This month marks a meaningful milestone at Premier—our CEO, Megan Tjernagel, is celebrating her third anniversary leading the organization. This celebration is the perfect opportunity to reflect on the progress we’ve made and the exciting direction our organization is taking.
At Premier, our mission is to make life better for our members and communities. This moment is a milestone for all of us—and this is only the beginning.
Zooming Out: A Vision with Intention
When Megan stepped into her role, she took time to look at where we’d been and where we needed to go—not for quick wins, but to create a clear roadmap forward.
“One of the most pivotal decisions early in my tenure was to take a step back and zoom out—to look at the bigger picture of where Premier Credit Union was and where we needed to go,” Megan said. “Rather than focusing solely on short-term goals, we committed to building a comprehensive strategic roadmap that would guide our growth and evolution.”
The leadership team designed this roadmap to ensure we grow in ways that remain authentic to our roots. From modern digital capabilities to the personal relationships Premier was built on, every decision begins with the same questions: What do our members need today? What will they need tomorrow? And how can we stay ahead while staying true to who we are?
Rowing in the Same Direction
From there, Megan aligned the entire team around that vision so every department, team member and board member moved forward with the same shared purpose.
“Once we had clarity on our vision, the next critical step was ensuring the entire team was aligned—on the same page and rowing in the same direction,” Megan said. “That alignment has been essential in building momentum and creating a shared sense of purpose across the organization.”
This alignment—between people, processes and purpose—has become one of our biggest strengths. It has allowed us to move forward with confidence, speed and clarity. It has also helped us ensure that our progress doesn’t come at the expense of our values.
A Core Conversion That Powers Member Possibility
We’ve been working hard to put our new roadmap into action, and the most significant initiative currently underway is our core conversion—a comprehensive upgrade to the systems that power our technology, member accounts and digital services. Make no mistake, this is much more than a routine software update. Instead, this marks a turning point that will enable us to support you in new ways.
“Our recent technology investments are all about one thing: creating a better, more seamless experience for our members,” Megan said. “Every investment is designed to gain efficiencies and ultimately make life easier for our members.”
Scheduled to go live in December 2025, this conversion lays the foundation for more innovative tools, faster performance and stronger account security.
We’ve carefully planned every phase of the transition to minimize disruptions and maximize transparency. Member communication is at the forefront, and we’ve empowered our team to be ready to answer questions and guide you along the way.
Expanding Access with a New Ankeny Branch
Just as we’re modernizing digitally, we’re also investing locally. In 2026, we’ll open a new branch in Ankeny, deepening our presence in central Iowa and reaffirming our commitment to serving members face-to-face.
As Ankeny continues to grow, we see this branch as a way to meet our members where they are, providing the same trusted service with more convenience and accessibility than ever before. Our new branch will offer personalized services, educational tools and modern amenities, including our Live Teller Machines, to one of Iowa’s fastest-growing communities. But more than that, it reinforces something we deeply believe: access matters—and personal support still matters, too.
Our Greatest Strength: The Team Behind the Progress
None of this progress—upgrades, expansion or service—would be possible without the Premier team.
“What’s impressed me most—and continues to inspire me every day—is the deep sense of family that defines the Premier team,” Megan said. “They bring grit, heart and are committed to our mission.”
Even amid big changes, our team never loses sight of what matters most: you. We’re here to serve you with dedication, empathy and expertise every day.
And we’re investing in ourselves, too. Through internal development, cross-training and new leadership opportunities, we’re ensuring that the people helping members today can also lead us into the future.
What Does This Mean for You?
For our members, this momentum is about creating a more intuitive, supportive experience tailored to your needs. We’re not just evolving as an organization—we’re evolving the ways we serve you every day.
We’re focused on removing friction, simplifying your day-to-day banking and giving you tools that fit your unique lifestyle. Our commitment is to meet you wherever you are so we can help you get where you want to go financially.
“At Premier, we lead with our purpose: to make life better for our members and the communities we serve,” Megan said. “We’re careful not to chase trends for the sake of growth alone.”
Our goal is to help you feel understood and supported. We care about your peace of mind—and we’re here to help you protect it.
Looking Forward, Together
Megan’s anniversary is a moment to reflect on how far we’ve come and recommit to where we’re going. We’re evolving with intention—making changes that matter and always keeping our members at the center of every decision. Whether you’ve been with us for decades or you’re just getting started with our credit union, you’re part of something meaningful here.
“I feel truly blessed to wake up every morning and work alongside such an extraordinary team,” Megan said. “The future is bright—and we’re just getting started.”
