Summit Awards and Accomplishments
We're Especially Thrilled (Not to Mention Blushing Just a Little) When That Hard Work is Recognized.
Best-Of Awards
2025, 2024 – America’s Best Regional Credit Unions
Among credit unions around the country, Summit was recognized by Newsweek as a Best Regional Credit Union based on profitability, financial relevance, risk exposures and stability of the financial institution.
2024, 2023 – Best In-State Credit Union
Summit recognized as one of America's Best-In-State Credit Unions by Forbes.
2024 and each year since 2010 – People's Choice Madison
Summit voted #1 in the Credit Union category (2014-2023), #2 (2013,2010) and #3 (2011) by readers of Madison.com and the Wisconsin State Journal. In 2021 and 2022, Summit was also in the top 3 in Wealth Management, Customer Service and Best Mortgage Banker/Lender categories. (Note: this award was named "Star of Madison" before 2021.)
2024 and each year since 2020 – Best of Madison
Summit voted Silver (2021-2024) and Gold (2020) for Wisconsin Credit Union, Gold for Mortgage Lender ( 2020, 2023, and 2024) and Silver (2023) and Gold (2024) for Wealth Management.
2024, 2023 | South Central Wisconsin Best of the Best
Summit voted Best Credit Union and Best Mortgage Banker/Lender (2024) In 2023, coted Best Financial Advisor and second for Credit Union and Mortgage Banker/Lender.
2024, 2023 I Dodge County’s Best
Summit voted Best Mortgage Banker/Lender and Best Bank by readers of Beaver Dam Daily Citizen.
2024, 2023, 2022 – Best of Monona Award
Summit voted “Best Financial Institution” (2022-2023) and “Best Customer Service” (#1 in 2023; #2 in 2022). Best of Monona awards are voted on by The Herald-Independent readers.
2024 and Each Year Since 2010 – Best of Waunakee Award
Summit voted "Best Financial Institution" by Waunakee Tribune readers. Presented by the Waunakee Tribune and the Waunakee-Westport Chamber of Commerce.
2024, 2023 – Best of the Best Janesville Award
Summit voted second (2023) and third (2024) in the Credit Union category by readers of the Janesville Gazette.
2024 – Best of Watertown
Summit voted Best Credit Union and Best Mortgage Banker/Counselor by readers of the Watertown Daily Times.
2022 – Top 100 Best Credit Unions
Among credit unions around the country, Summit was listed a Top 100 Best Credit Union by Bankdash based on accessibility, account fees, community, dividends, membership trends, member engagement and operational strength.
2022, 2021 – Top Choice Award For Financial Planning (Milwaukee)
Summit voted Top Choice for Financial Planning by readers of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and placed 3rd in the Top Credit Union and Top Mortgage Company categories.
2022 and Each Year Since 2010 – Best of Sun Prairie Award
Summit voted “Best Financial Institution” (2010-2022), “Best Place to Work” (2019 and 2021) and "Best Financial Advisor" (2021-2022) in this readers’ choice award through The Star.
2021, 2020 – Top 100 Best Performing Credit Unions
Among 1,765 credit unions in the country with assets of $100 million or more, Summit was ranked as an S&P Global Market Intelligence Top 100 Credit Union (#32 in 2021 and #19 in 2020). Ranking is based on member growth, loans, net worth, delinquency and profitability.
2021 – Best Mortgage Refinance Company
Recognized by Expertise.com as a best mortgage refinance company in Madison.
2021 – Best of Cottage Grove Award
Summit voted “Best Financial Institution” and “Best Financial Advisor” by Cottage Grove Herald Independent readers.
2021, 2020 – Best of Lake Mills Award
Summit voted "Best Financial Institution" (2021, 2020) and "Best Place to Work" (2021) by Lake Mills Leader readers.
2021 – Best New Development or Renovation-Retail
For Summit's Mt. Horeb branch, In Business Magazine's 2021 Commercial Design Award
2020 and Each Year Since 2010 – Star of Madison Award
Summit voted #1 (2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2012), #2 (2013, 2010) and #3 (2011) in the Bank/Credit Union category by readers of Madison.com and Wisconsin State Journal.
