Farmers Insurance Federal Credit Union (FIGFCU) has been honored with the 2026 Gramercy Institute’s Financial Marketing Strategy award in the Credit Union category for its work with Farmers Insurance on the Protégé Line of Credit.
The Gramercy Institute Awards recognize excellence in financial marketing and communications, honoring programs that demonstrate measurable impact, strategic creativity, and meaningful audience engagement.
FIGFCU earned recognition for reimagining underwriting and launching a relationship-driven lending solution tailored specifically to aspiring Farmers Insurance agency owners transitioning into business ownership.
The Protégé Line of Credit addressed a critical cash flow gap for new agency owners by leveraging real-time performance insights from Farmers leadership to personalize loan pricing and deliver low-cost capital. Since launch, the program has generated strong loan demand, funded millions in capital, opened more than 150 accounts, driven new membership growth, increased cross-sell activity, and strengthened FIGFCU’s strategic partnership with Farmers Insurance, all while boosting agent morale during a pivotal career transition.
“This program represents the best of who we are as a credit union,” said Daniel Balcazar, assistant vice president of business banking at FIGFCU. “We listened to our field, identified a real financial barrier for aspiring Farmers Insurance agency owners, and built a solution that aligned smart risk management with genuine member advocacy. The results validated both the need and the strategy.”
Mirella Reznic, CEO of FIGFCU, emphasized the broader significance of the recognition.
“Being honored by the Gramercy Institute affirms our commitment to innovation and purpose-driven growth,” she said. “The Protégé Line of Credit is more than a product, it’s a strategic investment in the success of our Farmers Insurance Agent members and the communities they serve. We are proud to lead with creativity, partnership, and measurable impact.”
The award highlights FIGFCU’s continued focus on developing specialized financial solutions that strengthen business communities while driving sustainable growth.
