Story by Katie Hinkemeyer
St. Cloud has welcomed a new and highly impactful business to its downtown scene.
Catholic United Financial, a non-profit and member-owned financial services company, has relocated to accommodate its ever-expanding footprint and consolidate the agency’s services, which include a credit union and insurance facility. The institution provides life insurance, banking services, retirement and estate planning, charitable giving services and more.
The new location is the building that once housed St. Cloud Federal Credit Union at 120 10th Ave. N. It is set to open Oct. 30 with
a grand opening slated for early 2024.
president of the
Catholic United
Financial Credit Union,
and Emily Ripplinger,
branch manager,
pose in front of the
new Catholic United
Financial Center in
St. Cloud.
Branch manager Emily Ripplinger said it is a very exciting time at the new center.
“We are blessed to move to a vibrant downtown in the heart of so many Catholic parishes, Catholic schools and the Diocese of St. Cloud and we are ready to open our doors and welcome in the community and show them what we have to offer,” Ripplinger said.
Relocating the credit union branch of Catholic United Financial was necessary to provide the best possible in-person member experience, according to Andrea Ferkingstad, president.
“By opening this new Catholic United Financial Center, we’ll be able to better serve and support our current and prospective members and their families, as well as our Catholic communities, parishes, schools and other Catholic organizations in Central Minnesota,” Ferkingstad said.
The larger facility will have a refreshed aesthetic with advanced technological features in offices, conference rooms, collaborative as
well as private spaces and a main large gathering space, which can accommodate 30 to 40 individuals.
Catholic United Financial’s mission is to “inspire, educate and support members of [its] Catholic communities in achieving a lifetime of financial success.” One of the ways they achieve their mission is through educational workshops and online webinars, which are open to the public and completely free. Over 1,200 individuals have attended these events so far in 2023, a number that Susan Detlefsen, digital marketing manager, hopes to grow with the inception of the new location.
Detlefsen is looking forward to the return of face-to-face communication between member advisors and potential clients that diminished during the coronavirus pandemic. She feels operating as a “company with conscience” is what sets Catholic United Financial apart from other credit unions and hopes to see the encouragement of relationships as well as community growth from this physical expansion.
Catholic United Financial has been dedicated to protecting people financially and reinvesting into the community through scholarships and volunteer programs since its establishment in 1878. The institution raises and distributes millions of dollars in grants which impact schools and parishes. They have 75,000 members across Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, North Dakota and South Dakota.
Minnesota has approximately 62,000 of these members, with a large majority of them based in the St. Cloud area. This fact contributed to the decision to re-house the St. Cloud Catholic United Financial branch, in addition to expanding it.
Dave Stang, team lead and senior member advisor, will focus on insurance, Medicare, annuities and estate planning at the new building.
“I am excited to be a part of a new adventure at Catholic United Financial,” Stang said. “Having an office in the heart of downtown St. Cloud will give me an opportunity to help protect and connect more members. By teaming up with our Catholic United Financial Credit Union we will create a financial one-stop-shop and we’ll be able to share our unique story to more potential members and grow our missional impact with the local Catholic communities, parishes and schools.”
Michael Ahles, president and CEO of Catholic United Financial, speaks with pride regarding the Catholic agency’s mission and is confident the exposure and expansion provided by the new location will serve as an influential establishment and provide a positive impact to the surrounding community.
Citing favorite aspects of his job as providing needs and seeing the community work come to life, Ahles says that leading with product and leading with faith are equally important to the company. Members of the community are always welcome, and “even if you don’t purchase from us, at least we educated you.”
When asked what message he would like to give the Catholic community, he said: “Help us build a future together… another 145 years. If you don’t know much about us, check us out. Grab a cup of coffee whenever!”
LEARN MORE
For more information, call 877-871-8313.
Photography by Dianne Towalski