Credit Union Network for Financial Literacy

What Credit Union Network for Financial Literacy does

Credit Union Network for Financial Literacy (CUNFL) is a Credit Union Service Organization (CUSO) and the exclusive national licensor of The Berenstain Bears Financial Literacy Program, a youth-focused financial education and marketing platform sold to credit unions across the U.S. and Canada. Founded in 2013 as a wholly owned subsidiary of Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union and headquartered in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, CUNFL monetizes an exclusive licensing agreement with Berenstain Enterprises, Inc. that prohibits any other financial institution from pairing the Berenstain Bears characters with financial education. The core offering is a turnkey package combining two credit union-specific books (The Berenstain Bears Visit the Credit Union and a credit-union edition of The Berenstain Bears' Trouble With Money), the Cub Club membership program, branded "Cub Account" youth savings products, lesson plans, customizable marketing collateral, and a children's engagement website at cubclubonline.com. Supporting components include themed merchandise such as coin-counter graphics and bear costumes, plus the Bear Country Credit Union interactive literacy center operated by parent FMFCU.

CUNFL distributes exclusively to licensed credit unions through direct enterprise sales and recurring multi-year contracts, supported by webinars, industry trade publications, and referrals via credit union associations. The program is endorsed by the National Credit Union Foundation. Reported customer outcomes include a 30% average household membership lift in the first year of adoption, 100% increases in youth accounts for individual licensees (O Bee Credit Union, PrimeTrust FCU), and 3,800 Cub Accounts opened at Teachers FCU with $4.7MM in deposits within roughly two years of launch. Adoption has reached credit unions in 13 U.S. states and Canada, including named licensees such as FMFCU, RT Federal Credit Union, Armco Credit Union, Coastal Community FCU, Vacationland FCU, Okaloosa County Teachers FCU, O Bee CU, PrimeTrust FCU, Teachers FCU, Synergy FCU, Peach State FCU, and Providence FCU.

The underlying technology is content and curriculum rather than software-platform based: there is no public API, no SDK, no disclosed AI/ML components, and no app products. Revenue is generated through program licensing, one-time book sales, and merchandise/hardware sales to participating credit unions. As a CUSO subsidiary, CUNFL does not separately disclose financials and has no external venture funding; ownership and control rest entirely with Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union.

Name

Credit Union Network for Financial Literacy

Legal name

Credit Union Network for Financial Literacy, LLC

Website

https://cunfl.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

CUNFL is a Credit Union Service Organization and exclusive licensor of The Berenstain Bears Financial Literacy Program, selling branded youth financial education materials, books, and Cub Club memberships to credit unions across the U.S. and Canada.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Financial Education Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (61171), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Credit & Debt Management (Credit Scores, Loans, Repayment) (EDAAAJAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Community Credit Unions (Retail/Consumer Focus) (FSABAEAA)

Keywords

• Youth financial education
• Credit union services
• Financial literacy programs
• Branded education content
• Youth savings programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Chadds Ford

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Program Licensing to Credit Unions: CUNFL licenses The Berenstain Bears Financial Literacy Program to credit unions across the U.S. and Canada. Licensees receive rights to use Berenstain Bears characters, access to educational materials, Cub Club, branded youth savings accounts, and marketing collateral.
2. Book Sales: Sale of Berenstain Bears financial literacy books in the Credit Union Financial Literacy Series to licensed credit unions. Books include 'The Berenstain Bears Visit the Credit Union' and credit union editions of classic Berenstain Bears titles.
3. Merchandise and Supplies: Sale of Berenstain Bears themed merchandise including coin counter designs, authentic bear costumes, activity books, and promotional materials to participating credit unions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Credit Union Network for Financial Literacy (CUNFL) licenses The Berenstain Bears Financial Literacy Program exclusively to credit unions in the U.S. and Canada. The licensed package includes rights to use Berenstain Bears characters, lesson plans and educational materials, the Cub Club membership sub-program with branded youth savings accounts, two credit-union-specific books, and customizable marketing collateral. The end product enables credit unions to teach children ages 5-12 the 'Save, Share, Spend, Earn' money management concept while growing family membership.

