Ascend Federal Credit Union has been named one of the 2016 “Best Credit Unions to Work For” by the Best Companies Group and the Credit Union Journal.

This national honor crowns a yearlong campaign highlighting employees’ value to Ascend. This internal effort, which kicked off Feb. 8 in the company’s employee newsletter, has spotlighted each department and financial center at the 65-year-old Tullahoma, Tenn.-based institution.

“I hope recognition of our credit union as a best place to work will heighten our employees’ awareness of Ascend’s focus on them,’” Ascend Senior Vice President/Chief Human Resources Officer Peggy Stubblefield said regarding the venerable “Best Credit Union to Work For” distinction. “We constantly ask ourselves, ‘What can we do to improve employees’ lives?’”

An annual employee picnic, a unique employee lounge at Corporate Headquarters, an annual scholarship award for employees’ children, and a robust wellness program are just a few of the employee perks cited in Ascend’s submission for the award. Others include a 401(k) with a generous match; medical coverage with 100 percent of the premium for employees paid by Ascend; and comprehensive employee training.

Determining the “Best Credit Union’s to Work For” involved a two-step process. The first step consisted of evaluating each participating credit union’s workplace policies, practices, and demographics. This part of the process was worth approximately 25 percent of the total evaluation. The second part consisted of employee surveys aimed at assessing the experiences and attitudes of individual employees with respect to their workplace. This part of the process was worth approximately 75 percent of the total evaluation. The combined scores determined the best credit unions.

With $1.954 billion in assets, more than 168,700 members, and 442 employees, Ascend is the largest credit union in Middle Tennessee and one of the largest federally chartered credit unions in the United States. The National Association of Federal Credit Unions (NAFCU) selected Ascend as the 2015 Federal Credit Union of the Year. Ascend is federally insured by the NCUA. Membership is limited.

September 2, 2016