Stephen J. White recipient of 2025 PBN Leaders and Achievers Award
Wednesday, September 17, 2025
WESTERLY, RI, September 17, 2025: Westerly Community Credit Union (WCCU) is proud to announce that CEO Stephen J. White has been named a recipient of the 2025 Leaders and Achievers Award by Providence Business News (PBN). This recognition honors his more than three decades of dedicated service and transformative leadership in the credit union industry.
This award is a testament to his unwavering commitment to community growth and member trust. Since starting at WCCU in 2000, he has overseen a period of significant expansion, transforming the credit union from a modest two-branch institution with $85 million in assets to Rhode Island’s fifth-largest credit union. Under his guidance, WCCU's assets have grown to over $502 million, serving more than 22,000 members across five branches.
"I am honored to receive this award. Our success has always been driven by our commitment to our members and the communities we serve, and I'm incredibly proud of the trust we've built together."
Beyond the credit union's financial success, White's leadership has been defined by his forward-looking approach and deep community ties. He added a Contact Center and Operations Center, expanded digital services to compete with national banks, and fostered a workplace culture focused on member care.
His personal commitment to the community is just as strong. Steve is a past member of the Credit Union Executive Society (CUES). He is a former past Chairman of the Credit Union Association of Rhode Island (now a part of the Cooperative Credit Union Association) and is currently on the Board of Directors of the Cooperative Credit Union Association, Westerly Education Endowment Fund and the Ocean Community YMCA.
As White prepares for his retirement in early 2026, his legacy of service and growth will continue to inspire the WCCU community.
Westerly Community Credit Union operates branch locations in Westerly, Richmond, Wakefield, and Coventry. Membership is available to individuals who reside or work in Rhode Island, New London County, CT, and Windham County, CT.
To explore membership opportunities or learn more about Westerly Community Credit Union, please visit our website at www.westerlyccu.com.
About Westerly Community Credit Union:
The WCCU mantra, #WCCUCares, emphasizes their focus on caring about their members, their members’ financial success, and their community. Established in 1948, Westerly Community Credit Union is a local, full–service financial institution that currently serves over 23,000 members with lending and deposit products through convenient locations in Westerly, Richmond, Wakefield, Coventry, and online at www.westerlyccu.com. Recent WCCU awards: Westerly Sun’s 2024 Community Choice for Best Credit Union and Best Financial Planning Services; Southern RI 2024 Community Choice Awards for Best Credit Union; Southern RI 2023 Chamber Choice Awards “Spreadin’ the Love Giving Back Award”, as well as PBN’s Best Places to Work (2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025) and PBN’s Fastest Growing Companies (2024 and 2025).
This award is a testament to his unwavering commitment to community growth and member trust. Since starting at WCCU in 2000, he has overseen a period of significant expansion, transforming the credit union from a modest two-branch institution with $85 million in assets to Rhode Island’s fifth-largest credit union. Under his guidance, WCCU's assets have grown to over $502 million, serving more than 22,000 members across five branches.
"I am honored to receive this award. Our success has always been driven by our commitment to our members and the communities we serve, and I'm incredibly proud of the trust we've built together."
Beyond the credit union's financial success, White's leadership has been defined by his forward-looking approach and deep community ties. He added a Contact Center and Operations Center, expanded digital services to compete with national banks, and fostered a workplace culture focused on member care.
His personal commitment to the community is just as strong. Steve is a past member of the Credit Union Executive Society (CUES). He is a former past Chairman of the Credit Union Association of Rhode Island (now a part of the Cooperative Credit Union Association) and is currently on the Board of Directors of the Cooperative Credit Union Association, Westerly Education Endowment Fund and the Ocean Community YMCA.
As White prepares for his retirement in early 2026, his legacy of service and growth will continue to inspire the WCCU community.
Westerly Community Credit Union operates branch locations in Westerly, Richmond, Wakefield, and Coventry. Membership is available to individuals who reside or work in Rhode Island, New London County, CT, and Windham County, CT.
To explore membership opportunities or learn more about Westerly Community Credit Union, please visit our website at www.westerlyccu.com.
About Westerly Community Credit Union:
The WCCU mantra, #WCCUCares, emphasizes their focus on caring about their members, their members’ financial success, and their community. Established in 1948, Westerly Community Credit Union is a local, full–service financial institution that currently serves over 23,000 members with lending and deposit products through convenient locations in Westerly, Richmond, Wakefield, Coventry, and online at www.westerlyccu.com. Recent WCCU awards: Westerly Sun’s 2024 Community Choice for Best Credit Union and Best Financial Planning Services; Southern RI 2024 Community Choice Awards for Best Credit Union; Southern RI 2023 Chamber Choice Awards “Spreadin’ the Love Giving Back Award”, as well as PBN’s Best Places to Work (2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025) and PBN’s Fastest Growing Companies (2024 and 2025).