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Category: Accomplishments

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Common Core Marketing Becomes Hubspot Solutions Partner

Common Core Marketing (CCM) is proud to announce its official partnership with HubSpot, the world-leading provider of marketing, sales, and customer service software. With this strategic partnership, CCM has become a certified HubSpot Solutions Partner to help businesses achieve their goals.

CCM leverages “RevOps” strategies—a combination of Revenue Operations and Inbound Methodology—utilizing the latest tools from HubSpot to increase lead generation, conversion rates, and nurture relationships with customers. Through HubSpot admin and development services, CCM provides cutting-edge digital solutions tailored for today’s ever-evolving business landscape.

By solving complex problems through the HubSpot platform, Common Core Marketing helps companies grow by providing an excellent customer experience across all channels. The company continues to strive towards becoming one of the leading providers of digital solutions for businesses around the country.

About Common Core Marketing:

Common Core Marketing is a premier provider of digital solutions focusing on RevOps strategies that combine Revenue Operations with Inbound Methodology tools from HubSpot. Their mission is to build custom digital experiences that drive customer engagement and accelerate growth for businesses worldwide. From lead generation campaigns to website design and beyond—they provide comprehensive end-to-end support for any business looking to unlock their true potential online using HubSpot.

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Wisconsin ESL Institute puts out call for host families

MADISON (WKOW) — The Wisconsin ESL Institute (WESLI) is looking for host families for their international students this summer.

14- to 17-year-old international students will be visiting Wisconsin to study English and do fun activities like going to local festivals, visiting Devil’s Lake State Park and kayaking.

But, when the kids aren’t learning and having fun, they’ll need a place to stay, so WESLI is looking for host families.

“As a homestay, your job would just be to welcome them home after their activities in the afternoon, usually around five or six and then eat dinner together as a family and hang out and then make sure they have a safe place to sleep,” Maija Sikora, WESLI Housing and Activities Coordinator, said.

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WPS Health Insurance® is the No. 1 choice for Medicare supplement insurance in Wisconsin

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
DeAnne Boegli
Vice President of Communications
608-512-5754
deanne.boegli@wpsic.com

WPS Health Insurance® is the No. 1 choice for Medicare supplement insurance in Wisconsin

MADISON, Wis.—May 25, 2023—With more than 60,000 customers across Wisconsin, WPS Health Insurance has earned the top spot to become the state’s most popular Medicare supplement insurance, according to 2022 enrollment data submitted to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). As the company’s Medicare supplement insurance grows in popularity in 24 other states across the country, it is once again the first choice for people in the insurer’s home state.

“We’ve been selling Medicare supplement insurance in Wisconsin since the Medicare program began in 1966. In this competitive market, being the top-selling company is a huge accomplishment. This wouldn’t be possible without the support and collaboration of our valued business partners and agency allies,” said Thomas Spelsberg, Vice President of Medicare Market Solutions. “It’s also proof that our personal service and the attention we give each customer makes a real difference. Our customers are the best.”

Medicare supplement insurance helps customers pay for costs left over after Medicare pays its share for covered medical services. The plans are available anytime during the year to Wisconsin residents who have Original Medicare or during Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period for those with a Medicare Advantage plan who want to switch to Original Medicare.

Medicare supplement insurance plans from WPS Health Insurance offer a variety of coverage options for Medicare beneficiaries plus special programs and services. Most plans include fitness and wellness programs, and all plans come with vision and hearing programs, with the option to purchase dental coverage.

Enrollment data submitted to NAIC shows UnitedHealth Group previously held the top spot for Medicare supplement insurance in Wisconsin but has now slipped to second place. Third place is currently held by Physicians Mutual Group; CVS Group is fourth; and American Enterprise Mutual Group is fifth.

About WPS Health Insurance

As one of the largest health benefits providers in Wisconsin, Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation (WPS Health Insurance) offers a variety of services and coverage with Preferred Provider Organization health plans for individuals and groups, third-party administrator services, and Medicare supplement insurance plans. The company is headquartered in Madison, Wis. Visit wpshealth.com for more information.

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Record attendance at Summit Fest – Summit Credit Union’s annual meeting

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 23, 2023

Media Contact:
Jason Waller
(608) 243-5000
publicrelations@summitcreditunion.com 

Record attendance at Summit Fest – Summit Credit Union’s annual meeting 
Wisconsin Cooperative celebrates members and announces big wins at annual meeting and member picnic   

MADISON, Wis. – Summit Credit Union again held a novel annual membership meeting and family event called Summit Fest, welcoming 3505 members on Sunday, May 22. This is the largest attendance recorded for Summit’s annual member appreciation event. Members and their families took part in kids’ obstacle races, enjoyed yard games, and spent a fun time together eating a Wisconsin summer cookout.  

