As Breakwater continues to grow, so does our commitment to serving our members and strengthening the communities we call home. From breaking ground on our exciting renovation and expansion project to broadening our products and services through new partnerships, we’re always looking for ways to better serve you. Beyond enhancing our member experience, we remain committed to supporting the well-being of our communities through financial education, volunteerism, and active involvement in local events that strengthen relationships and enrich daily life here in the Copper Country. As we look ahead to celebrating 75 years in 2027, we’re excited to share some of the latest news from Breakwater and give you a glimpse of what’s ahead.
This July marked the beginning of a major, multi-phase renovation project at Breakwater Federal Credit Union. Construction will continue over the coming months, with completion expected in spring 2027, just in time for our 75th anniversary celebrations.
When our current building first opened in 1994, it was designed with one purpose in mind: providing exceptional service to our members.
For over three decades, it has done just that, supporting countless milestones and continuous growth. It’s been a place where we’ve welcomed first-time members, financed first vehicles and first homes, celebrated retirements, and built lasting relationships with the people who call the Copper Country home.
As our membership continues to grow, so does our commitment to providing an exceptional member experience. Banking has changed significantly over the past three decades, and these renovations will ensure our credit union continues to meet the evolving needs of our members well into the future.
These renovations will create refreshed employee workspaces, modernized technology, and additional member service areas, all designed to enhance the member experience while supporting our continued growth. As we look ahead to our 75th year, this project represents more than a renovation. It’s an investment in the future of Breakwater Federal Credit Union and the members and communities we’ll proudly serve for generations to come.
While construction is underway, we want to assure our members that Breakwater Federal Credit Union remains open and committed to providing uninterrupted service throughout the renovation process.
During construction, you may notice temporary barriers, construction crews, and occasional changes to traffic flow or building access. Any temporary adjustments will be clearly marked with on-site signage and shared on our website and social media channels whenever necessary.
All services will remain available, and our team is here to help make your visit as smooth as possible. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we invest in an even better member experience for years to come.
Our headquarters may be under construction, but our commitment to the community never takes a break.
From Monday, July 27 through Friday, August 7, we invite you to help support the St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank in Hancock by donating non-perishable food items and essential toiletries at Breakwater Federal Credit Union.
St. Vincent de Paul serves individuals and families throughout the Copper Country by helping fight food insecurity through its weekly food pantry and by providing emergency financial assistance for essential needs, including utility bills. Donations collected during this food drive will help keep pantry shelves stocked and ensure local families have access to the food and basic necessities they need.
The food bank is currently seeking donations of pasta, pasta sauce, jam, 18 oz. peanut butter, soup, bottled juice, boxed potatoes, salad dressings, paper towels, facial tissues (Kleenex), men’s and women’s deodorant, shampoo, and toothpaste. Please note that canned beans are not needed at this time.
Every donation, no matter the size, helps make a difference. Together, we can help ensure our neighbors have access to the food and essential items they need. Thank you for helping us care for our community.
Community is at the heart of everything we do, and one of our favorite traditions each year is bringing our members and community partners together for our Annual Member Appreciation Cookout.
This year we welcomed an estimated 400 to 500 guests for Vollwerth’s hot dogs and brats, giveaways, and fun. Events like this are our way of saying thank you to our members who place their trust in us and all our community partners whose collaboration helps us make a positive impact throughout the Copper Country.
As a local, member-owned credit union, we’re grateful to serve such an incredible membership and community. Thank you for making this year’s cookout another wonderful success. We look forward to seeing you again next year!
Financial literacy is one of the most meaningful ways we invest in the future of the Copper Country. Through partnerships with local schools, community organizations, businesses, and libraries, we’re helping people of all ages build the knowledge and confidence to make informed financial decisions.
So far in 2026, we’ve:
While high school students continue to be the primary focus of our financial education efforts, we’re excited to expand our programming in the coming year with an increased emphasis on K-8 students and young adults as they begin navigating life after high school. By reaching people at every stage of life, we can help build lifelong financial confidence and strengthen the financial well-being of our communities.
With the new school year just around the corner, now is the perfect time to start planning meaningful financial education opportunities for your students.
Breakwater Federal Credit Union partners with local schools and educators to provide engaging, age-appropriate financial literacy programming for students of all ages. From classroom presentations and interactive activities to Financial Reality Fairs and games like Financial Jeopardy and Money Bingo, we can customize our programs to complement your curriculum and meet the needs of your students.
Whether you’re looking for a single classroom visit or a larger school-wide event, we’d love to collaborate with you.
