PenAir Credit Union Announces Team Deale as Winners of 2025 Now Financial Fitness Competition

PenAir Credit Union (PenAir) announced that Team Deale won the 2025 NOW Program, a financial fitness competition designed to help participants strengthen their savings, reduce debt, and build long-term financial wellness habits. Pensacola residents Morgan and Jonathan Deale earned the program’s top prize after increasing their savings by nearly 190% and reducing their debt by 35% over the course of the competition.

The NOW Program is one of the many ways PenAir Credit Union brings its purpose of Enhancing Lives to life. By pairing participants with certified financial counselors, the program offers personalized coaching, accountability, and practical tools that help individuals and families take control of their finances and create lasting change.

“Being part of the NOW Program completely changed how we approach money as a family,” said Morgan Deale. “We learned that small, consistent decisions can lead to significant progress over time. What began as a goal to improve our finances became greater confidence, better communication, and a stronger future for our family.”

Throughout the competition, Team Deale worked closely with PenAir Certified Financial Counselor Matthew O’Rear to build sustainable financial habits and make meaningful progress toward their long-term goals, including retirement savings and a stronger financial safety net for their family.

“Morgan and Jonathan embraced every step of the process and remained committed even when challenges arose,” said Matthew O’Rear, Certified Financial Counselor at PenAir Credit Union. “Their success proves that with the right support, education, and mindset, families can make incredible progress toward financial freedom.”

NOW is a six-month financial wellness competition that helps participants better understand their income versus expenses while building healthier spending habits, reducing debt, improving credit, and growing savings. Participants work one-on-one with PenAir’s Certified Financial Counselors and share their journeys publicly to inspire others in the community to take steps toward financial wellness.

The competition also featured other finalist teams who spent months working with their PenAir coaches to transform their financial futures. The second- and third-place teams received cash prizes of $5,000 and $2,500, respectively.

“The NOW Program continues to demonstrate the life-changing impact of financial education and personalized coaching on families in our community,” said Lee Morgan, President and CEO of PenAir Credit Union. “At PenAir, we are committed to walking alongside our members as they overcome obstacles, achieve their goals, and build brighter financial futures. That’s what Enhancing Lives is all about.”

More information about PenAir Credit Union’s NOW Program, including details on Team Deale’s journey and future competition opportunities, is available at penair.org/NOW.