Thrivent Financial for Lutherans (Plus)

During the regular meeting , upper level Prante’s on Tuesday February 12^th members heard from the son of a member, Ed Uhlich’s son Will who is now a Financial Associate for Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.  He brought with him, from Fargo, Jake Carstensen, Thrivent’s local Community Engagement Leader.  They presented the origins of Thrivent in Wisconsin at the turn of the 20^th Century formed originally as two small companies:  German Lutherans in Appleton, WI and Norwegian Lutherans in Minneapolis, MN to insure local Lutherans after a disaster had revealed their financial vulnerability.  It was dedicated to neighbor helping neighbor wither it be due to the death of a bread winner, bringing in the crop when a farmer could not or raising a barn.  Today with the same values Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is a faith-based, not-for-profit, membership organization with nearly 2.5 million members.  In May 2012 they were ranked 332 on the Fortune 500 list of financial services organizations.  Unique amongst financial houses is that as a fraternal benefit society, thus no external shareholders to be beholden to; it has local chapters, a way for members to help.  With a variety of products for members they have $ 170 billion in insurance in force, and 75.8 billion in assets under management as well as strong reserves.  They also have educational capability with local workshops to teach members basic money management, ways of keeping the farm in the family despite taxes, and ways of being sure the kids will get a college education.  They also have a method to divide “profits” between the local faith community and individual member’s causes.  Both Will and Jake were quick to point out that while historically they began with Lutherans, thus the name, one no longer need to be a Lutheran, or even of the Christian faith to be a member. Will Uhlich

  Jake Carstensen