Millions of people worldwide choose credit unions because they put members and communities first. At LUSO Federal Credit Union, we believe that when our members succeed, our community thrives. This member-focused approach has a global impact, reaching over 411 million credit union members across the world.

On October 16, 2025, LUSO Federal Credit Union will join 74,000 credit unions in 104 countries to celebrate the 77th International Credit Union Day® (ICU Day). Credit unions provide affordable rates, personalized service, and financial tools that empower members to achieve their goals.

Why Credit Unions Are Different

• Member-Owned & Democratic – Every member has an equal vote, regardless of account size. You’re not just a customer; you’re an owner.
• Not-for-Profit Financial Cooperatives – Credit unions return profits to members in the form of lower rates, higher savings, and better service.
• People Helping People – Every member matters. Credit unions focus on serving their community and supporting local initiatives.
• Financial Education – Credit unions provide tools and programs to help members make smart financial decisions and build stronger futures.

Join the Celebration!

Mark your calendars for Thursday, October 16, 2025, and celebrate the credit union difference with us.

• Visit our Facebook or Instagram pages to comment on our ICU Day post.
• Stop by our Ludlow or Wilbraham branches in person.

Everyone who engages online or in-branch on ICU Day will be entered to win our Member Appreciation Basket Raffle. The winner will be announced Friday, October 17, 2025.

Experience why credit unions like LUSO Federal Credit Union are trusted by millions for affordable financial services, community focus, and member-first banking.

The Ludlow branch of LUSO Federal Credit Union typically sees members looking for a home loan or planning to open a savings account. But recently, a visitor to the credit union might find more than just forms and applications to help them improve their financial literacy. In a little house affixed to a post outside the branch’s main entrance, visitors can also improve their overall literacy.

LUSO, which has served members and communities in Hampden County since 1971, is pleased to announce the first registered and mapped Little Free Library in Ludlow, located at 599 East Street. LUSO’s second Little Free Library, is now available inside the ATM vestibule at the Wilbraham branch in Crane Park. 

The Little Free Library movement, which now spans the globe, was started in 2009 by Todd Bol of Wisconsin, who built a model of a one-room schoolhouse as a tribute to his mother, a former schoolteacher who loved reading. He put the small structure on a post in his front yard and filled it with books that passersby could borrow or keep. Today, more than 150,000 registered Little Free Library book-sharing boxes are in 120 countries worldwide.

“We are excited to sponsor a Little Free Library in the towns where we have branch locations,” said Jennifer M.G. Calheno, President and Chief Executive Officer of LUSO Federal Credit Union. “Over the years, LUSO has supported literacy through our school banking program, by offering a free Scholastic book to local students for every six school banking deposits. This Little Free Library is a natural extension of our goal to promote literacy and a love for reading for all, not just students.”

Embracing the take-a-book/leave-a-book philosophy, these libraries are a fun and easy way to give both students and adults easy access to reading material, especially in the summer months. Students can find picture and board books as well as early readers and chapter books. Adults will find hard- and soft-cover options for both fiction and non-fiction, regularly stocked by our staff.  

“We do so much with our schools and most of us are such big readers that it just made sense to offer a Little Free Library as a way for us to give back to our community,” said Ana Parrelli, VP of Business Development at LUSO. 

“As an avid reader, I often seek out Little Free Libraries wherever I am, using the map within the Little Free Library app,” said Jennifer Lopez, Marketing Director for the credit union. “My son and I love finding hidden gems and favorite titles among the collection of books and little library houses we come across. We’re thrilled to be able to participate in the Little Free Library movement and share some of our favorite books with visitors to LUSO’s Little Free Libraries.”

To learn more about LUSO Federal Credit Union, call (413) 589-9966 or visit lusofederal.com. For information about Little Free Library, visit littlefreelibrary.org.