Nearly 80 TopLine Members Leave More Than $1 Million in Debt Behind -- Thanks to Partnership With LSS Financial Counseling Services

MAPLE GROVE, MN--(Marketwire - Mar 5, 2013) - In the past five years, nearly 80 members of TopLine Federal Credit Union have succeeded in paying off a staggering $1,159,065.73 in debt -- thanks to personal financial coaching and debt management plans they've received through LSS Financial Counseling (LSS), a Minnesota non-profit that provides access to free financial education services to help people better control their personal finances. TopLine first partnered with LSS in July of 2008, and since that time has been referring members to LSS certified consumer credit counselors for confidential advice and guidance on how to best manage their finances -- especially how to reduce their debt.

"In an era where so many people find themselves trapped by debt 'settlement' scams or can't find a way out of debt traps, TopLine has provided a resource with real solutions for debt," says Darryl Dahlheimer, program director, LSS Financial Counseling. "Its members have shown that great results can happen -- with a little help."

"Money problems can happen to anyone, but ignoring financial problems won't make them go away. It's essential to develop an approach to stay on top of money planning," says Harry Carter, TopLine President and CEO. "That's why TopLine is proud to partner with LSS Financial Counseling to help our members handle their finances. Together, we've been able to offer our members a way to help themselves manage debt."

Each TopLine Federal Credit Union member and family is allotted six free confidential financial education counseling sessions from LSS Financial Counseling annually -- which may be conducted by phone, in-person or online. TopLine has also hosted nearly 20 in-branch education sessions with LSS for its members.

LSS, with offices across Minnesota, is a member of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling. This state-wide organization provides face-to-face debt counseling, a counselor-on-call hotline and financial education to help with everything from debt management and improving credit to identity theft prevention.

TopLine Federal Credit Union, a Twin Cities-based credit union, is Minnesota's 13^th largest, with assets of more than $320 million. Established in 1935, the not-for-profit cooperative offers a complete line of financial services, as well as auto and home insurance, from its five locations -- in Bloomington, Brooklyn Park, Maple Grove, Plymouth and in St. Paul's Como Park -- as well as by phone and online at www.TopLinecu.com. Membership is available to anyone who lives, works, worships, attends school or volunteers in Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott or Washington Counties and their immediate family members.