2019 – Best of Milwaukee Award
Summit named Best of Milwaukee in the Financial Planner/Stockbroker category. Chosen by readers of Shepherd Express in Milwaukee.
2019 – Best of New Development or Renovation-Retail
For Summit's Monona branch, In Business Magazine's 2019 Commercial Design Award
2018, 2017, 2016, 2014 – Best Financial Institution
Summit voted #1 by BRAVA magazine readers.
2016 – Best New Development or Renovation-Retail
For Summit's Waukesha branch, In Business Magazine's 2016 Commercial Design Award
2013 – Best Retail Renovation and Best Small Project
For Summit's "Inspiration Branch" in Fitchburg. In Business Commercial Design Awards.
2012 – Best Financial Advisor
Summit voted "Best Financial Advisor" by BRAVA Magazine readers.
Credit Union Industry and Financial Education Awards
2021 - Crystal Performance Award
In the category of $1 billion+ in assets, Summit was 1 of 10 Crystal Performance Award winners nationally based on key performance metrics focused on service, member relationships, sales and more as analyzed by Raddon.
2019 - Governor's Financial Literacy – Legacy Award
Awarded by Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers, the Legacy Award is a lifetime recognition for an organization, business or individual whose purpose and heritage is ingrained in sustained financial literacy and capability. Winner of three previous Governor’s Financial Literacy Awards, Summit was nominated in 2019 by the Madison Metropolitan School District.
2019 - MMSD Outstanding Career & Technical Education Partner
Awarded by Madison Metropolitan School District.
2018 - Editors Choice Award
For excellence in financial wellness education through Summit's programs. Awarded by badcredit.org.
2016, 2014, 2010 - Governor's Financial Literacy Award
2016 – For Summit’s Project Money annual financial challenge. 2014 – For Summit’s CUatWork, a workplace financial wellness program. 2010 – For Summit’s partnership with Common Wealth Development in supporting Earn $ave. Awarded by Wisconsin Governors Walker (2016, 2014) and Doyle (2010) and The Governor’s Council on Financial Literacy.
2016 - Desjardins Adult Financial Education Award
Recognized as number one in Wisconsin by the Credit Union National Association and the Wisconsin Credit Union League for excellence in adult financial education through Summit’s Project Money program.
2016 - Circle of Excellence Award
Awarded in 2017 by Credit Union Legislative Action Council (CULAC) for raising more funds for CULAC than any other credit union in Wisconsin in 2016.
2016 - CUNA Diamond Award
Awarded by CUNA Marketing and Business Development Council in recognition of Summit’s accomplishments in business and select employee group development through CUatWork.
2015, 2011 - CUDL Diamond Award for Excellence in Lending
Awarded by Credit Union Direct Lending (CUDL) for outstanding achievement in our auto lending program — one of two Diamond Awards in the country.
2015 - CUNA Excellence in Marketing and Business Development Award
Awarded by CUNA Marketing & Business Development Council for Summit’s financial wellness initiative, CUatWork.
2014 - Desjardins Youth Financial Education Award
Nationally recognized by the Credit Union National Association for the credit union’s efforts to teach personal finance concepts and skills to those under age 18. Awarded for Project Teen Money.
2014 - Golden Mirror Award for Branch Design and Positioning
International recognition by the Credit Union Executive Society (CUES) for Summit’s Inspiration Branch.
2014 - Best Practice in Marketing to Members
Awarded May 2014, based on Summit’s Sign & Drive option for members. Awarded by CU Direct through CUDL.
2012 - VISA Global Service Quality Performance Award
Awarded for highest domestic approval rate, 98%, in authorization of debit cards. Awarded May, 2013.
2011 - Outstanding Servicing Performance
Awarded June, 25, 2012 by CMG Mortgage Insurance for success in ensuring accurate delinquency reporting, maximizing loan workouts and modifications, generating strong cure rates and helping members stay in their homes.
Cooperative Awards
2014 - The Top Coop Award for Merit Mobilization & Involvement
Awarded by the International Summit of Cooperatives for Summit's Co-op Connection.
Business Awards
2024 - In Business Power 100 Leaders Wisconsin
Recognized by In Business Madison for the area’s most influential business and community leaders.