Ready to partner with Breakwater?
Contact Marketing & Community Relations Coordinator Kayleigh White at Kayleigh.white@breakwaterfcu.org to schedule a classroom visit, Financial Reality Fair, or another customized financial literacy program tailored to your students’ age and curriculum.
At Breakwater, our commitment to the community extends far beyond banking. Guided by the credit union philosophy of People Helping People, our employees proudly volunteer their time to support organizations and events that make the Copper Country a better place to live, work, and raise a family.
To date, our team has volunteered 179 hours, reaching 71% of our annual volunteer goal for 2026.
From supporting local nonprofits and community events to assisting with youth programs and fundraisers, our employees have supported over twenty causes through volunteerism so far this year.
These causes include:
Whether we’re serving meals, marching in parades, helping at fundraisers or supporting local nonprofits, we’re honored to give back to the communities we serve. If your organization needs volunteer support, please feel free to reach out! While we can’t guarantee support at every event, we are always happy to share the opportunity with our staff. Please email Kayleigh White at Kayleigh.white@breakwaterfcu.org with any requests.
As a member-owned credit union, every sponsorship is an investment in the people, organizations, and events that help make the Copper Country a vibrant place to live, work, and play. Throughout the year, we’re proud to support initiatives that strengthen our communities, celebrate local traditions, and create opportunities for people of all ages.
Breakwater supports community festivals, youth programs, educational initiatives, veterans’ organizations, nonprofits, arts and culture, outdoor recreation, and local business organizations across the Copper Country.
In July alone, we were able to support:
By supporting these events and organizations, we hope to make a lasting, positive impact while helping build a stronger, more connected community for generations to come.
We look forward to connecting with our members, neighbors, and Michigan Tech students at these upcoming events. If you see us, be sure to stop by and say hello!
Saturday, August 15 – Pasty Fest
This annual celebration of local heritage features a pasty bake-off, live entertainment, local vendors, and a variety of Renaissance-themed pasty games. Stop by the Breakwater booth to spin our prize wheel and test your knowledge with a fun financial challenge that explores the cost of making a pasty in in 1898 versus today!
Saturday, August 29 – Afternoon on the Town
On August 29, we’ll join dozens of local businesses in welcoming Michigan Tech’s incoming students during Afternoon on the Town. Stop by the Breakwater booth to learn about the products, services, and financial resources available to students, pick up some swag, and meet our team! We’ll also share why Breakwater is a great banking option for Michigan Tech students, including three convenient on-campus ATMs, digital banking tools, and our new Student Choice program, which offers flexible student loan and refinancing options for undergraduate and graduate students.
Friday, September 4 – Local Career Expo at Michigan Tech
Interested in building your career in the Copper Country? Visit Breakwater at Michigan Tech’s Local Career Expo to learn what it’s like to work for a local, member-owned credit union that’s committed to making a positive impact in our communities.
While our current openings vary throughout the year, career opportunities at Breakwater have included Member Service Representatives, Operations Specialists, Mortgage and Consumer Lending, Marketing and Community Relations, Accounting, Human Resources, and other business and administrative roles.
Stop by our booth to discover the variety of career paths available at a local credit union and how each role contributes to making a positive impact in the communities we serve.
Wednesday, September 9 – Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce Premiere Golf Outing
Breakwater is proud to participate in the Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce’s 28th Annual Premier Golf Outing! We’ll have a team on the course and will be sponsoring one of the holes, where golfers can stop by for giveaways, take part in a fun challenge, and visit with the Breakwater team. We look forward to connecting with fellow Chamber members and supporting an event that brings our local business community together.
Wednesday, October 28 – College of Business Career Fair
We’ll be sharing information about career pathways at a local credit union and how they align with a variety of business degree programs. Stop by our booth to learn about opportunities in member service, operations, lending, accounting, marketing, human resources, and more. It’s also a great opportunity to practice your professional communication skills, build your network, and explore the many career possibilities available after graduation.
The start of a new school year often means college planning is top of mind for many families. Whether you’re preparing for your first semester or looking to refinance existing student loan debt, Breakwater’s Student Choice education lending program provides flexible financing solutions to help students and families invest in their future.
Our team is here to answer your questions and help you understand your options, so you can borrow with confidence and focus on what matters most: achieving your educational goals.
Student Choice offers:
Whether you’re just beginning your college journey or looking to reduce the cost of existing student loans, Breakwater is here to help you explore your options every step of the way.
Read more about the features My Financial Health offers and access our FAQ section.
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