Nominating Committee is currently accepting applications for nomination through 5:00pm on January 16, 2026 (the application form can be found on our website). The form will ask you for a statement of qualifications and biographical data. You can submit your application by completing it online through the Board of Directors page and clicking submit.
If you would like an alternative way of completing the application, please email [email protected]. Should you miss the 1/16/2026 deadline for submitting your application for nomination to the Nominating Committee, you will have the option to be placed on the ballot by petition signed by at least 1% of the membership (the deadline for submission of a nominating petition is 3/26/2026).
More information about the nomination by petition process will be provided to the members in February 2026 at our offices. |
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Personalized Medicare Assistance |
We've teamed up with the TruLync Medicare experts to create a better experience for members as they approach this milestone. Have questions regarding Medicare? We've got your back. There is no charge for their service, and they represent multiple insurance companies, providing you with access to options that are in your best interest. |
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Northwoods Retirement & Investment Services |
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| Ed Grondahl - Financial Advisor |
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Set Strong 2026 Goals Using Our Free Online Calculators |
Kick off 2026 with confidence using our free, easy-to-use financial calculators! Whether you're planning for a big purchase or mapping out your savings goals, our tools make it simple to see your potential payments in just seconds. No cost, no hassle — just helpful insights right on our website. Here’s a look at what you can explore:
Auto & Recreational Loan Calculator: Quickly estimate monthly payments for your next truck, snowmobile, ATV, or UTV. Personal Loan Calculator: See your monthly payment and total interest instantly based on your loan amount, rate, and term. Share Certificate Calculator: Project how your savings can grow with our competitive rates. Debt Consolidation Calculator: Easily find out if consolidating debt into one monthly payment makes sense for you. Your 2026 goals are just a click away! We offer many additional free calculators on our website, giving you quick answers for nearly any financial question.
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It's been an eventful end of 2025 at the credit union. Our staff was happy to participate in local events all over the area. Keep up with happenings at our always-updated news & announcements page! |
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YOUR SOURCE FOR NCU UPDATES
We have a news and announcements page on our website that's full of helpful financial blogs & tips, NCU news and events, as well as previous newsletters and annual meeting videos in full. Check it out now! STORING YOUR VEHICLE?
Are you putting your collateral into storage for the winter? If yes, please contact Loan Support to make sure we get your loan flagged properly so you don’t get collateral protection insurance added to the loan.
PROTECT YOUR NCU ACCOUNT NEVER give out your online banking password or Member ID.
If you realize someone may have gotten this information, please call us immediately to reset your password and check your account. To learn more about fraud prevention and actionable tips, read our blog post.
SNOWBIRDS Please remember to change your address when leaving the area during winter.
ACCOUNT CHECK-UP As we kick off a fresh year, it’s the perfect time to review your account information. Take a moment to connect with an MSR to confirm who is listed as Joint Owner(s) and Beneficiaries on your account.
Ensure we have your current phone number and email address. Staying up-to-date helps us serve you better and keep your account secure! PAPER STATEMENT FEE
Accounts that receive a paper statement will be charged a $3.00 fee per statement. This excludes those members who are age 65 and over and members who are 17 and younger. If you'd like to opt-in to receiving your statement electronically, you can sign up for free e-statements within your online banking, or with any of our MSRs. |
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Get Ready for Tax Season: Easy Access to Your Year-End Documents |
Tax season is right around the corner, and we want to make gathering your financial information as simple as possible. Northwoods CU members have multiple easy ways to access the details they need—whether you're looking for a quick summary or official tax forms. View Your Year-to-Date (YTD) Interest Anytime
You can now find a helpful Year-to-Date Summary in both Online Banking and the Mobile App. This feature allows you to quickly see: ✔️ Dividends on your share accounts ✔️ Interest paid on your loans ✔️ A clear, at-a-glance total to help with tax prep and budgeting |
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Access Your 1099 and 1098 Tax Forms Online Gathering your official tax documents is easy.
Members will still receive their 1099-INTs and 1098s with their December statements, but you can also access these forms at any time through Online Banking: How to retrieve your tax forms: ✔️ Log in to Online Banking ✔️ Navigate to the Document Types section ✔️ Use the dropdown to select 1099-INT or 1098 ✔️ Download or view your form instantly (Forms will appear once they are generated for the tax year.) We hope these tools make your tax preparation easier and more convenient this year! |
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A new year brings new possibilities! If a move, upgrade, or first home is part of your 2026 plans, now is the perfect time to start preparing. Whether you're dreaming of more space, a different neighborhood, or the chance to finally make homeownership your reality, our local mortgage team is here to guide you every step of the way.
From understanding your budget to getting mortgage-ready, we’ll help you build a clear path toward your goals. Planning ahead today means more confidence tomorrow—and when you're ready, Northwoods Credit Union will be ready too. Reach out anytime to start mapping out your home-buying journey! |
*Not all applicants will qualify. Membership eligibility required. Insured by NCUA. NCU is an Equal Housing Opportunity Lender. |
Join us in celebrating our 2025 Northwoods Credit Union Employee of the Year, Dianne! |
Dianne is part of the NCU Mortgage Department at our Avenue B branch in Cloquet, MN. She is known for her dedication, compassion, and commitment to helping members feel confident and supported throughout the mortgage process.
Thank you, Dianne, for bringing positivity to our team and for exemplifying the SPICE values each day here at Northwoods Credit Union! |
We're proud to support the following organizations during the past year through our donations committee, sponsorships, and community support. We're thankful for the communities we serve & where we live |
$72,210.24 was given in 2025! |
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A printed version of this newsletter is available in our lobby and on our website at www.northwoodscu.org |
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1702 Avenue B
Cloquet, MN 55720 Federally Insured by NCUA. Membership Eligibility Required. NCU is an Equal Housing Opportunity Lender.
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