United Consumers Credit Union Shares First-Place Honors for the 2026 Tekkie Award for People Helping People

By W.B. King

True to the credit union mission, the Finopotamus Tekkie Award for People Helping People recognizes an initiative, program, or team effort that significantly improved the lives of members or the community in 2025.

In the spirit of this category, which supports the ethos of the credit union movement, the judges determined that the first-place designation should be shared by the six nominees: Addition Financial Credit Union, Advia Credit Union, Holy Rosary Credit Union, NET Credit Union, TruStage Ventures Discovery Fund, St. Louis Community Credit Union, and United Consumers Credit Union. Presented in no particular order, United Consumers Credit Union is our final spotlight. The $201 Million Independence, Mo.-based credit union supports more than 16,000 members.

Inclusive Value

To remove barriers and expand equitable access to financial services for members who are visually impaired or struggle with traditional digital interfaces, United Consumers Credit Union (United Consumers) partnered with Mahalo Banking and its text-banking solution.

“Recognizing increasing demands for more intuitive technology and improved usability, the credit union prioritized a digital solution designed to meet members where they are and align with real accessibility needs,” Gina Kovacs, Vice President of Sales for Mahalo Banking, told Finopotamus. The Troy, Mich.-based fintech nominated United Consumers for the 2026 Tekkie Award for People Helping People.

“This initiative reflects a focused, high-impact shift in how members can access and interact with their finances. While digital banking continues to evolve, not all members benefit equally from traditional digital environments,” Kovacs continued. “For example, visually impaired members often face challenges navigating app interfaces, where screen layouts and layered menus can make tasks like checking a balance or transferring funds difficult without assistance.”

Now all United Consumer members, regardless of ability, circumstance or comfort with technology, can independently manage their finances, she added.

“By enabling members to complete transactions and retrieve account information via simple SMS commands, the credit union has removed the need to navigate a full mobile or online banking digital interface,” Kovacs continued. “This lowers the barrier to entry for digital banking and offers inclusive value for visually impaired members, who can now independently check balances, review transactions, and execute transfers without navigating complex screens or relying on assistive overlays.”

Jay Neathery

This initiative is part of an overarching partnership between United Consumers and Mahalo Banking, Jay Neathery, the credit union’s president, noted in 2025.

“We were impressed by Mahalo's ease of use and the wide range of customization options available for our members," said Neathery. “Technology and member expectations are changing rapidly, and Mahalo is continuously adapting to keep pace with industry innovations. We believe Mahalo will be an adept partner that evolves quickly alongside us, ready with solutions that cater to the diverse needs of our membership base.”

Reinforcing Member Autonomy

After enrolling a verified mobile number, United Consumer members send simple text commands to check balances, transfer funds, and view recent or pending transactions, with responses delivered in near real-time, Kovacs explained, adding that there is a continued focus on usability and accessibility.

“This includes its ‘Thoughtful Banking’ framework, a neurodiversity-focused approach designed to support members with dyslexia, ADHD, autism, visual impairments, and other cognitive or physical challenges,” she shared. “While many digital banking platforms aim for baseline ADA [Americans with Disabilities Act] compliance, they often fall short in addressing how diverse users actually interact with technology.”

Gina Kovacs

Since rolling out the solution, United Consumers report that members who previously struggled with digital interfaces now manage their finances independently, marking a meaningful shift toward greater inclusion, Kovacs noted. This shift, she added, has “significantly improved financial accessibility” and reinforced member autonomy.

“The credit union has also strengthened real-time engagement and improved everyday banking efficiency across its membership. Members now complete routine tasks such as balance inquiries and transfers in seconds, reducing friction and supporting faster decision-making in real-world scenarios,” Kovacs told Finopotamus. “This includes moments where immediate access to account information directly influences spending or budgeting decisions. Feedback has been consistently positive, with members highlighting the simplicity, speed, and reliability of the experience.”