Abby Credit Union Helps Make Tipp’s Holidays “Storybook” — And Gives Back All Year - Downtown Lowdown, Episode 26

Abbey Credit Union Helps Make Tipp’s Holidays “Storybook” — And Gives Back All YearAbbey Credit Union’s first holiday season in Tipp City is off to a busy, heartwarming start, with leaders describing a “storybook” Christmas downtown, a wildly popular hot chocolate station, and a slate of community-focused programs rolling through the winter. Representatives from the member-owned financial cooperative joined the Tasha Weaver on the Downtown Lowdown podcast to talk about sponsoring the Downtown Tipp City Partnership (DTCP) Christmas parade, why they chose Tipp City for their fourth branch, and how they plan to keep giving back through loans, donations and simple warm gestures. Parade Sponsorship And A “Free” Night OutChief Experience Officer Lisa Burke, Tipp City Branch Manager Danielle Daugherty, and Director of Community Relations Patty Anderson said Abbey Credit Union signed on as presenting sponsor for the DTCP Christmas parade because it is a major community event that brings families together. They praised Tipp’s downtown as a “storybook” setting and said they wanted to support an evening where families could make memories without worrying about cost. Abbey’s hot chocolate station drew an estimated 500 cups’ worth of traffic and even ran out, a sign of both demand and the event’s growth over last year. With hot chocolate, hot dogs, chili and cookies offered free through various partners, the parade and tree lighting gave families a no-cost night out. Why Abbey Came To Tipp CityThe Tipp branch is Abbey Credit Union’s fourth location, joining Vandalia, West Milton and Troy, and was driven by a long-standing member base in the community. Burke said Tipp City had always been on their radar, and when the former bank building on County Road 25A became available, the credit union moved quickly—opening within three days of getting the keys. Staff said the warm welcome from the DTCP, the Chamber of Commerce and local businesses confirmed they had chosen the right place. They noted that many existing Abbey members who previously traveled to other cities are now happy to have a branch close to home at 5129 S. County Road 25A. Supporting Small Business And Shopping LocalThe Abbey team said their grand opening set the tone for how they wanted to operate in Tipp: by promoting and partnering with small businesses. For that event, they intentionally worked with local shops and spent time walking downtown, meeting merchants and building relationships that have continued through regular shopping and collaboration. Tipp-opoly Games Now At AbbeyWith the seasonal Tipp-opoly board game selling briskly at a temporary pop-up on South Second Street, Abbey Credit Union has agreed to be one of the next retail locations once the pop-up closes. Beginning this week, residents will be able to walk into the Tipp branch and purchase Tipp-opoly alongside other select downtown outlets. Co-host Greg Enslen joked that demand might resemble a Black Friday rush, with customers “fighting” over the locally themed games—though staff quickly reassured listeners that any such scuffles would at least be caught on Abby’s security cameras! Weaver encouraged listeners who have not yet purchased a game to stop by Abbey to pick one up and say hello to the branch team. Holiday Loan Specials And New Account DonationsFor December, Abbey is offering a holiday loan special: a 12‑month loan at 8.99% interest for qualified members. The Tipp branch is also tying new memberships directly to local support by funding each new account with the $5 minimum deposit and donating $20 per new account to Tipp Monroe Community Services, up to $1,000. Director Patty Anderson said program funds can be used wherever the nonprofit sees the greatest need, from summer lunches to school backpacks, giving the agency flexibility to respond to families. Beyond financial products, Abbey is launching a “Warm Wishes” initiative in all branches this winter, stocking small care packages such as gloves or other cold-weather items for members who come in and need a little extra warmth. Branches are also selling $1 candy bars to benefit Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals through the Credit Unions for Kids program, reviving a fundraiser the credit union has run in past years. In addition, all four locations are collecting nonperishable food in barrels for First Place Food Pantry in Troy and business attire for the “Clothes That Work” program, which helps job seekers with resume support, training and appropriate clothing for interviews. Looking Ahead: Digital Upgrades And Member FocusAs Abbey looks to 2026, Burke said the credit union is investing in a stronger digital presence, including a revamped website and updates to its mobile app, guided by direct feedback from members. Abbey’s leaders emphasized that as a member-owned institution, they work for their members rather than outside shareholders, and that philosophy shapes ...