(Woodbury, MN – March 15, 2019) Rick Blood has joined Ideal Credit Union as Chief Lending Officer (CLO). Blood has over 26 years of experience in the financial services industry. Prior to joining Ideal, he worked as Chief Operations Officer (COO) for Firefly Credit Union. In his new position Blood will be responsible for the growth, quality and compliance of Ideal’s loan portfolio. He will be leading all lending activities within the credit union, including consumer and indirect loans, mortgage and real estate loans, business loan financing, and all member lending needs. The CLO will report directly to the President/CEO as a key member of the senior leadership.

(Woodbury, MN – March 7, 2019) Ideal Credit Union will host a no-cost workshop on Starting Your Own Business on Tuesday, March 26, 2019 from 6:00-7:00 p.m. at the credit union’s Woodbury office, 8499 Tamarack Road. Join Ideal’s Business Relationship Specialist Josh Anderson and guest speaker Tyler Hilsabeck from the Washington County “Open to Business” program to learn the basics of starting your own business. Topics will include deciding whether starting a business is the right next step for you, important considerations when starting your own business, taking your first steps toward entrepreneurship, a checklist for opening a new business, financial management for your small business and more. Open to Business is a free program of the Metropolitan Consortium of Community Developers.