{"url":"https://newsforagent.com/news/2026-11-10/webster-first-luminary-awards-nominations","markdown_url":"https://newsforagent.com/news/2026-11-10/webster-first-luminary-awards-nominations.md","title":"Webster First Federal Credit Union Earns Two 2026 Luminary Nominations","headline":"Webster First Federal Credit Union Nominated Twice for 2026 CU Times Luminary Awards","description":"Webster First Federal Credit Union has been nominated for two 2026 CU Times Luminary Awards, recognizing CEO John Thomasian and its four-person marketing team.","section":"Business","published_at":"2026-11-10T22:27:29+00:00","modified_at":"2026-11-10T22:27:29+00:00","author":"News Desk","key_takeaways":["Webster First Federal Credit Union is a finalist in two 2026 CU Times Luminary Awards categories, both for institutions with $1 billion to $4 billion in assets.","President and CEO John Thomasian was nominated in Executive Leadership after joining the credit union in 2024.","The credit union's four-person marketing team was nominated in Excellence in Marketing for deposit growth and new member account growth."],"companies":[{"name":"Webster First Federal Credit Union","is_primary":true,"profile_url":"https://akta.pro/company-profiles/00072w6/webster-first-federal-credit-union","website":"https://www.websterfirst.com"}],"source":{"publisher":"PR Newswire","title":"Webster First Federal Credit Union earns two nominations for 2026 CU Times Luminary Awards","url":"https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/webster-first-federal-credit-union-earns-two-nominations-for-2026-cu-times-luminary-awards-302935604.html"},"other_sources":[],"tags":["Business","Webster First Federal Credit Union"],"body_markdown":"Webster First Federal Credit Union has been nominated for two 2026 Luminary Awards presented by CU Times, with President and CEO John Thomasian a finalist in Executive Leadership and its four-person marketing team a finalist in Excellence in Marketing. [PR Newswire](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/webster-first-federal-credit-union-earns-two-nominations-for-2026-cu-times-luminary-awards-302935604.html) carried the announcement on November 10, 2026.\n\n## Thomasian and the Marketing Team as Finalists\n\nBoth nominations fall in the $1 billion to $4 billion in assets category. Thomasian is a finalist in the Executive Leadership – President/CEO category, and the marketing team is a finalist in the Excellence in Marketing – Credit Union category.\n\nThe CU Times Luminary Awards recognize credit union leaders and teams who drive innovation, member value, and measurable results across the industry, according to the announcement.\n\nThomasian joined [Webster First Federal Credit Union](https://akta.pro/company-profiles/00072w6/webster-first-federal-credit-union) as CEO in 2024. The credit union said he has driven record-breaking financial performance, guided a successful credit union merger, and launched member-facing products. He also restructured the charitable giving program and created an employee-driven Culture & Wellbeing Committee.\n\nThe marketing team delivered deposit growth through the First-Rate Checking launch, expanded the credit union's organic social and digital presence, and drove new member account growth. The team also explored AI-driven search optimization strategies.\n\n\"Thomasian's leadership and the marketing team's work both reflect Webster First's mission of empowering people to live their best financial lives,\" the credit union said in [its announcement](https://www.websterfirst.com).\n\n## Webster First's Scale and Recent Moves\n\nAccording to akta.pro [company records](https://akta.pro/company-data), Webster First launched First Rate Checking in February 2026 with 5.00% APY on balances up to $1,000, generating over 450 new accounts within the first 90 days. The same records show the credit union completed its merger with Cambridge Teachers Federal Credit Union effective May 31, 2024, its sixth merger since 2011, reaching $1.5 billion in total assets and over 91,000 members. Webster First is a federally chartered, member-owned credit union headquartered in Worcester, Massachusetts, founded in 1928.\n\n## Earlier Leadership and Product News\n\nWebster First announced the promotion of Colleen Carney to Chief Risk Officer in July 2026, a newly created executive position at the Massachusetts-based credit union, [Aijourn](https://akta.pro/news-signals) reported. That month the credit union also launched a \"Pay a Person\" feature for its online banking platform, letting members send money instantly using only a recipient's name and phone number or email address, PR Newswire reported. In August 2026, the Worcester Business Journal reported that Carney said \"Risk is not scary\" in a Q&A about the new role.\n\n## What Comes Next for Webster First\n\nThe 2026 Luminary Awards are presented by CU Times, and the credit union's nominations cover the $1 billion to $4 billion in assets category.\n","publisher":{"name":"News for Agent","url":"https://newsforagent.com"}}