WESTBROOK, ME) – Synergent® is pleased to announce it has received two Diamond Awards from America’s Credit Unions for an innovative auto lending marketing campaign developed in partnership with Bayer Heritage Federal Credit Union.
The campaign earned Category’s Best in the Audience-Specific Marketing category, as well as recognition in the Complete Campaign category. More than 180 credit unions were honored with Diamond Awards on March 24, 2026, at the Marketing, PR & Development Council Conference in Aurora, Colorado.
“Partnering with Bayer Heritage FCU on this campaign was a great example of what happens when strong partnership, clear strategy, and bold creative come together,” said Doug MacDonald, VP, Marketing Solutions at Synergent. “Together, we built a campaign that stood out, resonated with members, and, most importantly, delivered meaningful results toward the credit union’s lending goals. It is especially rewarding to see that work recognized by the industry.”
The campaign demonstrated that a bold, playful creative approach paired with clear financial incentives can turn auto loan refinancing from a passive consideration into an immediate, action-driven decision. The postcard medium proved highly effective at cutting through digital clutter, delivering a clear value proposition at a glance, and driving qualified traffic to both digital and in-branch application channels.
Direct mail remains a powerful conversion tool for complex financial products when supported by strong design, concise messaging, and integrated digital follow-up. By combining eye-catching creative with friction-reducing incentives, the campaign exceeded refinancing volume and engagement goals, outperforming expectations during a traditionally slower summer lending period and reinforcing Bayer Heritage FCU’s belief that confident, creative marketing can deliver meaningful results.
The America’s Credit Unions Diamond Awards are among the most prestigious honors in the credit union industry, recognizing creative excellence and measurable results.
“Congratulations to all of this year’s Diamond winners,” added MacDonald. “It’s inspiring to see the level of creativity and impact across the credit union movement.”
Since 2017, Synergent Marketing Solutions and its credit union partners have earned 64 industry awards, including 23 Diamond Awards, across a wide range of marketing and communications categories.
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About Synergent®
Synergent® is a credit union-owned managed services provider that has been supporting credit unions since 1971. As a trusted host of Jack Henry™ Symitar® core processing, Synergent delivers fully integrated solutions across core, payments, technology, and marketing—streamlining operations and helping credit unions focus on serving their members. More than a provider, Synergent acts as a strategic partner, offering end-to-end support from solution selection and implementation to optimization and ongoing service. For more information, visit www.synergentcorp.comor call 800-341-0180.
About America’s Credit Unions
America’s Credit Unions is a national trade association that gives a unified voice to credit unions across the country. In partnership with Leagues and system partners, they advocate for policies that help credit unions succeed. They empower credit unions to better serve their members, helping people reach their financial goals and strengthening the communities they call home. For more information about America’s Credit Unions and the annual awards, please visit https://www.americascreditunions.org/.





