Coastal Federal Credit Union announced the launch of their new VIP Program on January 25 as a new initiative aimed at paying qualified members a special dividend of $1.5 million.  The payout was prompted by Coastal’s continued commitment to give back to its members who actively participated in the cooperative over the past year, making it one of the most significant initiatives in Coastal’s 45-year history.  This latest contribution added to their already notable position as a leading innovator within the credit union industry.

The VIP Program was designed to reward members who have their primary checking account at Coastal with special benefits and exclusive offers. Members qualified for the VIP Program by performing 144 withdrawals from their Coastal checking accounts during 2011.

“We feel we have a very unique program model,” said Chuck Purvis, Coastal’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. “Our VIP program is built solidly around our checking accounts and using Coastal as your primary institution.  Likewise, our dividend payouts stand out from traditional patronage dividends in the way they put depth of relationships ahead of volume.”

Among the program benefits, members had the opportunity to earn Loan Rebate Dividends and Deposit Bonus Dividends, which ranged from $100 to $500. Of the 47,000 members who earned VIP status this year, more than 6,000 received a dividend.

“Those are the members who make us successful and we wanted to share our success with them, Purvis added. “It would have been easy to give every member a small dividend, but we felt that lacked substance. “Seven and eight dollar payouts might not get noticed, but even members who knew in advance that they were getting a payout were pleasantly surprised when they saw $200 or $300 in their account.”

The special dividends were earned by being a VIP member with either two or more loan types, or two or more deposit types. Eligibility for each dividend was calculated separately, recognizing that they typical Coastal member transitions from being a borrower to a saver.

“It’s best for us and best for the member if we consider their life stage and which products are relevant to them,” Purvis summarized. “Our aim is to reward them for choosing us when they have a need.”  

The $1.5 million dollar payout was a result of Coastal’s prosperous 2011 financial year. This was the second consecutive year Coastal’s net income increased, adding to their overall profitability by 153.7% to $24.4 million.  The credit union’s net worth ratio also improved to 9.03% fueled by the credit union opening more than 11,000 new checking accounts and 1,300 mortgages.

State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) members have once again made North Carolina students a priority through the renewal of the “People Helping People” SECU Foundation high school and community college scholarship programs.  These programs represent an annual commitment of over $4 million, with a collective total of $32 million since the initial scholarship funding was approved in 2004.

The high school program provides a $10,000 four-year college scholarship to a graduating senior from each of North Carolina’s traditional public high schools, as well as two charter high schools.  The scholarship is awarded for study at one of the 16 constituent campuses in the University of North Carolina system.  The community college program provides two $5,000 scholarships to each of the 58 North Carolina community colleges.

Recipients for both scholarship programs are selected by the individual school scholarship committees.  Selections are based on a student’s embodiment of the credit union “People Helping People” philosophy demonstrated through leadership, excellence of character, integrity and community involvement, along with an overall grade point average of 2.5 or higher.

Haley Kuhn of Charlotte, N.C. received a $5,000 community college scholarship to Central Piedmont Community College in 2009.  Upon successful completion of her community college studies in 2011, she wrote to SECU members, “I wanted to take the time to say thank you.  It is because of your generosity that I was able to obtain an Associate of Arts degree.  I plan to continue my education career at the University of North Carolina Charlotte by obtaining a degree in special education.  My dreams will be fulfilled when I begin teaching handicapped children.  I just wanted you to know that the scholarship was truly appreciated and that my future is helping people.”

Chrystal Parnell	Julie George	Cathy Pace

Award winners are Cathy J. Pace, president of the credit union division, Julie George, managing director of JBA Benefits, and Chrystal Parnell, assistant vice president, marketing.

The Women Extraordinaire Award honors women of outstanding accomplishment who are leaders, innovators and problem-solvers, and who serve as an inspiration and mentor to others. Winners include executives, business owners or community leaders who have demonstrated significant business achievement and community involvement.

The three women were among 25 other Triad winners recently honored at an awards luncheon in Winston-Salem. They will also be profiled in an upcoming Business Leader magazine edition.

“All three are very deserving of this award and are truly extraordinary women,” said Allegacy CEO/President W.K. (Ike) Keener, Jr. “We are extremely proud of all they do for Allegacy, our member-owners and the difference each one makes in the community.”

Pace is a 33-year veteran of Allegacy and has played a critical role in Allegacy's growth from 17,000 members and nearly $50 million in assets in 1978 to more than 110,000 members and nearly $1 billion in assets today. She is also committed to raising awareness and funds for women’s health-related causes. Pace currently serves on the following local boards: Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center Comprehensive Cancer Center regional advisory board, Hospice Palliative Care, and Sara Lee Center for Women's Health Cancer Services, Inc.

With over 16 years of management experience, George has brought a passion for employee education to her role at JBA Benefits for 2011.  Her involvement in the day-to-day allows her to play an integral role in setting the strategic plan and vision for the organization. She is also active in the community as President-elect of the Triad Association of Health Underwriters (TAHU) and serves on the North Carolina Association of Health Underwriters Board (NCAHU).

 In her role as vice president of marketing, Parnell was recently responsible for launching the first-ever, multi-media advertising campaign for Allegacy. The highly successful campaign initiated an effective local push for consumers to “Unlike Your Bank” and switch to a credit union. As a result of this campaign, Allegacy welcomed more than 2,700 new members, 2,200 new checking accounts and almost 3,000 loan applications. Parnell is also active in the community as she participates in many local non-profit fundraising events and as a member of the board of directors for the NC Triad Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

On January 1, 2012, over 7,600 members of Premier Federal Credit Union received 5% of the interest paid in 2011 on eligible loans.  Each member’s portion of the more than $230,000 given back was deposited into their savings account.  This is the second year in a row that Premier has given a 5% rebate.

“The credit union philosophy as a financial cooperative is to return our profits to our members-owners.  We are pleased to be in the financial position that afforded us this opportunity!” stated Lori Thompson, President and CEO.  The decision to give the interest rebate was made by the Board of Directors at the meeting held in November with the announcement being made to the membership in the winter newsletter.  “The response from our members has been very positive.” said Thompson,  “Some were calling before year end in anticipation of how much their rebate would be.  Now that it has posted, they are even more excited. This is a great way for us to thank them for their business!”  said Thompson.

As North Carolina Governor Beverly Perdue announces a new Individual Income Tax Debt Relief Program, State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) is teaming up with the North Carolina Department of Revenue and the Office of State Personnel to get the word out about another special advantage for SECU members --- an Individual Income Tax Debt Payment Loan.  State Employees’ Credit Union will offer qualifying members a 5% loan to repay unresolved balances, generating tremendous overall savings for these members and allowing them to take advantage of up to 35% in a penalty/fee waiver being offered by the State.

The Department of Revenue’s new program is being offered from January 18, 2012 through April 30, 2012, when taxpayers will have an opportunity to repay past due taxes, with DOR waiving unpaid penalties and collection fees.  Those interested in the program should contact one of the North Carolina Department of Revenue Service Center locations located across the State --- Office locations with maps and phone numbers.

While over 185,000 North Carolina taxpayers have unresolved tax balances totaling nearly $800 million, the average unresolved obligation is approximately $4,600, with 105,000 taxpayers owing less than $2,000.  Under this new loan program, an SECU member who owes $2,000 in back taxes and interest can expect savings of approximately $700 via the waiver of penalties and fees on the taxes; one who owes $4,000 would save nearly $1,400 in penalties and fees on back taxes.  Terms of the SECU loan will, in most cases, allow for payments of $50 to $125 per month. 

Spencer Scarboro, Senior Vice President of Loan Originations at SECU, commented, “As a member-owned financial cooperative, State Employees’ Credit Union strives to help its members achieve financial success.  The SECU Individual Income Tax Debt Payment Loan Program ties in nicely with the objectives of the Credit Union, offering members affordable rates and simplified underwriting.  Resolving past due tax liens can have a highly positive impact on the credit standing of a member, often resulting in lower credit costs, lower costs for insurance, housing and medical services, and improved employment opportunities in a difficult economy.  We encourage qualifying SECU members to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to improve their financial standing.”

“This program will directly help our taxpaying citizens who have faced financial challenges during this economic downturn,” said Linda Millsaps N.C. Department of Revenue Chief Operating Officer.  “With partners like SECU supporting this effort, more people will be able to resolve their tax obligations and have a fresh start in 2012.”

State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) is once again joining forces with College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC) and the North Carolina Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NCASFAA) to help high school seniors and their families complete and electronically submit their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) forms.  On FAFSA Day, Saturday, February 18th, SECU personnel will be on hand from 9 am to 12 noon in all 239 Credit Union branch locations to provide assistance with the forms, which are required for state and federal college aid.

As a result of SECU’s participation, FAFSA sites will be available in all 100 North Carolina counties.  The Credit Union can assist SECU members in any of its branch locations; however, in counties with FAFSA sites only at SECU, the Credit Union can serve members and non-members.  To register for FAFSA Day, individuals should visit CFNC.org/FAFSAday. 

Paulette Bowden, SECU Vice President of IRA Systems and Projects states, “We are very pleased to partner with CFNC and NCASFAA to help students and their families with documents that are vital to the financial aid process.  As an educationally-focused organization, SECU feels strongly about participating in an event that can help students get the financial support necessary to continue their education.  The FAFSA is the first step in that financial process.  In 2011, SECU personnel assisted nearly 2,000 students on FAFSA Day and we look forward to surpassing that number in 2012!”

(Note: this information written and provided by the National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions.)

NerdWallet.com, a personal finance website, announced on Monday its inaugural list of Top 10 Community-Oriented Credit Unions, and the National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions (Federation) was pleased to report that it counts seven of the ten credit unions on the list among its member community development credit unions (CDCUs), credit unions with a focus on serving low- and moderate-income communities, minorities and other at-risk populations.

"We are extremely pleased to see some of our outstanding CDCUs on this list," said Federation President/CEO Cliff Rosenthal. "The work of community development credit unions is challenging, expensive and time-consuming, but credit unions such as these, which are among our high-performing CDCUs are showing the world day-in and day-out that serving low-income communities can be done effectively and profitably."

 "2011's community-oriented credit unions are outstanding examples of how credit unions enrich the lives of their members and more. Profits are returned to members, so that money stays local; but on top of that, these institutions truly make an investment in their communities," said NerdWallet CEO and founder Tim Chen.

According to Laura Edgar, NerdWallet's credit union specialist, "NerdWallet looked at hundreds of websites and articles before deciding on the top 10 community-focused credit unions. In particular, we were looking for credit unions with innovative programming and a successful track record of helping under-served populations. We wrote the article to spread awareness of the amazing work credit unions can do for our communities."

NerdWallet's Top 10 Community-Oriented Credit Unions of 2011 are:
• Alternatives Federal Credit Union (Ithaca, NY)*, for its support of small businesses;
• Cooperative Federal Credit Union (Syracuse, NY)*, for promoting equality;
• Hope Federal Credit Union (Jackson, MS)*, for its community infrastructure support;
• ASI Federal Credit Union (Harahan, LA)*, for its newly launched microloan program;
• Latino Community Credit Union (Durham, NC)*, for its outreach to at-risk populations;
• Family Trust Credit Union (Rock Hill, SC), for its personalized financial counseling services;
• Alliant Credit Union (Chicago, IL), for its loan assistance program;
• Self-Help Credit Union & Self-Help Federal Credit Union (Durham, NC & Oakland, CA)*, for its innovative "micro-branch";
• Generations Federal Credit Union (San Antonio, TX), for its online financial literacy resources;
• Freedom First Federal Credit Union (Salem, VA)*, for its work supporting local nonprofits
*Denotes Federation-member community development credit union.

