By John Demmler
President and CEO, 717 Credit Union
“Banking with purpose, building a stronger community.”
This mission remains at the core of everything 717 Credit Union does. As we reflect on the past year, we have doubled down on our commitment to the Mahoning Valley while simultaneously ramping up for a new era of growth and regional expansion.
717 launched its partnership with the Akron RubberDucks in 2025 – renaming the ballpark 717 Credit Union Park. This long-term investment serves as a clear signal of our intent to put down deep roots in Akron as we plan to open branches in Summit County in the coming year.
While we look toward new horizons, we remain fiercely committed to our existing communities. July 17 marks 717 Day – and we celebrated by once again buying out the ballpark for Financial Wellness Night with the Mahoning Valley Scrappers. The evening was filled with food, the first-ever drone light show at a Scrappers game and brought over 9,034 people together to foster financial education.
Our membership remains robust, with nearly 130,000 members in Ohio and beyond. To support this scale, we remain invested in our established territories, including our Canton branch, which has served the area for over 30 years. As we push further into Stark and Summit counties, our workforce remains strong at over 320 dedicated employees.
We continue to focus on member needs, including affordable home ownership. Our no-closing-cost Your Keys, No Fees initiative aims to remove a barrier to that milestone, as does our Ohio Homebuyers Plus savings accounts in partnership with the Ohio Treasurer’s office.
We also launched our Affinity Partner Credit Card program in 2025, starting with the Greater Warren-Youngstown Urban League and adding four more throughout the year. It’s a credit card designed to get our members out of debt, not keep them trapped – while simultaneously providing financial support that goes back to local businesses with shared values of supporting their communities.
The past year has also been one of internal transition. Following the retirements of long-time leaders Mark Munno (senior vice president of delivery channels) and Brian Boettcher (senior vice president of innovation), we have strategically rounded out our senior team to ensure the member experience remains seamless.
Jeremy Wascak joined in 2025 as SVP of digital innovation, data and strategy, to ensure our products and technologies are competitive and user-friendly.
We’ve also hired Brian Williams as our western market executive and Kim Foster as our eastern market executive to maintain our high standards of member service as we prepare to grow.
We are also proud to accept several honors. 717 was named to Forbes’ list of Best Credit Unions in Ohio for the fourth consecutive year.
Newsweek recognized 717 as one of America’s Best Regional Banks and Credit Unions. Its study, which analyzed more than 9,400 banks and regional credit unions across the United States, awarded only the top 250 credit unions and top 250 regional banks. In order to receive such a top designation, the banks and credit unions had to meet certain scoring criteria that looked at stability, profitability, risk exposure during uncertain times and the overall health of the organization.
As 717 Credit Union looks toward the future, our evolution is defined by a “members-first” philosophy. Whether we’re innovating our digital platforms or expanding our physical footprint, our goal remains unchanged: providing the financial steady ground our members need to thrive.
717 is more than a financial institution. We’re a community partner – and we’re just getting started.
Pictured at top: 717 President and CEO John Demmler, left, and Ohio Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel talk before Tressel throws out the first pitch at a July 2025 RubberDucks game after 717’s partnership announcement.
