Login | March 07, 2026
New partnership between Akron Bar and local organization yields benefits for members
From left to right: John Demmler, CEO of 7 17, Brian Williams, Executive at 7 17 Western Market, Catherine Kurela, CEO of Akron Bar Association, Deborah Poland, Community Relations Director of Akron Bar Association, and Dorian Smith, Senior Vice President of Business Development and Marketing at 7 17. (Legal News Photo/Kimberly Pierson)
Brian Donahue
Legal News Reporter
Published: March 6, 2026
The Akron Bar Association has partnered with the 7 17 Credit Union to offer a new credit card that’s designed to benefit the organization and it’s members by providing tools to pay down debt and plan for the future of their families.
The idea is threefold: strengthen attorney resource development, enhance member engagement, and support the association’s long-term growth.
Under the program, the union will donate 7.17 cents for each swipe to the bar association. There are no annual, application or balance transfer fees and the card features a low 7.17% APR introductory and balance transfer rate.
The news was announced at a Feb. 24 press conference at the Akron Bar Association’s office.
“This is just another member benefit that I really think is going to help us take the entire association to the next level and make everyone’s lives in practice a little bit easier,” said Catherine Kurela, chief executive officer of the Akron Bar Association. “These rates are super competitive and can’t be touched by any traditional card out there.
“This will help diversify our income as an association so that we are not solely dependent on our membership dues and registration fees,” Kurela said. “By finding additional sources of income, it’s going to be better for the association and also for the members and their own funding.”
Kurela said she hopes the partnership will help its members with education for debt consolidation, financial planning for families, saving for college, and retirement.
She added the organization wants to do more than just provided resources for its members’ law practices; it also aims to help them achieve success for their families’ financial planning.
According to the press release from 7 17, the card will be issued as a co-branded Affinity VISA Credit Card.
Brian Williams, senior vice president and marketing executive of the Western Market of 7 17, who was also at the press conference, said he’s excited about the partnership.
Williams, who grew up in Akron and attended Buchtel High School described the opportunity as “something special.”
“At 7 17, we operate under a very simple principle: banking with purpose and building a stronger community,” Williams said. “Our success is measured by the financial strength of the people that we serve. That’s why every partnership we enter into must make sense. This partnership makes sense.”
He said the interest rate on the card is well below the national average and will be advantageous to members of the Akron Bar Association, helping them pay down their debt faster.
Williams said the card provides a “clear pathway to eliminate debt responsibly,” because there are no annual or application fees and no balance transfer fees.
“We focus on giving people real tools so they can keep more of what they earn in their pockets,” Williams said. “We want to be your partner at every step of your financial journey.
“We believe in customizing solutions that fit unique needs of professionals like yourself.”
The credit union is expanding, with plans to open its first full-service branch on April 6 at One North Hawkins Ave. in Wallhaven. Another will open a few months later in downtown Akron.
“This Affinity Card helps members reduce debt, strengthens the Akron Bar Association’s initiatives, and reinvests in the city that you and I are very proud of,” Williams said.
“We’re here to help people and to help build community,” said Dorian Smith, Senior Vice President of Business Development and Marketing for 7 17. “That’s what this card will do.”