For more detailed profiles on each of the top community-oriented credit unions, visit NerdWallet.com at: http://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/nerdwallets-top-community-credit-unions/.

Launched in 2010, NerdWallet focused primarily on credit card rankings, scouring the financial universe to bring consumers any and every bank and credit union credit card program they could find and provide their own unbiased take on what the various rewards programs or deposit accounts are actually worth. Their goal is to help consumers find the right financial products to save them the most money. Over the past year, however, NerdWallet has begun to expand and build-out its resources for consumers, with a blog dedicated to money-saving tips and advice for consumers and a new credit union finder application.

Among other areas NerdWallet hopes to further expand on its website are its consumer financial literacy resources; ways to help unbanked and underbanked individuals and families locate affordable regulated financial institutions; and educating consumer on the differences between various types of financial institutions (banks and credit unions; community development banks and community development credit unions; and non-depository community development financial institutions (CDFIs) such as community development loan funds and community development venture capital funds; check cashers, payday lenders, and so on).

(Note: this information written and provided by the Cooperative Council of North Carolina.)

The Cooperative Council of North Carolina announces that it will celebrate and promote cooperatives and credit unions during the International Year of Cooperatives.  Adopted by the United Nations General Assembly, the United States Senate and by countries all around the world, the 2012 International Year of Cooperatives (IYC) is being recognized globally.  The purpose of this crusade is to push the cooperative movement around the world and to provide cooperative businesses and organizations with an unprecedented opportunity to build public awareness about co-ops and the important role they play in our economy.

 Cooperatives are businesses that are owned and democratically controlled by their members—the people who use the co-op’s services or buy its goods.  Cooperatives promote the fullest possible participation in the economic and social development of all people.  Cooperative enterprises are united by the principles and values that guide business decisions based on member need and are to the benefit of the community served.  In short, cooperatives are socially responsible businesses, strategic community partners and are often the preferred employer in their communities.

 In the United States, The National Cooperative Business Association (NCBA), a driving force behind the IYC efforts, is committed to seizing the opportunities that this campaign can provide including increasing awareness of cooperatives, helping to build and sustain the co-op movement and its capacity for growth and innovation, and encouraging and identifying legacy initiatives throughout 2012 that will have a lasting impact.  “Cooperative enterprise has a long and strong history in this country, beginning when Ben Franklin organized the Philadelphia Contributionship, a mutual insurance company still in operation today,” says Paul Hazen, CEO for NCBA.  “It’s the best business model in the world because it is guided by a set of principles and values, innovates to meet member needs, and puts people first.”

 The logo and theme for the 2012 IYC campaign, “Cooperative Enterprises Build a Better World,” were created by the International Co-operative Alliance (ICA) and the United Nationals to be used around the world throughout the year.  The theme reflects the contribution of cooperatives to the communities they serve while the logo evokes the definition of a co-op as an autonomous association of individuals who unite voluntarily to meet their common needs and goals.  This massive movement has also bombarded the Internet with promos on YouTube, social media sites and numerous co-op websites.

 In North Carolina, the Cooperative Council is working with its local cooperatives to promote this movement in our state.  “It is vital that co-op members, staff and leaders join together to support this campaign,” states Jennie Gentry, Council President.  “This is a great opportunity for cooperatives to unite and show our communities, our state, and our nation how special the co-op business structure is and how much good co-ops do for the economy and for the members they serve.”

 Efforts to support the 2012 IYC campaign in North Carolina include increased co-op education, celebratory events, media coverage and co-op promotions.  The Council is currently playing a role in helping to create new leadership programs for youth and cooperative curriculum to be used nationally.  The organization is also working with Cabot Cheese and many of our state’s cooperatives to support the 2012 Community Tour, a two-month bike tour with daily stops from Miami, Florida to Portland, Maine along the East Coast Greenway System.  Credit unions, electric and telephone cooperatives and farm credit organizations are also assisting in these efforts, which will include six events in a one-week time span when the tour reaches North Carolina in June.  “We are working hard to spread the word about cooperatives in our state.  The community tour is something we immediately knew we wanted to be a part of to celebrate the co-op movement and to honor citizens for serving their communities,” states Gentry.

 The history behind IYC started on October 18, 2009 when the United Nationals General Assembly proclaimed 2012 as the International Year of Cooperatives.  The UN resolution, entitled “Cooperatives in Social Development,” recognizes the diversity of the cooperative movement around the world and commends the cooperative business model in achieving economic viability while contributing to social and community benefits.   In his announcement of the International Year of Cooperatives, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stated, “Cooperatives are a reminder to the international community that it is possible to pursue both economic viability and social responsibility.”
 
 The United States Senate adopted the resolution in August, 2011 in a unanimous vote.  The start of the US celebration coincides with the UN’s global launch, officially announced at an event on October 31, 2011 in New York City, which highlighted speeches and discussions by foreign dignitaries and cooperative leaders.  Other events will be held throughout 2012.   

 According to a study by the University of Wisconsin Center for Cooperatives, more than 29,000 cooperatives operate in every sector of the economy and in congressional districts; Americans hold over 250 million co-op memberships.  US cooperatives generate 2 million jobs and make a substantial contribution to the US economy with annual sales of $652 billion and processing assets of $3 trillion.  Cooperatives operate across all sectors of the US economy and include agriculture, food distribution and retailing, childcare, credit unions, purchasing, worker-owned, housing, health care, energy and telecommunications cooperatives.     

 Council President Gentry states, “2012 International Year of Cooperatives is a legacy year that cooperatives and their members will remember for years to come.  The way co-ops and organizations have united to support each other and their unique business structure has been amazing. Co-ops take care of their members and provide excellent customer service.  There is no other business like it.”

Children and their families who find themselves at Levine Children’s Hospital in Charlotte will have a new place to take a respite come this fall, thanks to a project coordinated by the Carolinas Credit Union Foundation (CCUF) that just received a $25,000 donation by Local Government Federal Credit Union (LGFCU).
 
The CCUF is taking the local lead to organize this project, which is being spearheaded by the Credit Union National Association (CUNA). The idea is to rally credit unions in the communities surrounding the two cities hosting the Democratic and Republican National Conventions. Charlotte is hosting the democratic convention this September.
 
LGFCU’s donation will go toward the renovation of a rooftop garden that serves as a playground and retreat for children and their families who find themselves at the hospital. After the Levine renovation, the CCUF seeks to accomplish a similar goal for a South Carolina children’s hospital. The financial target for the two-phased project in North and South Carolina is $600,000.
 
“We hope the two-phased approach will help build political goodwill for the two states,” explains CCUF President John McGrail. “As the conventions bring the national spotlight to our area, we have the opportunity to shine a light on all the great things credit unions do in their communities every day.”
 
LGFCU President Maurice Smith would like to see other credit unions follow suit to ensure this project is a success.
 
“I issue a challenge to other credit unions,” says Smith. “This is our time to pull together and truly make a difference in the lives of the children in this hospital and their families. When all eyes are on us, let’s show the kinds of great things we can do.”

The Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC) announced today at press conference at the historic North Carolina Mutual Insurance Building in Durham, the investment of convention funds in two North Carolina minority-owned banks.  The DNCC deposited two million dollars each in non-interest bearing accounts with Mechanics and Farmers Bank and the Latino Community Credit Union.

“The DNCC is working to bring Americans together to strengthen the economy in a way that creates more opportunity for all communities,” said Steve Kerrigan, DNCC CEO.  “The funds deposited with Mechanics and Farmers Bank and the Latino Community Credit Union will help these institutions expand lending and economic development efforts to communities across the state.  And the historic North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Building, the oldest and first African American-owned insurance company in the country, is a fitting backdrop for this announcement.”

With each convention the DNCC has made a practice of depositing a portion of its federal grant in minority-owned banks in the city where the Democratic National Convention is being held. The tradition aims to provide local business institutions and their customers with financial and public support in advance of the convention.

“The city of Durham is thrilled to host the DNCC for this announcement,” stated Mayor Bill Bell. “Mechanics and Farmers Bank and the Latino Community Credit Union are strong community partners, and the convention’s investment in these banks will make a difference where it matters in the city of Durham and across the state of North Carolina.  We value the DNCC’s commitment to diversity in choosing these two institutions.”

“We are appreciative and pleased that the DNCC has chosen to invest in Mechanics and Farmers Bank’s mission,” said Kim Saunders, President and CEO of Mechanics and Farmers Bank. “As one of North Carolina’s select few Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), Mechanics and Farmers Bank plays a critical role in expanding access to capital and providing lending services to North Carolina markets that traditionally have been underserved.”

“The Latino Community Credit Union (LCCU) is appreciative of the $2 million dollar deposit,” stated Alison Beck Yonas, Vice President of Finance for Latino Community Credit Union. “It will continue to help us put deposits from institutions and individuals to work to help improve our local communities, through loans for working families to own their own homes, to build a credit history, or to improve their microbusiness.  LCCU’s presence has been shown to reduce crime and improve property values, for the benefit of all North Carolinians.”

SECU members have once again shown their strong support of youth financial education through a third SECU Foundation grant – this one totaling $250,000 to help fund the production of a fifth season of Biz Kid$ programming.  Biz Kid$ is a credit union-backed, award winning public television series for middle school students, using 30 minute episodes to teach youth the concepts of saving, budgeting and entrepreneurship.

The SECU Foundation began its initial support for the series in 2009, and SECU started training personnel on this curriculum to incorporate Biz Kid$ into its financial education offerings for North Carolina middle schools.  Since 2009, SECU has provided 245 presentations reaching 6,078 North Carolina youth.  SECU also works with the N.C. Department of Public Instruction to train teachers on the program.  Biz Kid$ television episodes and corresponding learning activities are shared with middle school students primarily in Social Studies and Career & Technical Education classes.
 
Jim Barber, SECU Foundation Chair comments, “As an organization that focuses heavily on financial education, SECU has seen great success in delivering financial concepts to North Carolina middle school students with Biz Kid$ and its accompanying curriculum.  This success made it an easy decision to continue Foundation support of Biz Kid$ production.  We look forward to another great season of this educational programming.”

Attendees are front row from left: Andrew Cooke-LCFH Foundation, Laurie Bystrom Pres. & CEO of LCFH, Jim Barber-SECU Foundation Chair, Clay Hughes-VP SECU Shallotte; back row from left: Milton Coleman-Shallotte Advisory Board Member, Mark Twisdale-Exec. Director SECU Foundation, Stuart Hudson-SVP SECU Wilmington, and Scott Milligan-Shallotte Advisory Board Chair.

A commitment of $1 million has been granted by State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) members, through the SECU Foundation, to the Closer to Home Hospice House (CHHH) Campaign for an inpatient hospice facility in Brunswick County.  This donation represents the largest gift to date for the CHHH Campaign, which will help construct a seven-bed facility in Bolivia, N.C. to be named SECU Hospice House, in honor of Credit Union members.

“We are overjoyed at the news and are thrilled to receive such a wonderful gift from the members of SECU,” said Sibyl and W.J. McLamb, chairs of the Closer to Home Capital Campaign.  “A donation of this magnitude demonstrates the need our community has for the inpatient hospice facility.”

