Nicole Pfeffer teaching financial education in a Staples Motley High School classroom.
(Staples/Motley, MN) — March 25, 2024 — Mid Minnesota Federal Credit Union (MMFCU) recently promoted Nicole Pfeffer to Community Outreach Manager as her role has expanded to lead all the financial education taking place in the communities served by MMFCU.
MMFCU’s mission is to provide resources to help improve the financial well-being of our members and communities we serve. In 2023, MMFCU served more than 5,600 individuals through a total of 271 hours of financial education free of charge in the communities we serve. This is accomplished through seminars, classes, simulations, and other educational opportunities by partnering with our local communities, employers and schools.
“The financial world can feel intimidating. There’s a lot to learn and frequent changes, and decisions that feel like high stakes,” said Miranda Anderson, Senior Vice President of Strategy and Marketing. “This is why MMFCU is passionate about helping our members and community build financial literacy. Nicole has applied her knowledge serving members for more than 20 years inside the walls of financial institutions to classrooms and training rooms in the community.”
Pfeffer has been in a variety of roles serving individuals’ financial needs and training teams over the course of two decades including as a customer service representative, loan processor, mortgage originator, and branch manager. At the end of 2022, she transitioned to community outreach in specific communities which has evolved to MMFCU’s entire service area.
“Being able to extend my network while partnering with our community schools and nonprofits is an exciting venture. Then, taking my experience and helping others find their financial freedom has been rewarding,” said Pfeffer.
Financial topics often presented are Money Management, Identity Theft, and Credit Reports. In addition, MMFCU offers two simulations that groups can experience:
- Poverty Simulation program is designed to help individuals better understand poverty by stepping into the real-life situations of others struggling with, and living in, poverty. This helps to raise awareness and increase our understanding of the challenges individuals and families living in poverty face each day.
- Mad City Money is a hands-on simulation that gives youth a taste of the real world – complete with career, salary, spouse, student loan debt, credit card debt, and medical insurance payments. They select housing, transportation, food, clothing, childcare – all while building their budget. Students experience unexpected windfalls and unplanned expenses, just like real life. Participants learn how basic personal finance skills can help them avoid financial problems in the future and gain a valuable new perspective on their choices with money.
For more information about financial education and how to arrange for an education event or simulation for your students, employees or group call your local MMFCU office or visit https://www.mmfcu.org/community/financial-education/.
About Mid Minnesota Federal Credit Union
Mid Minnesota Federal Credit Union is a member owned financial cooperative serving central Minnesota. What sets MMFCU apart from other financial institutions is that our members are owners and have a vested interest in our success. Any profits are returned to our membership in the form of higher dividend rates, lower interest rates on loans, additional technology, and growth in services. MMFCU has 13 locations and participates in CO-OP Shared Branching offering an additional 5,900 locations nationwide. Deposits are federally insured by NCUA and we are an Equal Housing Lender. Learn more at mmfcu.org.
