Northern Michigan University Launches On-Campus Financial Commons in Partnership with Collegiate and AlumniFi

Milestone partnership brings dedicated on-campus hub to Marquette to advance student financial literacy, modern banking tools, and lifelong alumni engagement.

MARQUETTE, Mich. — Collegiate, AlumniFi, and Northern Michigan University celebrated the official opening of the Collegiate + AlumniFi Financial Commons in the Northern Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on campus. The event brought together Collegiate/AlumniFi and NMU leadership, alumni, community partners, board members, and team members to commemorate this milestone partnership and celebrate a shared investment in student financial wellness and lifelong alumni engagement.

Powered by MSU Federal Credit Union (MSUFCU) and federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), Collegiate and AlumniFi were created to deliver tailored financial experiences that meet people where they are in life. The new Financial Commons at NMU bridges digital innovation with physical space, offering Wildcats a hybrid model featuring high-tech digital platforms alongside personalized, in-person financial guidance. Complementing this on-campus presence, the university will also introduce three fee-free ATMs across campus, along with access to a network of more than 30,000 fee-free ATMs nationwide.

“We are committed to helping students, faculty, and staff navigate life’s most important financial decisions with trusted guidance and personalized support,” said April Clobes, President and CEO of Collegiate, AlumniFi, and MSUFCU. “The Collegiate + AlumniFi Financial Commons at Northern Michigan University will provide a welcoming space where students can build strong financial foundations, and alumni can access the resources and tools they need to achieve their goals while staying connected to their alma mater.”

The Financial Commons serves as an interactive center for students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the broader university community to access specialized financial wellness resources, modern banking features, and targeted educational programming.

• Collegiate Student Banking: Designed specifically for student life, offering mobile-first digital checking and dividend-earning savings accounts with no monthly fees. Features real-time spending insights, customizable savings goals, and accessible financial education designed to build lifelong money management habits.

• AlumniFi Post-Grad Financial Platform: Built for graduating seniors and alumni navigating post-college life, as well as faculty, staff, and the broader university community. Offers high-yield savings accounts, smart automation tools to reduce student loan balances faster, debt repayment rewards, and financial wellness tools like FinLife™.

• On-Site Financial Guidance and Technology: Features video tellers, a technology bar for mobile account management, and private office spaces for scheduled, one-on-one meetings with financial wellness experts.

• Financial Literacy and Educational Workshops: Offers ongoing virtual and in-person education covering key financial milestones, including budgeting, responsible credit usage, first-time homebuying, and account security.

“At NMU, we are dedicated to providing our students with comprehensive resources that prepare them for long-term success both inside and outside the classroom,” said Chris Olsen, President of NMU. “This partnership with Collegiate and AlumniFi introduces a valuable asset to our campus. The Financial Commons equips our students with essential money management tools for their college years and gives our alumni a lasting connection to the university community.”

The ribbon-cutting ceremony featured formal remarks from NMU and Collegiate/AlumniFi leadership, followed by attendees moving over to Fall Fest, to welcome students, faculty, and staff to campus.

Collegiate and AlumniFi are available now to the NMU community. Visit collegiatecu.org/nmu or alumnifi.org/nmu to learn more and open an account in just a few minutes.

ABOUT ALUMNIFI

AlumniFi is a digital-first banking brand created by Michigan State University Federal Credit Union (MSUFCU). AlumniFi offers high-yield savings, fee-free checking, and tech-forward tools to help people simplify their finances and build confidence with every money move. AlumniFi deposits are federally insured by NCUA. Learn more at alumnifi.org.

ABOUT COLLEGIATE

Collegiate is a digital banking platform created by Michigan State University Federal Credit Union. Built to support students at every stage of their college journey, Collegiate offers simple, modern banking through a mobile-first platform. With access to no-fee checking and savings accounts, built-in spending insights, customizable goals, and financial literacy tools, Collegiate helps students build healthy money habits that last a lifetime. Learn more at collegiatecu.org.

ABOUT NORTHERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY

Northern Michigan University (NMU), located in Marquette, Michigan, is a dynamic four-year, public, comprehensive university that has grown its reputation based on its award-winning leadership programs, cutting-edge technology initiatives, and nationally recognized academic programs. Founded in 1899 along the southern shore of Lake Superior in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, NMU has a population of more than 6,500 undergraduate and graduate students, and 1,200 employees committed to empowering learners with distinct and meaningful experiences that open doors to extraordinary opportunities. For more information, visit nmu.edu.

ABOUT MSUFCU

MSU Federal Credit Union (MSUFCU) was established in 1937 to provide a secure place for members to save and borrow. Guided by its mission to help members achieve financial security, reach their goals, and realize their dreams, MSUFCU supports members through key life milestones while helping plan for the future. Recognized as a leader in innovation and as a great place to work, MSUFCU continually seeks new ways to enhance the member experience and strengthen the communities it serves. Today, the Credit Union proudly serves more than 410,000 members through 36 branches in Michigan and Illinois, with over $9.3 billion in assets and more than 1,200 employees. MSUFCU is headquartered in East Lansing, Michigan. For additional information, visit msufcu.org.