“My heartfelt thanks to SECU’s local Brunswick County Advisory Board for their support of CHHH and to the SECU Foundation and its members for this generous gift.  Their commitment to our community will help us in our plans to successfully serve neighbors ‘closer to home,” added Cindy Cheatham, Development Manager for Lower Cape Fear Hospice and LifeCareCenter (LCFH&LCC).

Jim Barber, SECU Foundation Chair and Brunswick County resident stated, “The SECU Foundation is pleased to partner with LCFH&LCC to fill the obvious need for this facility in the Brunswick area.  Many SECU members and member families have benefited from hospice care and this project certainly aligns with the goals of the SECU Foundation.”

Pictured left to right:  Bill Umphlett-SVP Financial Advisory Services, Debra Patterson-Territory Mgr. IRS SPEC, Tenesha Carter-SVP Tax Preparation Services, and Fred McEllicott-Area 1 Director IRS SPEC

From January 23rd through April 17th of 2012, members can contact any of SECU’s 239 branches to schedule an appointment with a local SECU tax preparer.  Members with basic tax return needs and a 2011 household income of $50,000 or less may qualify for the no-cost VITA program.  For those with basic return needs who surpass the $50,000 income limit, SECU’s low cost tax preparation program is an option at just $75 per return.  Electronic filing is available with both services, allowing members to receive their tax refund in as little as 8-15 days.

Because SECU knows some members prefer to complete their own tax returns, the Credit Union also offers Intuit’s TurboTax® as a tax filing alternative available online at www.ncsecu.org.  By going through the SECU website, members will receive a 15% discount off standard online TurboTax® rates.

Tenesha Carter, SECU Senior Vice President of Tax Preparation Services states, “For the last few years, SECU has had great success assisting members through free and low cost tax prep services, helping them keep more of their money for life’s necessities.  With 239 SECU locations statewide and through elevated member awareness of these offerings, we hope to increase our reach even more.  In a struggling economy, everyone needs to take advantage of all money-saving opportunities for which they qualify, and SECU tax preparers are ready to help members do just that!”

Pictured: Donna Smith and Barbara Scullion help Santa and Johnnie Pruitt load up donated toys to be delivered to Brenner Children's Hospital

Nearly $1,000 worth of toys were donated by Members CU members and employees to Critical Children at Christmas (CCC), a non-profit organization directed by Members CU member, Johnnie Pruitt.

CCC collects and delivers toys to children admitted to Brenner Children's Hospital in Winston-Salem, NC. Pruitt, one of Santa's many helpers, delivered the toys door-to-door to the children's hospital dressed as Old Saint Nick on December 15th. In addition to collecting toys, Members CU raised over $290 to help purchase additional gifts for Brenner Children's Hospital through fundraising events at the credit union's Thomasville, NC and North Winston-Salem, NC Branches. During these events, patrons were invited to take a picture with Santa Claus in exchange for a new unwrapped toy or $5 donation. All proceeds from these events benefited Brenner Children's Hospital.

Piedmont Advantage Credit Union Volunteer George Price won election to the board of directors in 1961, when the credit union literally operated out of a shoe box. The credit union today includes nine branches and 46,000 members.

Credit Union President/CEO, Judy Tharp said of Mr. Price’s achievement, “Volunteering at Piedmont Advantage Credit Union for the past 50 years has been a passionate commitment of service and dedication for George. George takes his fiduciary responsibility seriously as is indicated by his 100% preparation for decision making which impacts our membership.”

Current board chairman Jim Taylor said upon presenting Mr. Price his 50 Year Service Pin, “our membership will forever be indebted to Mr. Price for his passion and dedication to the credit union industry. His contributions to Piedmont Advantage helped mold the credit union into the fine organization it is today.”

North Carolina Credit Union League President/CEO John Radebaugh said of Mr. Price’s accomplishment, “Credit unions are built on the idea of human service, and George Price embodies that principle. Through most of the credit union’s life, which has included many major changes and challenges, George has been a constant and steady influence.”

Piedmont Advantage Credit Union finds its roots deep within the airline industry, originally offered as a benefit for the employees of Piedmont Airlines. Mr. Price recounts stories of the credit union’s first days when deposits were literally kept in a shoe box in his desk drawer. Today, the credit union is a full service financial institution operating 9 branches and serving over 46,000 members across the nation. 

“We congratulate George on his 50 years of service to the credit union movement and wish him continued success”, said Radebaugh.

(Note: the following information provided by the National Credit Union Foundation.)

The National Credit Union Foundation (NCUF) oversees fundraising, outreach and administrative responsibilities of Biz Kid$ and is currently fundraising to achieve full funding for the fifth season, which will also put Biz Kid$ into syndication. 

“Biz Kid$ is a natural fit for credit unions and BECU to get behind,” said Gary Oakland, President/CEO of BECU and NCUF Chairman. “Financial education, and particularly youth financial literacy, is critically important to our movement and society at large. Thanks to Biz Kid$ unique style of ‘edutainment,’ kids of all ages are learning about money, credit, taxes, business, and becoming young entrepreneurs. ”

“We’ve seen great success with the show and accompanying curriculum throughout middle schools in North Carolina so it’s an easy decision to continually support Biz Kid$,” noted Mark Twisdale, Executive Director of the State Employees’ Credit Union Foundation. “Many of our staff are trained on the show curriculum and we also work with the N.C. Department of Public Instruction to train teachers on the program. We are looking forward to helping reach even more youth through both outreach and financial support.”

“Biz Kid$ has had a tremendous impact in advancing financial literacy, not only within the educational community, but in households across the world,” said Rudy Hanley, President/CEO of SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union.  “At SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union we are honored to support a program that educates, inspires and motivates the next generation of credit union members."

Biz Kid$ - Brought to You by America’s Credit Unions
In addition to these major gifts from three credit unions, CU Solutions Group (CUSG), through its Invest in America (IIA) program, recently donated $700,000 for the second year in a row. CUSG’s gift, combined with their 2010 $700,000 contribution, makes it one of the largest independent sponsors of Biz Kid$ alongside the National Credit Union Foundation.

Over the past six years, over 260 credit union system and affiliates have raised more than $10.4 million that has supported the show’s production, website and curriculum. In fact, every Biz Kid$ episode begins and ends with a narrator reminding viewers that: “Production funding for Biz Kid$ is provided by America’s Credit Unions, where people are worth more than money.” Credit unions can get information on supporting Biz Kid$ at ncuf.coop>National Programs>Biz Kid$>Support Biz Kid$.

Biz Kid$ - Teaching Kids about Money & Business
Biz Kid$, which premiered in January 2008, quickly grew into a national phenomenon. It has aired on over 340 public television stations in all 50 states with a viewership reach of 271 million people. Biz Kid$ has the highest recorded carriage of any children’s program have ever released by American Public Television, with a viewing audience of more than 1.2 million per episode. The website is currently receiving more than 100,000 unique visitors a month hailing from about 140 countries.

Many credit unions leverage Biz Kid$ to teach financial education in schools in their community. In addition to starter kits available from NCUF, companion materials and other resources for teachers and parents are available at no cost on the Biz Kid$ website, www.bizkids.com. The site also features clips from the series and invites kids to appear on the show.

Biz Kid$ has continually garnered attention in and outside of the credit union industry. In its first four seasons, Biz Kid$ has garnered seven Emmy nominations—winning once in 2009—and rang the closing bell ceremonies at both the New York Stock Exchange and the NASDAQ Exchange for the past three years in conjunction with National Financial Literacy Month. In 2010, it also won the credit union industry’s most prestigious honor, the Herb Wegner Award for Outstanding Program.

For more information about Biz Kid$, click here.

In addition to the generousity of the membership, FMC made a corporate donation to spur the credit union's efforts.

On Saturday, December 3rd, State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) completed its 2nd Annual “SECU Supports the Troops” campaign to provide 5,000 holiday gift boxes for North Carolina’s National Guard and Reservists deployed throughout the world.  Approximately 130 Credit Union employees, family members, and volunteers were on hand to “make it happen,” packing the gift boxes in just three hours.  Boxes were then loaded into a U.S. Postal Service eighteen-wheeler for delivery, with Raleigh, N.C. Postmaster Cheryl Picard even assisting in the packing effort.

SECU’s 239 statewide branches were collection sites for the donated “wish list” items that poured in from SECU members and local community groups.  “Wish list” items included travel size items of dental supplies, first aid items, soap, shampoo, travel games, socks, writing supplies, and snacks, and were topped off with special hand-written letters from North Carolina school children, thanking soldiers for their service to our Country.  Monetary donations from members to the campaign were used to help defray the costs associated with shipping.

Leigh Brady, SECU Senior Vice President of Education Services states, “SECU is proud to continue its support of our N.C. military personnel overseas.  N.C. National Guard soldiers and their families are within SECU’s membership base, making this project even more significant for our cooperative.  The excitement and success of last year’s campaign, including the heartwarming thank yous from soldiers who received gift packages, prompted the return of SECU Supports the Troops.  It’s another way SECU exemplifies the Credit Union philosophy of ‘People Helping People.’”

Assisting with the December 3rd packing project, McKinley Wooten, SECU Board of Directors Chairman remarked, “It’s more than just the number of packages the Credit Union is delivering, it is the demonstration of love that we have for our soldiers that makes this project special.  We want them to feel the care that goes into putting these boxes together.  Being involved in a project of this magnitude, supported by the membership and our local communities, sends a bit of comfort from home to these deployed men and women who serve and protect our Country every day!”

To break the ice the class was polled on how many of them knew what the recession was, how it had affected their families, and if they were involved in discussing their families finances. It was discovered that most students were only vaguely aware of the current economic climate but they knew it was affecting them somehow.  At that time the importance of setting aside an emergency savings fund and effective budgeting was discussed.

Mountain Credit Union also provided samples of rate sheets and explained how to shop for financial services by comparing fees and services much like you would shop for any other significant purchase.  Students were then engaged in a question and answer session.  Questions ranged from how to enter the financial services industry to  how ATM’s work.

“The students seemed genuinely interested in the subject and Mountain Credit Union is pleased to have established this relationship with Rugby Middle,” said Chris Angel, who is Mountain Credit Union’s Branch Manager in Fletcher, NC. “It is our hope to continue to expand our efforts and provide a fun and informative program to students who might otherwise have very little exposure to financial education.”

Credit unions can help their members save money during tax season—and gain valuable benefits—by participating in Invest in America’s TurboTax® and Jackson Hewitt® discount program. Based on the level of credit union participation/promotion, members can receive discounts on federal Turbo Tax products and a $30 coupon for Jackson Hewitt products and services.

After choosing their level of participation and enrolling online, participating credit unions will receive free, turnkey marketing materials and instructions for the upcoming tax season.

According to Invest in America, credit unions can gain the following benefits by participating in the program:
• increased member loyalty and retention, as 95 percent of members felt extremely favorable to their credit union for making the 2011 TurboTax discount available;
• increased assets, as 75 percent of members are extremely likely to deposit their tax refund in their credit union accounts; and
• increased website traffic and cross-selling opportunities.
For more information, visit the Invest in America website or contact Leslie Norush, CU Solutions Group, at (800) 262-6285, ext. 542 or Leslie.Norush@cusolutionsgroup.com.

Local Government Federal Credit Union (LGFCU) proudly announces the addition of seven new advisory council members to seven of its 28 councils across the state.

The new appointments are an integral part of LGFCU’s volunteer-driveninitiative not only to educate people on the benefits of credit union membership, but also to relay feedback to the board of directors regarding available/potentially available products and services, delivery of service and member needs.