2024 and Each Year Since 2011 - SBA Lender of the Year Award for Credit Unions
The Small Business Administration of WI — most SBA loans 7(a) through a credit union in Wisconsin.
2022-2018 and 2016-2020 - Executive Choice Award for Credit Unions
Awarded by In Business Magazine, winners represent top business-to-business vendors in the Greater Madison area.
2018 - Silver Addy
Awarded by The American Advertising Federation for Integrated Advertising Campaigns (Mortgage).
2017 - Gold Addy
Award Awarded by The American Advertising Federation for Best of Online Social Media Promotion (Refresh the Nest) and Best of Visual Advertising (The Credit Union Difference Infographic).
2017 - Silver Addy
Award Awarded by The American Advertising Federation for Best of Online/Interactive Consumer Website (SummitCreditUnino.com), Best of Responsive Design (SummitCreditUnion.com) and Best of Online Film, Video and Sound (Money Smarts “How Not To” Video Series).
2016 - Continuous Support and Commitment Award
Awarded by the Latino Chamber of Commerce of Dane County.
2012, 2011, 2010 - Best of Wisconsin Businesses Awards
Summit voted #2 for "Best Credit Union for Businesses" selected by nearly 3,000 Corporate Report Wisconsin readers.
Employer Awards
2025, 2024 and Each Year Since 2020 - Top Workplace Madison
Summit recognized as a Top Workplace in the Madison area (2020-2023) and #1 Large Company (2020) by the Wisconsin State Journal.
2025, 2024 and Each Year since 2021 - Top Workplace USA
Summit recognized as one of the nation's best workplaces by TopWorkplaces.com.
2024, 2023 - Top Workplace Milwaukee
Summit recognized as a Top Workplace in Milwaukee and Southeast Wisconsin by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
2023, 2019 - Best Places to Work
Summit named a Best Place to Work by Madison Magazine in the category of companies with 101+ employees.
2023 - Best In-State Credit Union
Summit recognized as one of America's Best-In-State Credit Unions by Forbes.
2018, 2012, 2011 - ATD Best Award
The training industry’s most rigorous and coveted international recognition, honoring organizations which create, support and champion learning opportunities for strategic results and a learning culture. Awarded by the Association for Talent Development.
2017 - CUNA WOW Award
Credit Union National Association's most prestigious award for employee development in recognition of Summit's Leadership Academy for managers and emerging leaders.
2014 - ELLy Training Champion Award
Credit Union National Association’s top recognition of a senior manager for their vision, involvement, and leadership of the credit union’s training initiatives.
2014, 2012 - ELLy Award for Excellence in E-Learning Design
Credit Union National Association bestows this national award to credit union trainers for outstanding efforts in professional staff development.
2013, 2012 - Best Companies to Work For
Bronze award from In Business Magazine as one of greater Madison’s “Best Companies to Work For”.
2010 - ELLy WOW! Award for Merit
National award presented to CU trainers by Credit Union National Association for outstanding efforts in professional staff development. Summit received this award for our Member Sales & Service Training Program.
Community Awards
2022 - Dane County Climate Champion
Awarded by Dane County Office of Energy and Climate Change for Headquarters building energy-use and for supporting employee and member sustainability efforts.
2017 - United Way People's Choice Innovation Award
For commitment to raising awareness and resources during the campaign
2017 - United Way Top 10 in Five Categories
For employers with more than 350 employees: Community Chest (3rd year in a row) for percent increase in employee giving, Employee Engagement (3rd year in a row) for participation in an employee campaign, Red Feather (4th year in a row) for dollar increase in employee giving, Bronze Award (4th year in a row) for average employee giving and Best Practices Award (4th year in a row & 2012) for execution of Best Practices and an overall increase in giving.
2015 - United Way Top 10 in Six Award Categories
All of the above and Community Growth for percent increase in new donors.
2015 - Outstanding Business - AFP Philanthropy Award
In honor of Summit’s contributions to financial education of youth. Nominated for the impacts of STAR Credit Union by the Boys and Girls Club of Dane County. Awarded by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Greater Madison Chapter.
