Celebrating Two WINcentive Savings Winners

First Alliance Credit Union is proud to announce that two of its members, both also long-time employees, were prize winners through the annual WINcentive® Savings program, a statewide initiative designed to reward positive saving habits.Jeremiah Halloran was named the $5,000 grand-prize winner, while Jeff Luerman received a $1,000 cash prize. Both winners were surprised with the news during a special reveal on Tuesday morning.

“I was completely shocked,” said Halloran. “I've been saving in the program since it launched but I never imagined I would be a grand prize winner. I’ve always believed in the value of saving a little at a time and WINcentive makes saving feel achievable, and this is an incredible reminder that consistency really does pay off.”

Luerman shared that his win felt like an opportunity to give back. He has chosen to donate a portion of his winnings to the First Alliance Credit Union Foundation, helping extend the impact of the program beyond his own financial goals.

“I wanted to pay forward the positivity,” said Luerman. “WINcentive helped me build better saving habits, and being able to pay that forward through the Foundation makes this win even more meaningful.”

The WINcentive® Savings program encourages members to save regularly by offering risk-free opportunities to win cash prizes. For every $25 increase in a member’s monthly balance, account holders earn entries into monthly, quarterly, and annual prize drawings, with cash prizes ranging from $100 to $5,000. The more members save, the more chances they have to win.

“Being here to congratulate Jeremiah and Jeff makes this moment especially meaningful,” said Ryan Smith, Chief Advocacy Officer at the Minnesota Credit Union Network. “WINcentive represents the collective effort of Minnesota’s credit unions, and we’re proud to administer a program that turns everyday saving into moments worth celebrating.”

First Alliance Credit Union has offered WINcentive Savings to its members since 2016, helping hundreds of individuals build emergency funds and long-term savings. Collectively, First Alliance members have saved over $580,000 through the program in 2025, reinforcing the credit union’s mission of putting people before profit. The credit union has celebrated two prior $5,000 grand prize winners from their membership in recent years, in 2024 and in 2021.

“What makes this moment special is that our employees experience First Alliance the same way our members do, as participants in the cooperative,” said Brent Rempe, President and CEO of First Alliance Credit Union. “When they win through programs like WINcentive, it reinforces that these tools are working for real people, including the ones who serve our members every day.”

Members interested in opening a WINcentive Savings account can do so by visiting firstalliancecu.com or calling 507-288-0330. The prize drawings are held on the 10th of each month, and every deposit is another chance to win.

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About First Alliance Credit Union
First Alliance Credit Union is full service financial institution with six locations, and a mobile branch, in Southeast Minnesota. Membership is open to everyone who lives, works, worships, owns a business or attends school in Blue Earth, Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Le Sueur, Mower, Nicollet, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, Waseca, or Winona counties. 

About Minnesota Credit Union Network
The Minnesota Credit Union Network is the statewide trade association representing Minnesota’s credit unions and their nearly 2 million members. The Network advocates for sound public policy, provides education and resources, and supports collaborative programs, including the WINcentive® Savings program, that help credit unions strengthen the financial well-being of Minnesotans.

® WINcentive is a registered trademark of the Minnesota Credit Union Network