Advisory council members, who represent the philosophical character of the credit union and contribute their time without compensation, function as LGFCU’s eyes and ears throughout the state, serving as liaisons between credit union members and non-members and LGFCU management.

October’s appointees are:

Central Mountain
Dan Barron, Avery-Mitchell-Yancey Regional Library, Director

Coastal Plain
Dillon Canady, Jacksonville Fire Department, Firefighter II

Eastern Carolina
Chris Roberson, Greene County, Assistant County Manager

Hatteras
Mazie Smith, Hyde County, County Manager

Southern Coast
Teresa Parker, City of Southport, Human Resources Technician

Southern Mountain
Susan Frady, City of Hendersonville, Zoning Administrator

Tar River
Barbara Aycock, Town of Black Creek, Town Administrator/Finance Officer

Using its affiliate program, Summit Credit Union allows any merging credit union access to the full benefits of Summit Credit Union while maintaining its prior identity. Merged credit unions may also participate in the operation and direction of the credit union in an advisory capacity. “The News and Observer Credit Union’s board was determined to keep their heritage and name in place,” said Sam Whitehurst, Summit’s President/CEO. “They are very proud of what they have accomplished in their 76-year history.”

Affiliated credit unions can maintain a strong brand identity through branded ATMs and logos, gather important statistical data, and take advantage of a greater economy of scale. “Our program combines the familiarity members of small credit unions appreciate with the convenience and advantage of doing business with a large institution.”

Pictured (from left): Jim Barber-SECU Foundation Chair, Mary Ann Rice-SECU SVP of Asheville-Biltmore Village, Linda Barber and McKinley Wooten, SECU Board of Directors Chair.

Turnout for the October 27th ceremony and SECU Cancer Center preview was tremendous with many supporters in attendance, including representatives from SECU’s Board of Directors, local SECU volunteer branch Advisory Boards and State Employees’ Credit Union staff.

During the luncheon, Trustees of Mission Foundation Campaign Chairman Peter Fontaine noted, “The Foundation team, the community and our many friends at State Employees’ Credit Union have come together and given generously during the past 24 months to reach this major goal.”

“The campaign is one of the largest, most successful campaigns in the region during the past decade,” added John Locke, Mission Foundation Campaign Director.  “It shows that when our region feels passionately about ‘taking care of its own’ they step up and give generously.”

SECU Foundation Board Chair Jim Barber also spoke at the ceremony luncheon saying, “SECU Foundation was formed with the philosophy of ‘People Helping People.’  By partnering with Mission Hospital and the Mission Healthcare Foundation, State Employees’ Credit Union members, via their Foundation, are able to continue putting this philosophy in practice.  Many SECU members and their families have been touched by cancer, and their landmark gift of $5 million to the SECU Cancer Center will help to bring a wide array of benefits to cancer patients living in Western North Carolina.”

Fort Bragg Federal Credit Union has collected the best recipes from group members, employees, family, and friends and compiled them into an attractive keepsake cookbook that is now available for sale to benefit the Warrior Transition Battalion, Fort Bragg, NC.

This cookbook is now on sale for only $12.00*. They may be purchased from any of the five Fort Bragg FCU branches.

The cookbook contains almost 300 well-loved recipes including appetizers, main dishes, desserts and many others. Recipes include the contributor’s name, enabling you to find the recipes of family and friends. Contributors from all over Fort Bragg/Fayetteville community donated their very best recipes to make this truly an outstanding cookbook that will surely become a staple with cooks of all ages and abilities.

Proceeds from the cookbook sales will benefit the Warrior Transition Battalion, Fort Bragg, NC who provides quality of care and support to our Warriors in Transition and their families from point of injury, illness or disease to their return to duty or transition from active duty.

Pictured (from left): Alliance CU North Carolina Business Development Officer Rachel Robinson, Cape Fear Community College Foundation’s Kay Warren, scholarship recipient Karmen Palmer, and Alliance CU North Carolina Operations Manager Ruth Barefoot.

Palmer, a Cape Fear Community College business major focusing on project management, very much appreciated being selected as the credit union’s grant recipient.

“By awarding me this scholarship, you have lightened my financial burden which allows me to focus more on the most important aspect of school, learning,” said Palmer, a single mother of three who plans to graduate in the spring of 2012 and pursue a career in project management. “Your generosity has made a difference not only in my life, but in the lives of my children as well.”

“This was the first year we have offered this scholarship, and we are pleased to have been able to support Karmen’s dream of embarking on a new career path in business,” said Rachel Lee Robinson, Alliance CU North Carolina business development officer.

The scholarship was offered to a second-year business student with a minimum 3.0 GPA, and who was a resident of New Hanover, Pender, or Brunswick counties. Applicants had to submit an essay answering the following questions: “Why did you choose this area of study?” and “How will this scholarship benefit you?”

Students also had to list community outreach projects they had been involved with in the past year.  The winner was selected by the Cape Fear Community College Foundation.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Federal Reserve Banks, as part of their Go Direct campaign, has an online enrollment system for credit unions that allows fast, convenient enrollment in direct deposit for federal benefit payments, including Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The online enrollment option is available at www.GoDirect.org.

The online sign-up option allows financial institutions to set up a one-time secure profile that can be used time and again by employees in multiple branches to sign up federal benefit recipients for direct deposit. Each time they enter an enrollment, the financial institution’s profile will provide basic information, which means faster enrollments with fewer errors.

Credit Unions can begin using online enrollment by doing the following: 
1. Go to www.GoDirect.org and select “Sign up Now” on the home page.
2. Choose Option 1 – Sign up via our secured system now.
3. Select the enrollment option that applies to you: “Financial Institutions”
4. Select “First Time User?” and follow the step-by-step instructions for registering a new user profile.
5. After activating your profile, you can immediately begin enrolling members.

If you have questions about setting up a profile, call Go Direct Customer Service at (888) 382-3725 and ask to speak to a customer service representative about online enrollment.

NC Credit Union League Partners with Go Direct to Promote Direct Deposit of Social Security Payments

NCCUL has partnered with Go Direct to encourage people who get Social Security payments by check to switch to direct deposit. 

Enrolling people in direct deposit has been a longstanding effort by the Treasury for many years. Go Direct is a great campaign for NCCUL and our credit unions to be involved in – because direct deposit is simply the best way to receive Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments. Direct deposit eliminates the risk of lost or stolen checks, reduces fraud and gives people more control over their money. Plus, direct deposit provides people with immediate access to their money from virtually everywhere.

Direct deposit also saves taxpayers millions of dollars. If every current federal benefit check recipient switched to direct deposit, it would save taxpayers about $120 million a year. Almost all money saved remains in the Social Security Trust Fund – a benefit to all Americans for years to come.

Despite efforts to spur the use of electronic payments, growth in direct deposit use has slowed in recent years to less than 1 percent per year. Only 75 percent of newly eligible Social Security recipients are signing up for direct deposit. This is especially relevant today, given the fast-approaching wave of baby boomers due to begin retiring in 2008.

Go Direct reaches out to check recipients through organizations and people they know and trust – people and organizations like us – to inform them about the benefits of direct deposit and to help them sign up for it. Go Direct also uses media outreach, direct mail, advertising and Web sites in English and Spanish.

Credit unions can play a key role in encouraging members who get federal benefits to switch to direct deposit. The Go Direct campaign makes it easy by providing support tools, including a quick step-by-step guide to train staff and volunteers on how to approach people about direct deposit as well as campaign materials and program ideas. All these tools can be found on the special Partner section of the Go Direct Web site at http://www.godirect.org/partners/.

Our support of Go Direct is key to the campaign's success. NCCUL is pleased to support this important initiative to help ensure people’s finances are safe and secure – and accessible.

For more information about Go Direct, visit www.GoDirect.org (English) and www.DirectoASuCuenta.org (Spanish), or call (952) 346-6055 to learn about partnership and volunteer opportunities.

Click on Go Direct documents to open file.
Go Direct FAQ
Partner Form
Materials Order Form

Click here to return to Financial Education page

(The following information is provided courtesy of CUNA Mutual Group.) 

Roger Montes and Oscar Saavedra (at right, standing beside CUNA Lending Council sign) of Latino Community CU are pictured with the other Excellence in Lending award winners, as well as representatives of CUNA Mutual Group and the CUNA Lending Council.

Latino Community CU and four other credit unions received recognition for their lending prowess with CUNA Mutual Group’s Excellence in Lending Awards at the CUNA Lending Council’s 17th annual conference, which was held Monday, November 7. Latino won two of the six awards conveyed at the ceremony.

Dan Murray, CUNA Mutual Group, vice president, presented the 12th annual awards to:

•        University of Kentucky FCU, Lexington, Ky.: Consumer Lending, Assets More Than $250 million;
•        Texell CU, Temple, Texas: Consumer Lending, Assets Less Than $250 million;
•        Charter Oak FCU, Groton, Conn.: Mortgage Lending, Assets More Than $250 million;
•        Latino Community CU, Durham, N.C.: Mortgage Lending, Assets Less Than $250 million;
•        Black Hills FCU, Rapid City, S.D.: Business Lending;
•        Latino Community CU, Durham, N.C.: Low to Modest Means;

“A record of nearly 50 credit unions were nominated for 12th annual awards and they were quality applicants,” Murray said. “It’s a credit to the ingenuity and resiliency of our nominees to achieve this kind of success during times of high unemployment, a poor housing market and low consumer sentiment.”  

CUNA Mutual Group, with support and expertise from the CUNA Lending Council, established the Excellence in Lending Awards in 2000 to recognize credit unions that have implemented outstanding lending programs while demonstrating sound financial performance.  The annual awards provide an opportunity for credit unions to share best practices and ideas, build networks, and recognize and celebrate lending excellence.

Latino won the recognition in the follwing categories -- 

MORTGAGE – Assets Less than $250 million:

Latino Community CU ($102 million+ in assets; 50,000+ members) – Latino Community Credit Union of Durham, N.C., understands its core purpose and delivers affordable and accessible mortgage loans to its low-income Latino membership throughout the state of North Carolina. In 2010, LCCU experienced loan growth of approximately 20 percent, an overall loan yield of close to 7 percent, while limiting loan losses to less than 1 percent, despite many of its members having no credit history. LCCU attributes that low loss experience and 2 percent delinquency rate to its very effective financial education program.

LOW TO MODEST MEANS:

Latino Community CU ($102 million+ in assets; 50,000 members) – It’s rare for a credit union to win two awards in the same year, but judges were unanimous in bestowing the honor on LCCU. As it did as a mortgage winner, this credit union delivered the overall lending products and services to meet the membership needs of many previously unbanked Latinos in North Carolina. Its fully bilingual and bicultural staff delivers low-cost check cashing, money transfer services and low-interest credit builder loans. LCCU’s attributes its 2 percent delinquency rate to its award-winning financial education program, despite much of its membership having no credit history. The credit union’s outreach is aided by the many partnerships it has with businesses and organizations in the communities it serves.

Excellence in Lending judges for the 2011 awards included, Bill Vogeney, Ent FCU; Joel Luebkeman, CMG Mortgage Insurance; Jennifer Cowles, American Eagle FCU; Fawn Terwilliger, Service Credit Union; John Dangoia, CUNA Mutual; Jason Osterhage, Delta Community CU; Keith Reynolds, Citizens Equity First CU; Rich Fischer, CUNA Mutual; Chuck Anderson, Arizona State CU; Aaron Bresko, BECU; Tom Keepers, CUNA Mutual and Vicki Lovett, Suncoast Schools FCU.