Other Accomplishments
2023 and each year since 2020 | #1 Mortgage Lender in Wisconsin
#1 mortgage lender based on number of mortgages recorded with the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act data compiled by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
2023 and each year since 2020 | #1 Mortgage Lender in Southern Wisconsin
#1 mortgage lender based on number of mortgages recorded with counties’ registers of deeds.
2023, 2021, 2019-2010 | #1 Mortgage Lender in Dane County
#1 mortgage lender based on number of mortgages recorded with the Dane County register of deeds.
2021 - BankOn Greater Milwaukee Product Development Champion Award
In recognition of Summit's Balance Account, Student Checking Account and credit builder loan option.
2021 - BankOn Greater Milwaukee Innovation Champion Award
In recognition of Summit's involvement in the Real Bank Program and our commitment to building stronger financial futures for Greater Milwaukee residents.
2020 - Silver Leed Certification
Awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) for Summit’s headquarters building. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the world’s most widely used green building rating system and recognizes organizations that prioritize sustainable construction and operation practices.
2018 - Editor's Choice Award
For excellence in financial wellness and education through Summit’s programs. Awarded by badcredit.org.
2015 - Summit in the Top 4% Nationwide for Return to the Members
Among credit unions over $1 billion in assets. Ranked #10 of 253. This ranking, by Callahan and Associates, measures how much value credit unions return to their members.
2015 - "Green Professional" Designation
From the Wisconsin Sustainable Business Council as part of their Green Masters Program.
2015 - Women's Day Magazine
January issue included Summit Project Money winner advice.
2014 - Certificate of Engagement - For Sustainability
Awarded for outstanding commitment to sustainability as a 2013 MPower Business Champion. Presented by Madison’s Mayor, Paul Soglin, and Sustain Dane.
2014 - ABCNews.com Shared Summit Advice
Elisabeth Leamy’s (Good Morning America) shared advice from Summit’s Project Money program in her ABC blog.
Kim Sponem, Summit's CEO/President
2024 — Cornerstone Advisors GonzoBanker of the Year (Credit Union)
Kim Sponem was recognized as the GonzoBanker of the Year award for Credit Unions by Cornerstone Advisors for impacting the financial services industry and empowering women, and others, in building financial security, wealth and avoiding poverty in retirement.2024 — Forty Under 40 Alumni of the Year. Recognized by In Business's editorial team for leadership, spearheading the growth of Summit Credit Union and continued commitment to financial education.
2019 — CUES Hall of Fame Inductee. The Credit Union Executive Society (CUES) Hall of Fame recognizes a lifetime of achievement and dedication to the credit union movement.
2019 — Best Businesswoman of Cottage Grove. Voted by readers of The Herald-Independent
2019 — Awarded the Wisconsin Friend of the Family award by the Wisconsin Association of Family & Consumer Sciences (WAFCS) for demonstrating outstanding service in advancing public policy and advocacy to support families in Wisconsin.
2018 — Awarded Wisconsin Idea Alumni Award by the University of Wisconsin-Madison's School of Human Ecology.
2017 — WOW Award, CUNA's most prestigious national award for employee development in recognition of Summit's Leadership Academy development program for managers and emerging leaders.
2016 — Awarded Madison Magazine’s Brian Howell Excellence in Innovation Award for her leadership of Summit’s innovative financial education, including STAR Credit Union.
2014 — Honored as “Woman to Watch” in the credit union industry by Credit Union Times.
2014 — Named one of the “Top 25 Most Influential People in Greater Madison” by In Business magazine for commitment to financial literacy.
2014 — Awarded Cooperative Builder Award for outstanding contributions to advance cooperative philosophy and ideals by the Cooperative Network.
2012 - Heart for Humanity Award
Presented by the Boys and Girls club of Dane County recognizing continued support.
2012 - Technology Blog Features Summit for Social Web Surfing
Nerdwallet.com names Summit one of seven credit union picks for member-friendly technology — highlighting our interactive website.
2012, 2011 - Leaders of the Pack & Top Volunteers
Presented by Dane County Junior Achievement for Summit’s contribution to teaching young people about workforce readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy.
2010 - Lake Mills Volunteer Business of the Year
Awarded By Lake Mills Chamber of Commerce in recognition of volunteering in the community, and within the chamber.
