Alliant Honored for Promoting Financial Education Among Military Veterans in Need

10/20/2016 • Civic Affairs

CHICAGO -- VeteransPlus has named Alliant the winner of its annual Financial Institutions Supporting Heroes (F.I.S.H.) Award. VeteransPlus is a 501(c)(3) financial literacy organization serving military members and veterans.

The F.I.S.H Award recognizes Alliant and the Alliant Credit Union Foundation for helping more than 3,600 military personnel and veterans across 37 states. 62% of those helped have created financial action and savings plans, leading to an overall debt reduction of 12%.

Financial issues are a huge stressor for military personal and their families; VeteransPlus estimates that it’s received over 170,000 calls from ex-service members with looming financial concerns.

The name of the F.I.S.H. Award takes its inspiration from the Chinese proverb, “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime” -- reflecting the VeteransPlus mission to teach financial literacy to provide a lifetime of financial wellness.

“Alliant has a long history of promoting financial literacy within the communities that need it the most. No group is more deserving of our support than our veterans. Through organizations like VeteransPlus, we have been able to assist current and former military families in finding practical solutions to financial issues unique to them,” said Alliant Credit Union Foundation President Wayne Rosenwinkel.

Over the past several years, The Alliant Credit Union Foundation has supported a number of veteran causes, including the USO, Wounded Warrior Project and Joining Forces, in addition to VeteransPlus. Alliant Credit Union Foundation also has provided financial support to Triton College in River Grove, Ill., to set up a Veterans Resource Center that will help foster a smooth transition to civilian and student life as their veteran population strives to meet academic and professional goals.

“The men and women who have worn our nation’s uniform have given selflessly to defend those who could not defend themselves, said VeteransPlus Executive Director John E. Pickens. “The youngest generation of America’s fighting force face unprecedented challenges when they come home and the financial stability of their families is often threatened. Thanks to the support of Alliant, we are able conduct outreach events across the nation to help these heroes gain the financial freedom they have fought to defend.”

VeteransPlus traveled to Chicago to present the F.I.S.H Award in person to Alliant. Accepting the award were Ed Rogowski, Chairman of Alliant’s Board, and Wayne Rosenwinkel, on behalf of The Alliant Credit Union Foundation.