The CUNA Lending Council is a community of credit union lending professionals dedicated to being the primary source of the best lending practices and educational opportunities in the industry.

Alliance Credit Union walkers participate at the Wilmington Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk in October.

“We had ‘Pink Fridays’ at work during the month of October, where staff could wear pink shirts and jeans for a donation,” said SVP of Marketing & Retail Delivery Emily Condon. “It was another way for those at the credit union to support this very important cause and organization.”

Ray Respess (left) and Coy Hudson were honored for their long-term service to SECU.

Ray Respess has served SECU as a Loan Review Committee (LRC) volunteer and an Advisory Board member for branches in Goldsboro and Kinston.  For the past 38 years, Respess has played instrumental roles in the growth and success of SECU through his assistance with opening new branches in the Kinston area and, as a LRC member, by ensuring members received fair reviews of loan appeals.  He still serves as a strong supporter and advocate of State Employees’ Credit Union. 

“You can be a volunteer in any organization, but being a volunteer with the Credit Union is special - you are not only a volunteer, you have ownership in the cooperative.  As a member, it makes a world of difference.  The Credit Union is there to listen and there to help,” noted Respess.

Coy Hudson has served as a dedicated Advisory Board member in Hickory for numerous years and has been influential as a representative of Catawba Valley Community College, sharing valuable insight to SECU in order to better serve fellow members.  He tirelessly promotes the unique and valuable financial services of his cooperative and demonstrates the Credit Union’s working principle of “Do the Right Thing.”  Another constant advocate of SECU, he is making a difference in the lives of members through his volunteerism.

“As a Credit Union volunteer, I can give back to the organization, trying to improve the mission and the services that are provided to members.  And I’m hearing from members that they really appreciate the extra effort the Credit Union is giving to assist them,” said Hudson.

The North Carolina Minority Support Center will now be known as The Support Center, company officials announced today as they unveiled a new name and identity.

The Support Center will continue the tradition in creating economic opportunities to all people by offering mortgage and small business loans in underserved markets. During the past year, The Support Center has undergone a major rebranding effort to give a fresh facelift after 20 years of service. The rebranding projects include a new logo, name and website along with launching a social media plan.

"The Support Center is a more inclusive name that relies on our past, yet doesn't limit our future," said Lenwood Long, CEO and President.

"The Support Center is a more inclusive name that relies on our past, yet doesn't limit our future," said Lenwood Long, CEO and President. "The new logo, with interconnecting links, shows our perspective of being partners with our clients and affiliates and working together to build wealth and bring dreams to reality in the communities we serve."


“This step is a key milestone of The Support Center," said Peter Skillern, chairman of The Support Center's board of directors and CEO of Community Reinvestment Association of North Carolina. "After 20 years of dedicated service, now is the time to refine the organization's identity and to launch their business plan for the coming decades.”

“We are highly sensitive to the fact that helping people understand our services and benefits is essential to our success,” explained Vicki Parker, Development and Communications Director. “Our new marketing and business plans will allow us to reach more people in underserved markets and to help them reach their goals."

SECU Chairman Jim Barber (left) presents a Resolution of Service to long term SECU volunteer Steve Conrad.

Conrad, a Raleigh, N.C. resident, began his volunteer service to SECU in the 1960s, serving as a valued member of the Credit Union’s Loan Review Committee.  In this position, he displayed great consideration and compassion in evaluating loan appeal requests from fellow members.  In 1973, he answered the call to serve on SECU’s Board of Directors, a role he held on two separate occasions, from 1973-1992 and again from 1999-2011.  During his tenure with the Board, he held various positions, including Chairman.  Mr. Conrad has been vital in the growth and success of State Employees’ Credit Union through his guidance and direction as a member of the Board.  In addition to his Credit Union service, Mr. Conrad held the position of North Carolina’s State Geologist for many years and served his country in the United States Marines.

“Steve Conrad has been an unwavering advocate for State Employees’ Credit Union and given countless hours to furthering the mission of the Credit Union.  He has led a life filled with exemplary service, not only to his Credit Union, but to his Country and his State,” said SECU Board of Directors Chair Jim Barber during his presentation of the Resolution.

While reflecting on his years of service Mr. Conrad noted, “The underlying theme of the Credit Union is ‘People Helping People,’ and through my service on the Board, I have been able to contribute to that goal.  It’s been my privilege to serve on the Board for a long time with a lot of quality people.  I’ve enjoyed it so much and I will miss it, but I’m sure the Credit Union will continue to make a positive difference in the lives of its members.”

SECU initiated its Checking Switch program back in January.  SECU is delighted that consumers are showing a new found interest in credit unions.  But, moving checking services between institutions is never a one day process!  To manage a successful “switch” for the consumer typically requires 30 to 60 days.  SECU financial services representatives have been actively working with members over the past nine months to fine-tune the “switch” process.  These front-line Credit Union representatives have created a highly member-centric Checking Switch program and the results have been remarkable.  A simplified switch kit, available online at www.ncsecu.org, provides a checklist of steps to help guide members through the process.  SECU also assigns specific staff members to help new members establish a plan and to initiate phone calls to employers on payroll direct deposits, or to draft letters to insurance agents, utility companies and other businesses for ACH items.  Creating an individualized switch plan and timeline helps ease member anxiety about the switch process, and helps assure a smooth, “no miss” transition. 

Amy Waller, Vice President of Support Services and head of the Credit Union’s Checking Switch initiative, comments, “SECU’s potential members deserve the best service experience possible as they move to take advantage of the many benefits of their credit union.  State Employees’ Credit Union always seeks to assure a stellar member service experience and on November 5th our Contact Centers will be staffed and ready to begin the process.  In addition to answering initial basic questions and advising members about the terms of SECU’s products and services, Contact Center staff will also mail switch kit information packets to interested potential members to help them ‘Get Ready, Get Started.’  Branch staff will follow-up by meeting individually with members to formulate a well-reasoned plan and timeline for ‘the switch.’  We’re ready!”

SECU President Jim Blaine adds, “We have taken this approach because it’s the best use of a member’s time.  The last thing SECU wants is for members to start off ‘on the wrong foot’ with their Credit Union experience.  Quite certain most SECU members’ first choice for the weekend is not sitting in a branch office on a Saturday morning for an hour or so - especially when the switch process cannot be completed in one day.  ‘Switching,’ when done right, is a 30/60 day process.  We’re working with over 25,000 folks already in this process.  Hope potential members will call the Contact Center at 1-888-732-8562 at their convenience and request a ‘Get Ready, Get Started’ package from us next week… and then spend some quality time with their kids on Saturday!  After all, the kids are the only FAT CATS we have at SECU!  Ice cream will most definitely make those Cats purr, I’m sure.” 

In preparation for Bank Transfer Day scheduled for November 5, 2011, Allegacy Federal Credit Union, one of the largest credit unions in North Carolina, has announced extended hours and special promotions for customers wanting to switch their accounts or open new ones. 

November 5 has been dubbed Bank Transfer day after a massive public uprising across the United States against the $5 debit card fee recently imposed by Bank of America. Bank Transfer Day, a viral movement started by a 27-year-old in California, encourages bank customers to reinvest in local communities through the transfer of funds from “big banks” to credit unions.

“Consumers are frustrated with fees and price increases that corporations continue to charge customers,” said Cathy Pace, Allegacy, president credit union division. “At Allegacy we understand and offer a great alternative. Since Allegacy is a not-for-profit organization, we exist to meet the financial needs of our members and it’s never been more important to have someone looking out for you and your finances.”

Membership is open to anyone and Allegacy has taken steps to make the transfer easy. Specially designed “switch” kits are available at UnlikeYourBank.com and AllegacyFCU.org and designated “switch customer service agents” will be on duty during the extra hours to assist with memberships. Specific appointment times will be accepted online and consumers also have the ability to open or switch their accounts entirely online at www.AllegacyFCU.org. 

Allegacy will have extended hours till 7 p.m. beginning next Tuesday, November 1 – 3 at all locations and four additional locations will be open on Saturday, November 5, to assist individuals who can’t take off work during the week.

On Saturday, November 5, the following locations will hold Switch Events from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. -

• North Patterson, 4680 North Patterson Avenue, Winston-Salem
• Clemmons, 6320 Allegacy Way, Clemmons
• Kernersville, 212 East Mountain Street, Kernersville
• Westbrook, 1691 Westbrook Plaza Drive, Winston-Salem

The Hanes Mall location, 700 Highland Oaks Drive, Winston-Salem and Parkway Plaza location, 1374 Silas Creek Parkway, Winston-Salem will resume normal Saturday drive-thru hours.  New members will receive an Unlike Your Bank t-shirt and other promotional items while supplies last.

“Allegacy is growing and lending to consumers and businesses,” said Rick Leander, senior vice president, chief strategy officer.  “Our profits are returned to our members in the form of lower interest rates on loans, low or no fees for services, and higher dividends on checking and savings accounts.”  Allegacy’s recent “Unlike Your Bank” ad campaign touts its new or used car loan rates as low as 2.99%, the ability to borrow up to 100% of your available home equity, free SmartRate checking that pays dividends and ATM refunds plus a free Check Card.

“Of course, it’s more than just about the money when you join Allegacy,” said Pace. “It’s about realizing the vision for your life and putting you in control of your financial future, by helping you make smart financial choices regarding saving, spending, borrowing and investing.”

Mountain Credit Union Board Member Roy Keithley (left) and Branch Manager Chris Angel prepare to serve BBQ sandwiches to members in Fletcher.

The fun was not limited to adult members - free coloring pages were provided for children.The credit union also took its message about ICU Day to consumers in western NC as well! The Waynesville branch hosted a live remote broadcast with Rock 104.9FM.  

"The members of Mountain Credit Union are special and we set aside the day each year to let them know how much we appreciate them," said President/CEO Patty Idol of Member Appreciation Day. "We can't think of a better way to celebrate Credit Union Day than by thanking our members."

Members Credit Union (MCU) recently launched "Break up with Your Bank", a campaign to encourage bank customers to become an MCU member and move their money to the not-for–profit, member owned financial institution. As a result, new checking account applications have already increased for the month of October.

"We are on pace to see an 83% increase in new checking account openings for the month of October," stated Jack V. Braswell, Jr., CEO/President of MCU. "The new fees recently announced by some of the area’s larger banks have driven bank customers to move their money to their local credit union."

In addition to launching "Break up with your Bank", MCU will open its corporate headquarters on Saturday, November 5th from 8 AM to 12 PM., to support Bank Transfer Day, a consumer driven movement to move funds to not-for-profit credit unions from major banks by November 5th.
"As popularity for Bank Transfer Day grows, we want to make our credit union easily accessible to potential new credit union members," explained Braswell.

The 50 thousand-member credit union’s corporate headquarters, whose normal business hours are Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM, is located on 2098 Frontis Plaza Boulevard in Winston-Salem, NC. This office location will be the only MCU branch open on November 5th for Bank Transfer Day and will have employees onsite to sign up new members, answer questions, and open checking accounts. More details about Bank Transfer Day are available online at www.facebook.com/nov.fifth.  

