Ascend Federal Credit Union

Ascend Federal Credit Union (or Ascend; formerly AEDC Federal Credit Union) is a federally chartered credit union based in Tullahoma, Tennessee. Ascend is regulated and insured through the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA).

Ascend has over 240,000 members and $4.4 billion USD in assets.

The company has locations in 21 Middle Tennessee counties.

As of 2024, Ascend has 28 branches across Middle Tennessee.

History
Ascend Federal Credit Union was chartered on July 12, 1951 in order to serve employees of the Arnold Air Force Base.

In 2006, the company changed its name from AEDC Federal Credit Union to Ascend Federal Credit Union. In 2015, Ascend signed a 10-year contract with Live Nation for the naming rights of the Ascend Amphitheater.

In 2018, the firm started leveraging its LenderAssis LOS platform and DecisionAssis product.

In 2019, the company was announced to turn as an Episys platform.

Management
Matt Jernigan is President and CEO.

Social activity
In 2020, Ascend FCU made a donation of $10,000 to LLS’s Children’s Initiative.

In 2021, the company supported the American Heart Association (AHA’s), raising $1,150, in order to deepen people's knowledge about women's health.

This year, Ascend contributed $50,000 to Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.

In May, 2021, the firm gave a financial support to the 6th Annual Hometown Heroes Walk for Children.

Awards
2007

CUNA's Best Practices Award for Branch Design - Victory Station

CUNA Diamond Award - Branding/Corporate Identity

CUES Golden Mirror Award - Staff Programs/Brand Launch

NAFCU's Marketing Award - Best Promotional Campaign/Brand Launch

2008

CUNA Diamond Award - 2006 Annual Report: Raising Possibilities

CUES Golden Mirror Award of Merit - 2006 Annual Report: Raising Possibilities

CUNA Diamond Award - Discover, Venture, and Go! Logo

CUES Golden Mirror Award - Discover, Venture, and Go! Logo

Card Services for Credit Unions Cameo Award - Youth Marketing

Cintas Document Management Environmental Award

2009

CUNA Diamond Award of Merit - Business Development Campaign

2010

Visa Global Service Quality Award

CUNA Diamond Award of merit - Business Development Campaign

2011

Visa Global Service Quality Award

2012

Visa Global Service Quality Award

Credit Union Times Women to Watch - Caren Gabriel

2013

CUNA Diamond Award- Complete Campaign

Card Services for Credit unions Cameo Award - Overall Credit Campaign, 2nd Place

Daily News Journal Ruthies Award - Favorite Credit Union

The Murfreesboro Post "Besties" Award - Best Banking/Financial Institution

Manchester Chamber People's Choice Award - Service Category

Visa Global Service Quality Award

Nashville Business Journal Chief Marketing Officer award - Kim York

2014

Visa Global Service Quality Award

The Tullahoma News Finest Bank

Daily News Journal Ruthies Award - Favorite Credit Union

"Best Credit Union" in Maury County

CUNA Diamond Award - Category's Best

CABLE Board Walk of Fame - Caren Gabriel

American Banker - Top 50 Best Credit Unions to Work For

2015

NAFCU Federal Credit Union of the Year - Ascend FCU

CUNA Diamond Award - Annual Reports and Brand Awareness

Daily News Journal Ruthies Award - Favorite Credit Union

The Daily Herald (Columbia) - Best Credit Union

Tennessee Credit Union League Award of Appreciation - CULAC Donations

Tennessee Credit Union League Hall of Fame - Jim Ward

Training Magazine's Top 125 - Training Department

Visa Global Service Quality Award

American Banker - Top 50 Best Credit Unions to Work for

2016

Credit Union Journal - Best Credit Unions to Work For

Visa Global Service Quality Award

Credit Union Magazine's Credit Union Rock Starts - Peggy Gray

Nashville Business Journal Women of Influence - Caren Gabriel

NAFCU's professional of the Year - Kim York

CUNA Diamond Award - Annual Reports & Electronic Marketing

Tennessee Credit Union Award of Appreciation - CULAC

Daily News Journal Ruthies Award - Favorite Credit Union

"Best Credit Union" in Maury County

The Tullahoma News - "Tullahoma's Finest Bank"

My. Juliet Chamber of Commerce "Business of the Year"

Best of the 'Boro Besties Award for "Best Bank to Stash your Cash"

Training Magazine's Top 125 - Training Development

Credit Union Times Most Innovative Credit Unions- 4th Place

American Banker - Top 50 Best Credit Unions to Work For

2017

Nashville Business Journal Best in Business Award

CULAC Circle of Excellence

Credit Union Journal - Best Credit Unions to Work For

Training Magazine's Top 125 - Training Department

Visa Service Quality Performance Award

Tennessee Credit Union League Award of Appreciation - CULAC

Daily News Journal Ruthies Award - Favorite Credit Union

Best Credit Unions in Maury County

The Nature Conservancy Partners in Conservation Award

Tennessee Credit Union Hall of Fame - Robert H. Burt (posthumously)

Tullahoma Chamber Women Impacting the Community Business Award - Caren Gabriel

MTSU Jennings A. Jones Champion of Free Enterprise Award - Caren Gabriel

American Banker - Top 50 Best Credit Unions to Work For

2018

CULAC Circle of Excellence

CUNA Diamond Awards - Billboard, Radio, Complete Branch Campaign, Print Ads

Training Magazine's Top 125 - Training Department

Credit Union Journal - Best Credit Unions to Work For

Nashville Scene best of Nashville Financial Provider - 3rd Place

Daily News Journal Ruthies Award - Favorite Credit Union

Rutherford County Main Street Award - Best Credit Union

American Banker - Top 50 Best Credit Unions to Work For

2019

CULAC Circle of Excellence

Credit Union Journal's Top 125 - Training Department

Daily News Journal Ruthies Award - Favorite Credit Union

Rutherford County Main Street Award - Best Credit Union

American Banker - Top 50 Best Credit Unions to Work For

2020

Credit Union Journal - Best Credit Unions to Work For

Training Magazine's Top 125 - Training Department

CULAC Circle of Excellence

APEX Training Awards

Tullahoma - Voted Finest Bank

Rutherford County Main Street Award - Best Bank & Best Credit Union

Nashville - Voted Best Credit Union and 2nd Best Bank (including all big banks)

Daily News Journal Ruthies Award - Favorite Credit Union

American Banker - Top 50 Best Credit Unions to Work For

2021

Credit Union Journal - Best Credit Unions to Work For

Tennessee Credit Union League Hall of Fame - Pat Eagon

NAFCU Volunteer Award - Anthony Taylor

CUNA Diamond Award - Marketing & Business Development

CULAC Circle of Excellence

APEX Training Awards

Rutherford County Main Street Award - Best Credit Union

Daily News Journal Ruthies Award - Favorite Credit Union

American Banker - Top 50 Best Credit Unions to Work For

2022

Nashville Post inChase Spring Issue CEOs of the Year - Caren Gabriel

CUNA Diamond Award - Marketing & Business Development

Credit Union Journal - Best Credit Unions to Work For

APEX Training Awards

Daily News Journal Ruthies Award - Favorite Credit Union

Rutherford County Main Street Award - Best Credit Union

The Table - Corporate Member of the Year

American Banker - Top 50 Best Credit Unions to Work For

2023

CUNA Diamond Award - Marketing & Business Development - Branch Campaign

Apex Training Awards