Product overview

Credit Union Network for Financial Literacy (CUNFL) operates The Berenstain Bears Financial Literacy Program as its primary offering—a unified youth education and marketing platform for credit unions. The program centers on licensed Berenstain Bears characters to teach children the 'Save, Share, Spend, Earn' money management concept. Key products include two credit union-specific books (The Berenstain Bears Visit the Credit Union and The Berenstain Bears' Trouble With Money), the Cub Club membership component with branded Cub Accounts, the cubclubonline.com children's website, Bear Country Credit Union interactive literacy center, and themed marketing assets like coin counter designs and costumes. The program is distributed exclusively to licensed credit unions and is endorsed by the National Credit Union Foundation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Berenstain Bears Financial Literacy Program: A youth marketing and education program designed exclusively for credit unions that teaches children age-appropriate money management concepts using Berenstain Bears characters.
• Cub Club
• Bear Country Credit Union
• Credit Union Financial Literacy Series

Products and services

• The Berenstain Bears Financial Literacy Program A comprehensive youth marketing and education program designed exclusively for credit unions that teaches children money management through licensed Berenstain Bears characters. Includes lesson plans, activities, branded youth accounts, Cub Club membership, and access to credit union-specific books.
• Cub Club A youth membership sub-program featuring branded Cub Accounts, membership cards, birthday cards, activity books, customizable communications, and Berenstain Bears graphics designed to establish lifelong credit union relationships with young members.
• The Berenstain Bears Visit the Credit Union (Book) A book written and illustrated by Mike Berenstain exclusively for credit unions, teaching children about credit union membership and money management. Available customized with credit union logos.
• The Berenstain Bears' Trouble With Money (Credit Union Edition) A 1983 classic Berenstain Bears book re-released as a credit union edition, replacing all bank references with credit union references. Part of the Credit Union Financial Literacy Series.
• cubclubonline.com A dedicated children's website featuring games, activities, and financial wellness tips based on the Berenstain Bears series to reinforce money management concepts for members of participating credit unions.
• Bear Country Credit Union An 1,100 square foot interactive financial literacy center at FMFCU headquarters where children participate in hands-on role-playing activities to learn about credit unions and money management.

Quantifiable outcome

• 30% average increase in household membership within first year of program adoption
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• National Credit Union Foundation (NCUF)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2016NCUF endorsed The Berenstain Bears Financial Literacy Program in February 2016, recognizing it as an innovative and interactive financial education initiative. Gigi Hyland, NCUF Executive Director, joined the CUNFL Advisory Board in 2016.
• Berenstain Enterprises, Inc.coreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 1 January 2012Exclusive licensing agreement granting CUNFL rights to use Berenstain Bears characters for financial education programs. This partnership prohibits all other financial institutions from using Berenstain Bears in conjunction with financial education, creating a significant competitive moat. The partnership began in 2012 when CUNFL staff started developing the Berenstain Bears Financial Literacy Program.
• Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union (FMFCU)coreOthersFMFCU is the parent organization that created CUNFL as a wholly owned CUSO. FMFCU developed the original Berenstain Bears Financial Literacy Program and Bear Country Credit Union financial literacy center. FMFCU provides staffing, educational resources, and ongoing program support.
• Mike BerenstaincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMike Berenstain, Author, Illustrator, and President of Berenstain Enterprises, serves on the CUNFL Advisory Board. He wrote and illustrated 'The Berenstain Bears Visit the Credit Union' (2015) exclusively for the program.
• Gigi HylandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExecutive Director of National Credit Union Foundation joined the CUNFL Advisory Board in March 2016. She is recognized for her passion for financial literacy and commitment to the credit union movement.
• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)GTM or Marketing PartnerCFPB offers free financial education resources for consumers and credit unions. CUNFL hosts webinars featuring CFPB Senior Advisors to showcase these resources to credit unions.
• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCFPB's Money as You Grow Bookshelf includes Reading Guides for The Berenstain Bears' Trouble with Money, recognizing the program's educational value.
• NAFCU (National Association of Federally-Insured Credit Unions)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerNAFCU highlights FMFCU's financial literacy efforts during America Saves Week and promotes credit union financial education programs through industry communications.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Market position

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/bbearsflprogram
• Facebookfacebook.com/TheBerenstainBearsFinancialLiteracyProgram
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/credit-union-network-for-financial-literacy

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Credit Union Network for Financial Literacy