SECU members were instrumental in the completion of the facility, as they provided a $2 million SECU Foundation challenge grant, which spearheaded the fundraising efforts for the project.  This is the second North Carolina hospitality house funded in part by the Foundation – the other is located in Chapel Hill, N.C.  SECU Family House in Winston-Salem is a 45-room facility equipped with private rooms, family rooms, laundry services and a public kitchen to offer affordable and comfortable lodging for families of out-of-town adult patients being treated at Wake Forest Baptist and Forsyth Medical Centers.  Families are referred to SECU Family House by their doctors, and the fee to stay is a $35 per night donation; however, no one is turned away if they cannot afford to donate.

SECU Foundation Board Chair Shirley Bell spoke at the ceremony and commented, “It is very exciting to be on hand to celebrate the dedication and opening of this beautiful home.  On behalf of the SECU Foundation and SECU’s 1.7 million members, we are thrilled to see SECU Family House already serving families in need of a caring and supportive place to stay while loved ones are being treated at the local medical centers.  This place certainly embodies the Credit Union ‘People Helping People’ philosophy.”

“We really wanted to create a warm and welcoming space that would foster support for our guests, and this house is a dream come true.  We are sincerely appreciative of SECU members and their Foundation for the generous financial support that helped our vision become a reality.  Our community has rallied together for this project and we are thrilled to celebrate with so many who have sacrificed time, money and effort for this wonderful hospitality house,” said Kathy Carr, Executive Director of SECU Family House.

Pictured (from left): Krista Byrd, Piedmont Advantage CU; Bob Donley, Members CU; and Misty Fisher, Lion's Share FCU.

I am honored to receive this award," said Donley. "I’m also fortunate to be a part of the credit union movement, a movement dedicated to preserving the core principles of the American financial consumer."

Donley, a 16-year veteran of the credit union movement, has served on the Board of Directors of Members Credit Union since March 1996. Currently he is serving as Director at Large on the North Carolina Credit Union League/Credit Union Service Corporation Board and completing a four-year term on the North Carolina Credit Union Commission. In addition to lending his professional expertise to further the credit union cause, Donley volunteers to support the community involvement efforts of Members Credit Union and the North Carolina Credit Union League. These efforts include raising money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and volunteering for the Victory Junction Gang Camp in Randleman, NC.

"Sometimes the easiest thing you can do is write a check for a good cause, but giving time and yourself to the cause is the most meaningful thing to give" remarked Donley, when asked about his volunteer efforts. "I’ve been blessed in a lot of ways, and I feel like it’s my responsibility to volunteer."

Donley has lived in Davie County since 1996 and is a member of Blaise Baptist Church where he serves as Treasurer. He volunteers for the Davie County Youth Football Association, the Davie County High School Booster Club and the William R. Davie Booster Club. His wife, Crystal, is the RTI Coordinator for William R. Davie, Pinebrook Elementary, and North Davie Middle School. His daughter, Meghan, is in the eighth grade at North Davie Middle School. Bob also has a son, Matthew who graduated in May 2005, with a degree in Youth Ministries and he is currently employed as an Associate Pastor in Covington, LA.

Coastal Federal Credit Union was recently nominated as a Disruptive Innovation Award finalist for the BAI-Finacle Innovation Awards for fully integrating its Personal Teller Machine (PTM) system in all branches. Coastal was the only credit union and one of only three U.S. financial institutions to be considered for an award. Coastal recently completed a three year long project to fully convert branches from traditional tellers to PTMs, making the credit union the first financial institution in the world to transition to a 100% video banking system.

“To even be nominated for an award like this demonstrates our ability to innovate effective financial solutions to better serve members.” said Larry Wilson, Coastal’s President and CEO.

The technologically-enhanced interface allows tellers to provide traditional financial services to multiple branches from a single remote location for faster and more convenient service. With all branches fully converted, Coastal has been able to expand service hours by 86% while creating a 40% increase in savings on staffing.

North Carolina State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU), a statewide mortgage lender with a presence in all 100 North Carolina counties, continues to experience a low rate of mortgage foreclosures.  While the incidence of foreclosure has increased, the $23 billion Credit Union currently has a foreclosure rate of less than one half of one percent of total loans, which is approximately one tenth of the national foreclosure rate.  The main reason?  SECU’s “face to face” Mortgage Assistance Program (MAP) and its aggressive efforts to help keep SECU members in their homes. 

Known for “eating their own cooking,” SECU originates, services and “books” member mortgages.  SECU has been making member mortgage loans in North Carolina for over 50 years, and manages approximately 100,000 individual mortgages with aggregate balances in excess of $11 billion.  In addition, the financial cooperative still utilizes direct, personal underwriting and does not risk-price mortgage loans.  All qualifying members receive the same rate, regardless of credit score and most mortgages are 2-Year ARMs providing manageable interest rate risk for both the member-borrower and the Credit Union.     

SECU’s Mortgage Assistance Program (MAP), launched in 2009, has helped more than 8,000 families remain in their homes when confronted by unexpected economic adversity.  The MAP program continues to provide exceptional assistance to members, as North Carolina’s unemployment rate of 10.4% remains higher than the national average.  Through SECU’s MAP initiative, members meet face-to-face with a senior Credit Union staffer to develop a workout plan which will best accommodate the member’s current financial situation.  Options for workout plans include partial payments, loan extensions, or modification/refinance.  Historically, mortgage foreclosures have resulted from one of the five normal, life event “D-risks” of lending – death, disability, divorce, drug/alcohol dependency, or dis-employment.  Most of the recent uptick in foreclosures at SECU is directly related to unexpected job loss in the current economy. 

Spencer Scarboro, SECU Senior Vice President of Loan Originations, comments, “Our Credit Union has always utilized personal underwriting and never accepted the ‘by-the-numbers,’ risk-based lending decision process.  All SECU lending officers are salaried employees assuring impartial, fair underwriting.  Sound underwriting and documentation are required.  Loan officers who originate the loan also are involved in the servicing and collection of the loan.  Keeping mortgage loans on our books means SECU is extremely interested in assuring that the loan is appropriate for the member.  We think it’s much better to focus on the character of our members and their ability to repay a loan than to just rely on a credit score to make that determination.  As member-owners of their cooperative, it’s what they deserve.”

Senior Vice President of Loan Servicing Mark Coburn, adds, “State Employees’ Credit Union’s low foreclosure rate is a direct result of the Credit Union working one-on-one with members to develop individual workout plans.  Foreclosure is always the worst choice for both borrower and lender.  Meeting with members ‘face to face’ is at the heart of SECU’s Mortgage Assistance Program and low foreclosures are a good measure of MAP’s success.  Who owns your mortgage can be of critical importance these days; SECU members know we’re local, we will listen, and we will work to help them overcome an unexpected economic shock.” 

Known for implementing measures to help keep money in members’ pockets, North Carolina State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) is committed to continuing its overdraft protection efforts with one goal – help members avoid “the bounce” completely whenever possible!  SECU has long offered a traditional overdraft protection program, in which a member’s checking account is protected by funds in up to two other SECU accounts.  With over 700,000 members utilizing the traditional service, the Credit Union felt more could be done to help offset overdraft costs and began ramping up its overdraft mitigation efforts in January 2010, with the introduction of NSF Fee Free Days.  The Credit Union followed with the rollout of Cash Points Global – a controlled spending account/card, then text alerts, end-of-day 5:30 pm cutoff, Another Chance, and Overdraft Fee Free Days.  Whether one service provides a complement to another or stands alone, these initiatives have resulted in tremendous cost savings for many of SECU’s 800,000+ checking account holders. 

SECU introduced NSF Fee Free Days in early 2010, waiving $12 NSF fees on two separate days each year.  Regardless of the number of items marked as NSF on the two days, SECU will return the items to the payee but waive the member’s NSF fees, helping to ease the financial burden related to such items.  The beginning of 2011 saw the implementation of a similarly-design program, also waiving fees on overdraft transfers for two days each year.  Since their inceptions, the combined programs have saved members nearly $10 million.  Along with these waiver programs, SECU enhanced its systems to automatically initiate electronic alerts to members of potential “red flags” on their checking accounts, with 2.1 million alerts helping members track their accounts in the current year.  Migrating to a 5:30 pm end of day cutoff prepared the organization for “Another Chance” – a program designed to notify members when a check is attempting to post with insufficient funds in place.  This early morning notification allows members “another chance” to make a deposit by 5:30 pm to avoid potential NSF fees.  And for those who desire traditional checking services in a non-traditional manner, the Cash Point Global (CPG) controlled spending account/card takes overdraft prevention a step further.  With no checks, no paper statements and transactions limited to available funds in the account, there is no risk of overdraft or NSF fees.

Jennifer Hamrick, Senior Vice President of SECU’s Support Services department comments, “When it comes to managing a checking account, people occasionally make mistakes.  State Employees’ Credit Union, in an ‘outside the norm’ manner, is trying to keep those mistakes from being costly for its members --- mostly because it’s the right thing to do.  We’ve taken ‘Bounce Protection’ to a whole new level over the past two years – one that has truly made a positive financial difference for our members.”

Local Government Federal Credit Union (LGFCU) proudly announces the addition of two new advisory council members to two of its 28 councils across the state.

The new appointments are an integral part of LGFCU’s volunteer-driveninitiative not only to educate people on the benefits of credit union membership, but also to relay feedback to the board of directors regarding available/potentially available products and services, delivery of service and member needs.

Advisory council members, who represent the philosophical character of the credit union and contribute their time without compensation, function as LGFCU’s eyes and ears throughout the state, serving as liaisons between credit union members and non-members and LGFCU management.

September’s appointees are:
 
Albemarle Sound
Amy Powers, Albemarle Hospital, Project Manager
 
Northern Mountain
Janie O’Neal, Town of North Wilkesboro, Finance Officer
 
LGFCU is also proud to announce the addition of Aaliyah Cupil of Charlotte and Lauren Patton of Asheboro to its Youth Advisory Council, Our Generation—Speakin’ Up, which comprises North Carolina high school students. Now with 18 members, this group is instrumental in assisting the credit union in the development of a new generation of products and services for children, teens and young adults.

SECU’s Board of Directors works hard to ensure that the voices of the Credit Union’s 3,000 volunteers are heard, and engages these member-owners by inviting them to attend educational sessions prior to the Annual Meeting.  Advisory Board members, who make up the majority of the volunteer base and represent each of SECU’s 238 branches, were asked what topics they would be interested in learning more about during the sessions.  This year’s topics provided information about more non-traditional SECU services including insurance, investments, and trust services, which encompasses wills, living wills, health care and durable powers of attorney.  Also highlighted was how the Credit Union is assisting laid-off workers through its Mortgage Assistance Program, already helping approximately 8,000 families avoid foreclosure and stay in their homes, with half of those back on a regular payment schedule.

A general session then covered excerpts from the movie Inside Job, enlightening the audience on causes of the 2008 financial meltdown and providing a topic for roundtable discussions.  Noting that even though State Employees’ Credit Union was not part of the cause, the discussions centered on what SECU members are seeing in their local communities, how individuals can best assist, and what SECU can do to address the ongoing economic crisis. 

In his Chairman’s remarks, SECU Board of Directors Chair Jim Barber noted the following, “Being a member of State Employees’ Credit Union has never been more beneficial.  Low-cost services, equitable treatment, a trusted provider and ‘People Helping People’ philosophy are attributes of a financial cooperative that, in today’s continuing uncertain economic times, are essential.”  Barber lauded the Meeting’s attendance by so many supporters, adding, “Tough economic times may continue, but with SECU’s cooperative attributes, financial safety and soundness, and ‘Do the Right Thing’ focus, the Credit Union is positioned to serve members now and in the future.”