“We grow when we add value to our members and this annual event is an opportunity to both celebrate our achievements and show our members how much we appreciate them,” said Summit Credit Union CEO & President Kim Sponem. “This year, we have seen a large growth in assets, the largest acquisition of a bank by a credit union in US history, and we are in the Top Workplaces for Madison, Milwaukee and the USA. There’s a lot for our employees and our members to celebrate.”  

The celebration offered a short business meeting and family-friendly entertainment at the local baseball stadium, The Duck Pond, Mallard’s Stadium at Warner Park, Madison. Attractions at Summit Fest also included a diaper dash for toddlers, free mini cupcakes with the chance to win $10 to pay-it-forward, and the return of an employee-led cover band playing songs by an array of artists from The Blues Brothers to Taylor Swift to Queen.

Annual board meeting 

During the board meeting, Summit Credit Union’s 2022 successes were noted and included the following:  

  • The acquisition of Commerce State Bank. This is the largest acquisition of a bank by a credit union in US history. With this acquisition we welcomed 71 employees, more than 5,700 new members and added four locations — West Bend, Elm Grove, Sheboygan, and Cedarburg.  
  • Summit Credit Union saw a 29 percent growth in assets to more than $6.4 billion.  
  • More than 43,000 new loans were secured for cars, homes, vacations, and other members’ goals.  
  • Kiplinger and Investopedia reported Summit Credit Union’s 3-year certificate rate among the top in the nation.  
  • Summit Credit Union was named a Top Workplace in Madison, Milwaukee, and the USA.  

About Summit Credit Union  

Established in 1935, Summit Credit Union is a member-owned financial cooperative. Summit holds $6.4 billion in assets and has more than 240,000 members and 945 employees across 55 locations throughout south-central and southeastern Wisconsin. Since 2002, Kim Sponem has been CEO & President of Summit Credit Union, formerly known as CUNA Credit Union/Great Wisconsin Credit Union. Recognized for its excellence in employee engagement, Summit was named a Top Workplace in the USA in 2021, 2022 and 2023 by Top Workplaces USA and a Top Workplace in the Madison area for 2021, 2022 and 2023 by the Wisconsin State Journal.  

For more information, visit www.summitcreditunion.com or call 608-243-5000 or 800-236-5560. For additional media information, visit https://www.summitcreditunion.com/about-summit/press-room or follow Summit on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. 

Photo by Richard Hurd

We have a winner of the 2023 Summit Credit Union Project Teen Money program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:
Jason Waller
Public Relations and Communications Manager
(608) 243-5000 ext. 6862
publicrelations@summitcreditunion.com  

We have a winner of the 2023 Summit Credit Union Project Teen Money program
Cooper Smith from East High School, Madison, wins a $3,000 continuing education scholarship. All 10 finalists receive at least $500 continuing education scholarships

Madison, Wisc. – The votes are in. Cooper Smith from Madison’s East High School is this year’s Summit Credit Union Project Teen Money winner.  

Summit Credit Union’s Project Teen Money is a unique challenge to help young adults achieve financial success – not just the participants, but also their friends and families who viewed their videos. 10 students from Madison’s East, La Follette, Memorial and West high schools were selected as finalists to compete for top scholarships. 

This year, the applicants submitted a short video addressing this question: What are three tips you’d give to other teens to help them protect their money from scams? 

The winning advice from Cooper was to change your passwords frequently and make sure they are strong and complex, don’t share sensitive or personal information over email or the phone, and always call your financial institution to verify they are contacting you. You can watch it here

“Congratulations to Cooper and all the Project Teen Money finalists,” said Summit Credit Union CEO and President, Kim Sponem. “What I love about this program is that teens are teaching teens about financial wellness. There was a lot of great advice, all presented in creative ways. Hopefully, everyone who watched these videos learned some tips to keep their finances safer.” 

How does Project Teen Money work? 

Using points-based scoring criteria, 10 finalists were chosen and featured on the Summit Credit Union Project Teen Money web page. Then the public voted for their favorite. All 10 will now receive scholarship money with $3,000 going to the winner, $2,000 to second place, and $1,000 to third. Fourth and fifth placed will receive $750 and all remaining runners-up will receive $500. 

This program is one of many ways Summit Credit Union champions financial wellness. 

Background information on Summit Credit Union 

Established in 1935, Summit Credit Union is a member-owned financial cooperative. Summit holds $6.4 billion in assets and has more than 240,000 members and 945 employees across 55 locations throughout south-central and southeastern Wisconsin. Since 2002, Kim Sponem has been CEO & President of Summit Credit Union, formerly known as CUNA Credit Union/Great Wisconsin Credit Union.

Recognized for its excellence in employee engagement, Summit was named a Top Workplace in the USA in 2021, 2022 and 2023 by Top Workplaces USA and a Top Workplace in the Madison area for 2021, 2022 and 2023 by the Wisconsin State Journal.  

For more information, visit www.summitcreditunion.com or call 608-243-5000 or 800-236-5560. For additional media information, visit https://www.summitcreditunion.com/about-summit/press-room or follow Summit on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.