For Cassie Kraft, Vice President of Product and the Project Management Office at Great Lakes Credit Union (GLCU), membership is more than a workplace connection.
Long before she helped support members through her professional role, Cassie began her own financial journey with GLCU as a child, opening a Kirby Kids Savings account that introduced her to the value of saving, planning, and building healthy money habits.
A First Step Toward Financial Confidence
Cassie’s first account helped lay the groundwork for financial literacy. The Kirby Kids Savings account — a predecessor to our Money Mammals youth savings account — gave her an early understanding of what it meant to manage money, make thoughtful choices, and see savings grow over time.
As she grew, so did her financial needs. Cassie expanded her relationship with GLCU by opening savings and checking accounts, then later adding certificates and special shares. Each product helped her manage her finances through different stages of life, from adolescence into adulthood.
Support Through Life’s Biggest Decisions
When Cassie was ready to buy a home, she turned to the credit union she already knew and trusted. Over the years, she has had three mortgages with GLCU, describing each experience as seamless and supportive. For a major financial milestone like homeownership, that consistency and care made a lasting difference.
GLCU also supported Cassie when it came time to buy a new car. With multiple car loans over the years, she was able to secure reliable transportation at reasonable rates. Having a pre-approval in hand before visiting the dealership helped her feel prepared, confident, and ready to make the right decision without unnecessary pressure.
A Full-Circle Moment for the Next Generation
One of the most meaningful moments in Cassie’s GLCU story came when she opened a youth account for her son as a baby. It was a full-circle experience — one that mirrored her own start with GLCU and gave her children the opportunity to begin their financial journeys with the same trusted institution that had supported her throughout her life.
More Than Banking: A Lifelong Partnership
Cassie’s story reflects the heart of GLCU’s mission: being there for members through every stage of life. From a first savings account to mortgages, auto loans, and accounts for the next generation, GLCU has been a steady financial partner through childhood milestones, major purchases, and family moments.