North Carolina State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) is choosing to go “where no credit union has gone before” --- requesting a one-year trial disclosure of its CAMEL code.  The CAMEL rating system is used by the North Carolina Credit Union Division – and by most other federal and state financial regulators – as a method of evaluating the overall health of a state-chartered credit union.  SECU sought this one-year trial disclosure in an effort to test a new standard for full transparency.  As a large financial institution with more than $10 billion in assets, SECU falls into a size category among financial institutions of which greater disclosure and compliance is and should be expected.  This trial disclosure of CAMEL rating transparency is yet another way for the $23 billion dollar credit union to demonstrate its “Do the Right Thing” philosophy to its 1.7 million member-owners.

The CAMEL rating system is based upon five critical elements of a credit union’s operations --- Capital adequacy, Asset quality, Management, Earnings, and Liquidity/asset liability management.  Examiners rate credit unions using a numeric scale of 1 to 5 for each of these components, along with an overall composite rating for the credit union with 1 as the highest rating and 5 as the lowest.  CAMEL ratings are confidential figures and not generally published by regulatory agencies.  SECU obtained authorization from the Administrator of the North Carolina Credit Union Division to include its composite CAMEL rating of 2 for the period ending September 30, 2010 in a footnote within the Credit Union’s June 30, 2011 Audit Report.  The unqualified audit opinion rendered by the CPA firm of Clifton Gunderson is available on SECU’s website (www.ncsecu.org).  The CAMEL 2 composite rating has been typical for SECU over the last ten years. 

Mike Lord, SECU Senior Vice President of Finance, comments “State Employees’ Credit Union is identified by its member-owners as a trusted provider of financial services.  At a time when so many other large financial institutions in the marketplace are not viewed as trustworthy, SECU wants to uphold its positive reputation through full transparency.  While there are no existing regulatory requirements for safety/soundness rating disclosure, SECU believes that, as a member-owned cooperative, it is always best to keep Credit Union members apprised of the overall level of financial performance of their Credit Union.  We welcome the opportunity to test the value of disclosure of this rating with our members.  SECU has traditionally published its ‘capital rating’ each year, and we feel the CAMEL rating may provide additional useful information.  SECU remains ‘well-capitalized’ – the highest category – under federal law.” 

At the recent Octoberfest in Hickory NC – Zombies (provided by CPCU) were spotted swarming the Wells Fargo Stage Coach and reaching out (literally and somewhat frighteningly) to festival participants to warn them to avoid becoming Banker Zombies by joining a Credit Union.

In addition to the live, uh, undead, zombies, information for survival is being provided by a micro-site (with zombie video!) at www.survivebankerzombies.com, CPCU’s Facebook page, direct mail utilitzing USPS’ new Every Door Direct mail program, email blasts and posters.  And a few squishy brains.

Rumor has it that the branches of CPCU will be taken over by Zombies October 31, 2011.

PTP New Media was the brains behind the creative.

For more photos of Zombiefest….oops….Octoberfest …. Go to Carolina Postal Credit Union’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/#!/CarolinaPostalCU

North Carolina State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) has joined other consumer advocates in support of the full and fair disclosure of checking account policies and fees at all financial institutions.  Recommendations for enhanced disclosures were outlined in a September 21, 2011 letter from The Pew Charitable Trusts to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).  The recommendations stem from a recent report from the “Pew Safe Checking in the Electronic Age Project,” which confirms the need for greater transparency in account disclosures to assist consumers in selecting checking account services most advantageous for their personal financial needs. Specific recommendations from Pew to the CFPB include:  Full and concise fee disclosures, reasonable and proportional overdraft fees, and elimination of transaction reordering for maximization of overdraft fees.
 
As a financial institution which falls under CFPB regulation and one of just three credit unions under this umbrella, SECU is encouraged that its current checking account service already exceeds the Pew recommendations.  With a low $1 monthly maintenance fee, daily interest, no minimum balance requirement, and numerous overdraft prevention options, SECU’s checking product reinforces the Credit Union’s “Do the Right Thing” attitude.  SECU even permits checking account holders to designate the $1 monthly maintenance fee toward support of SECU Foundation projects across North Carolina, with 99% of members donating this fee to the SECU Foundation.  SECU, as a not-for-profit member-owned cooperative, looks forward to highlighting its checking account as a “best practice” in consumer fairness for CFPB.
 
Jennifer Hamrick, SECU Senior Vice President of Support Services states, “The Credit Union was created in 1937 to provide low-cost, consumer-oriented services beneficial to its members, and the organization has not deviated from that original purpose.  SECU’s checking account has always represented an exceptional value for accountholders – a simple, low-cost option that works for every member regardless of balance or transaction activity.  It is very reassuring to see that our Credit Union checking account services already surpass Pew’s recommendations.  Consumers need a positive, supportive financial ally in these difficult economic times, and SECU seeks to serve in that role for our membership.”

“Nine out of ten Americans have a checking account, making it the most widely utilized financial services product — one that is essential to the national economy,” said Ardie Hollifield, manager of Pew’s Safe Checking in the Electronic Age Project.  “As vital as checking accounts are for American families, many contain hidden risks that can potentially harm accountholders.  Our recommendations, if implemented, not only protect consumers, but also can create a level playing field where all financial institutions can compete based on fair and transparent pricing.”

Startups, newly established businesses and growing small businesses based in low- and moderate-income communities across the state will soon receive a boost to their local economies thanks to a $1 million award to The Support Center by the U.S. Small Business Administration. The Support Center will use the funds to provide direct loans to startups and existing small businesses in mostly underserved markets in the Mid-western area of the state.

Authorized under the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010, the new SBA Intermediary Lending Pilot Program was awarded to 20 community organizations across the country. The purpose of the funds is to help spur local economic growth through small business lending and drive job creation.

The Support Center plans to disburse the $1 million lending fund over the next two years. It estimates that the program will help to maintain or create at least 30 jobs.
“Small Business owners who have struggled to gain access to funding through traditional banks will now have an opportunity to get the funding they need thanks to this historic investment from the U.S. Small Business Administration,” said Lenwood V. Long, President, The Support Center.

Small businesses account for a significant share of the state’s economics production and hiring; they make up 98% of the state’s employers. However, according to National Small Business Association only 64 % of small businesses are able to obtain adequate financing for their business due to the credit crunch. Small business owners are unable to grow the business, forced to reduce their numbers of employees and unable to increase inventory to meet demand.
"The Intermediary Lending Program is an important new tool to support businesses in underserved markets," said SBA Deputy Administrator Marie Johns. "Partnering with community lenders will increase points of access to capital for startups and businesses that have been disproportionately affected by the recession."
One goal of the pilot program over the next two-to-three years is to assess the intermediary model as an effective tool for increasing lower-dollar lending to small businesses and startups, particularly those in traditionally underserved communities.

Low- and moderate-income communities across the state will soon receive a boost to their local economies thanks to a $1.5 million award to The Support Center by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) fund.

The purpose of the funds are to help spur local economic growth through small business lending, as well as increase opportunity to expand financial education and training to small businesses in undeserved markets.

The Support Center estimates that the funding will help to create more than 200 jobs in Tier 1 and Tier Counties over the next two years.

Small businesses account for a significant share of the state’s economics production and hiring; they make up 98% of the state’s employers. However, according to National Small Business Association, due to the credit crunch, only 64 % of small businesses are able to obtain adequate financing for their business. They have been unable to grow the business, forced to reduce their numbers of employees and unable to increase inventory to meet demand.

“Every community deserves to have access to basic financial products and services, from bank accounts to affordable home and car loans. The CDFI Program provides access to rural and urban communities across the country by investing in local financial institutions that serve these communities,” said Deputy Treasury Secretary Neal Wolin. “This award will provide much-needed capital to help community-based financial institutions offer products and services that would otherwise be out of reach for thousands of low-income Americans.”

“The low-income communities served by The Support Center have borne the brunt of the economic decline, therefore I am pleased to see this historic investment and commitment from the U.S. Department of Treasury in leading new investments in small business, especially in North Carolina,” said Lenwood V. Long, President, The Support Center.

With the news of increased monthly service fees and charges for debit card usage at some banks, San Jose-based Alliance Credit Union plans to continue to offer free checking for its members. The credit union also serves the residents of New Hanover, Brunswick, and Pender counties in North Carolina.

“Consumers should have a choice of a free checking account without losing convenience,” said Alliance Credit Union SVP of Marketing & Retail Delivery Emily Condon. “At Alliance, we offer online/mobile/text banking with Bill Pay and eStatements, as well access to more than 30,000 surcharge-free ATMs and 6,700 shared branches throughout the country.”

Alliance’s free checking program features no monthly maintenance fees or debit card fees, and no requirements to meet, according to Condon. And the credit union offers debit rewards.

In addition, the credit union recently launched its SmartPoints program, in which members can earn points for signing up for direct deposit, making a loan payment on time, using a credit card, or anything else on a list of services offered by the credit union. The points can be redeemed for anything from a lower interest rate on certain loans to covering non-sufficient funds (NSFs).

“Consumers need a financial institution that considers their interests not just the bottom line,” Condon said. “We encourage people to consider credit unions—such as Alliance—as a viable option.”

The credit union music duo, The Disclosures, has released a free song and music video for International Credit Union Day (October 20, 2011) called “Building a Better World,” which pays homage to this year’s celebration theme.  The band encourages credit unions to use the song and video to raise awareness of the positive impact credit unions continue to make around the world.

“The timing couldn’t be better,” says Joanne Sepich, CUNA’s ICU Day coordinator.  “Bank fees have consumers looking for a better option.  ‘Building a Better World’ absolutely captures the credit union and cooperative difference.”

“Our music has always focused on finding new ways to share the credit union message,” said Disclosures band member Chad Helminak.  “With ‘Building a Better World’, we decided to take it one step further and invite credit union folks to have some fun and help demonstrate our cooperative nature.”

The Disclosures put out a casting call to credit unions to provide video clips, which would eventually become the entirety of the music video.  In addition to the submissions, the band also filmed credit union people singing a few of the segments.  More than 40 credit unions and supporting organizations make cameos in the video, which include credit union staff lip-synching lyrics, performing air-guitar with hockey sticks and even dancing with mascots.

“We’re truly amazed at the response and support we received for this project so far, and we’re truly thankful for credit unions’ participation,” says Disclosure member Christopher Morris.  “Credit unions’ ‘personability’ usually shines through their member and community service, but now you can see it also holds true for music videos.”

The song and lyrics can found on The Disclosures website (thedisclosuresmusic.com).  The song is free to download.

The video can been viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QX8EniLa9o.  Credit unions are encouraged to distribute and share the video on their websites and in other online communications.

As part of the video collection process, The Disclosures also randomly selected a video submission to receive a signed copy of their CD “(Hey, We’re) The Disclosures”.  The winner was Doug MacMillan from State Employees Credit Union in North Carolina.

The Disclosures are an acoustic thrift-rock duo based in Madison, Wisconsin, comprised of Chad Helminak (guitar, vocals, harmonica) and Christopher Morris (guitar, vocals, keys).  They perform classic rock n’ roll covers in addition to their original tunes that delve into topics of life, love, and the cooperative spirit. Visit thedisclosuresmusic.com for more information.

CUNA Mutual Group Senior Risk Consultant Ken Otsuka presents at the Online Discovery Conference on October 4, 2011.

Speaking to Online Discovery attendees Tuesday, CUNA Mutual Group Senior Risk Consultant Ken Otsuka cited the 2010 Annual Global Fraud Report by risk management consulting firm, Kroll, indicating the information-rich financial services industry leads the way in data theft incidents among various companies at 42 percent in 2010, increasing from 24 percent in 2009.

“Data breaches have quickly become a top concern. They are increasing in frequency and severity in terms of number of records breached and recovery costs,” Otsuka said.

Breaches can involve electronic data or paper and occur in many ways, including:

• Lost or stolen disks, laptops and other data-bearing devices
• Dishonest employees
• System intrusions by hackers
• Negligent disposal of data
• Breaches at third-party vendors housing confidential personal member data.

A data breach can be devastating for a credit union, potentially even bankrupting it, Otsuka said. A 2010 Ponemon Institute study stated the average cost to repair a compromised record was $214. For financial institutions, that cost was $353.

Data breaches cost more than money. “A breach could shake members’ confidence in the credit union’s ability to protect their personal information, which could have a devastating effect on the credit union’s reputation,” he said.

Compliance and legal risks also loom. “The federal Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act requires credit unions to protect and secure members’ personal information. Penalties for non-compliance, whether at the state or federal level, can be severe. In addition, numerous well-publicized lawsuits have been brought by consumers against organizations that experienced data breaches.”

Otsuka urged attendees to implement proper technology, policies and procedures to protect confidential member data. He offered these tips:

• Protect confidential member data residing anywhere on the network, including workstation hard drives and servers. Encrypt data residing on networks, all mobile devices, and in data transmissions over the Internet and email.
• Install a data loss prevention solution (DLP) to identify where confidential member data is located on the network and determine if employees are inappropriately transmitting data via email or downloading data to external devices.
• Lock down USB ports and CD ROM/DVD drives of workstation computers based on employee job duties to prevent downloading of confidential member data.
• Implement an identity and access management (IAM) solution that allows only authorized users to access the network and secures remote access for employees and vendors.
• Have an end point security solution to protect all entry points to the network, including firewalls, and software for viruses, malware and intrusion detection.
• Protect corporate mobile devices by ensuring confidential member data is stored in encrypted format, the devices are password protected, and data can be wiped clean if the device is lost or stolen.

If all else fails, Otsuka advised having an insurance backstop. He provided an overview of CUNA Mutual Group’s Cyber & Security Incident Package (CSI), which provides coverage for credit unions in the event of a data breach.

Online Discovery is CUNA Mutual’s Web-based equivalent of a face-to-face conference without the associated expenses or time away from the office. The free, virtual event attracted a national and international audience of more than 1,800 credit union and league staff. The conference’s future-focused content aims to help credit unions solve problems, face challenges and address opportunities.

“It is a tremendous honor to receive such a generous gift from the members of SECU.  A gift of this magnitude demonstrates the notable need our community has for the inpatient hospice facility,” said Sarah Strange, president of the Crystal Coast Hospice House.  “We are overjoyed at the news.”

“Hospice houses have become a standard of care that is available to most residents in North Carolina and around the country,” said Dale Britt, Capital Campaign Co-Chair of CCHH.  “It will be wonderful for our neighbors, families and friends along the Crystal Coast to have access to such a facility locally,” he added.  “This gift takes us so much closer to opening the doors of the new SECU Crystal Coast Hospice House.”

“The SECU Foundation is pleased to partner with CCHH to fill the obvious need for an inpatient hospice facility in the Crystal Coast community,” commented SECU Foundation Board Chair Shirley Bell.  “The purpose of this facility certainly aligns with the mission of the SECU Foundation, making the project a great fit.”

SECU Board Chairman Jim Barber, pictured in the front row, far left, at Statement of Support signing with Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta.  Photo courtesy of Department of Defense ESGR.

The Freedom Award is the U.S. Department of Defense’s highest recognition given to employers for exceptional support of their employees serving in the Guard and Reserve.  Freedom Award recipients distinguish themselves by going to extraordinary lengths to support their military employees.  State Employees’ Credit Union stood out as one of 15 winners from a field of 4,049 entries nationwide, submitted by Guard and Reserve service members or their families.  SECU was nominated by Jamie Applequist, SECU Senior Vice President in Jacksonville, N.C. and a member of the Air Force Reserve, who noted SECU’s ongoing support for the military, highlighting numerous Credit Union and SECU Foundation initiatives.

Jim Barber comments on the national Freedom Award win and the SECU video, “Our financial cooperative has always considered it a privilege to serve those members who protect and defend our freedom here in the U.S.  It was an honor to accept the Freedom Award in Washington D.C. on behalf of SECU’s members and staff, and I accredit our organization’s win to the ‘People Helping People’ philosophy exhibited on a daily basis.  The SECU Freedom Award video demonstrates this philosophy in action, sharing personal stories of support from our own employee-reservists, as well as general information of overall military support.” 

State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) has teamed with the North Carolina State Board of Elections (NCSBE) to promote Citizens Awareness Month, a campaign that provides opportunities for N.C. Citizens to register to vote or update their names and addresses if needed, and to publicize upcoming elections.  Throughout the month of September, all SECU branches statewide have available a supply of voter registration applications.  Members can pick up an application at their local branch and at their convenience, complete the form and send it to their local Board of Elections office for processing.

In the coming months, dozens of municipalities across North Carolina will conduct elections for city and town officials.  The elections are extremely important, but voter turnout is typically very low, primarily due to lack of awareness that an election is taking place.  By partnering with NCSBE, the Credit Union provides another 238 locations where voter registration applications can be obtained.  To further increase awareness of the campaign and the importance of voter registration, SECU also published articles in its August Grassroots member newsletter and its September Money Matterz member newsletter for teens. 

Leigh Brady, SECU Senior Vice President of Education Services states, “SECU is proud to join with NCSBE to encourage voter registration and participation in the election process.  Every North Carolina citizen who is eligible to vote should exercise his or her right to do so, but in order to be eligible, you must be registered.  By providing applications in SECU branches, we hope to make the process of voter registration even more convenient for our members.”

Veronica Degraffenreid with NCSBE adds, “Our partnership with SECU provides an incredible opportunity to continue our reach into North Carolina communities to ensure that citizens of this State have every opportunity to register to vote and update their voter information in a timely manner.  NCSBE is grateful that local SECU branches have made voter registration forms available during this year’s Citizens Awareness Month and have also encouraged youth to preregister or register to vote.  Since voter turnout is low during municipal election years, the additional exposure that SECU is providing regarding upcoming elections is extremely valuable for the elections process.”

“We’re pleased to have Ashley Springs join our marketing team,” said Glenn Kirk, the credit union’s EVP of Marketing and Business Development. “I was really pleased that we had someone already on staff with Ashley’s background so that we were able to hire from within for this important position. Ashley will lead the credit union’s social media marketing and will be responsible for the creation of the credit union’s promotional materials, including print and electronic media.”

Springs enters this position with three years of credit union experience, including seven months at Summit Credit Union. She is a native of High Point and earned an MBA from North Carolina Central University and a BA in Marketing and Finance from North Carolina State University.

The award recognizes the website of LGFCU’s commercial lending arm, LGFCU Financial Partners (www.lgfcupartners.org). The site was relaunched in 2010 as a do-it-yourself resource with everything North Carolina fire and rescue/EMS departments need to quickly and easily finance a purchase.
 
“In essence, the goal was to create a virtual loan officer,” said Web Marketing Designer Shannon Moelhave, who designed the site. “Financial Partners is a business separate from the credit union, so another goal was to create a look completely different from that of LGFCU, as well as to make it as eye-catching as possible.”
 
According to CUES judges, a group of credit union marketers and industry experts, the design and functionality of the site was what merited the award.
 
“The home page is so simple, and the following pages have an easy flow and look great withgood photos and an informational layout,” wrote one of the judges. “It really conveys the message of reaching out to all local agencies in the credit union's field of membership.”

The Emmy-nominated series first aired in 2005 and is set to finish filming its last full season in 2012.  As one of the most popular and most widely aired programs on UNC-TV, ENC has become a North Carolina “field guide” for visitors and new arrivals to the State.  The series also serves as a tremendous educational resource of North Carolina science and history for teachers across the State.  In fact, with the opening of the Museum of Natural Science’s Nature Research Center (NRC) and the SECU Daily Planet slated for Spring 2012, the story of North Carolina’s natural past will continue for years to come.  Through video, radio and internet capabilities of the NRC, Exploring North Carolina’s more than 60 episodes will be enjoyed by students in all counties of North Carolina.  SECU Daily Planet, the centerpiece of the NRC, will be a three-story multimedia program area that will employ cutting edge audio and visual technologies to provide a rich backdrop for live presentations on key environmental issues and recent scientific discoveries.

 Dr. Betsy Bennett, Director of the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences states, “Exploring North Carolina takes its viewers on exciting high-definition video journeys, filled with stimulating educational content and high quality production values.  The grant from the SECU Foundation will not only make possible the continued production of this series by Joe Albea and Tom Earnhardt but it will preserve the archival quality, high-definition images of plants, animals and ecosystems along with numerous interviews with North Carolina scientists, educators and naturalists collected by Natural World Productions, LLC.”

“On behalf of the Friends of the Museum, we are genuinely grateful to the members of SECU and the SECU Foundation for their generous support of this televised educational programming – an integral part of the Museum’s extended outreach across the State,” adds Tom Earnhardt, Board President of the Friends of the Museum and co-producer, writer and host of ENC.

SECU Foundation Board Chair Shirley Bell comments, “Exploring North Carolina is a valuable educational resource available to every citizen of our State and to anyone who wants to learn more about the great place we are fortunate to call home.  The Foundation is pleased to provide funding for the production of ENC, and this programming will live on for many future generations through another wonderful SECU Foundation project, the SECU Daily Planet.  We are proud to partner with the Friends of the Museum to help continue this wonderful series.”

The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced it will end over-the-counter (OTC) sales of paper savings bonds on December 31, 2011. While paper bonds will no longer be sold at financial institutions, electronic savings bonds remain available for purchase through TreasuryDirect, a secure web-based system operated by the Bureau of the Public Debt.

The Treasury Department is offering a free toolkit to help financial institutions easily communicate the change to customers about the end of OTC sales of paper U.S. Savings Bonds. The toolkit contains:

• fliers for customers
• short messages for account statements
• frequently asked questions (FAQ) for employees
• web banners
• an article for employee newsletters or Intranet

All can be downloaded at www.treasurydirect.gov.

In July, the Treasury Department announced the December 31 end of OTC sales of paper savings bonds, including sales through financial institutions and applications mailed directly to the Federal Reserve Bank by customers. Although paper savings bonds sales are being discontinued, electronic Series EE and Series I Savings Bonds remain available for purchase at www.treasurydirect.gov.

Financial institutions are asked to educate their customers about the change and to continue redeeming the more than 670 million paper savings bonds worth $181 billion that are currently in the hands of the public.  Discontinuing paper savings bond sales is expected to save taxpayers an estimated $70 million over the next five years. 

For more information, visit www.treasurydirect.gov.

"Credit unions play a critical role in the lives of their members, and it is important to recognize and celebrate that role," said Brian Branch, WOCCU president and CEO. "We encourage our members to add to the International Year of Cooperatives section on our website by sharing ideas related to member service in general and the year-long celebration in particular."

The International Year of Cooperatives will officially launch the week of Oct. 31 - Nov. 1 with a series of meetings and workshops at the U.N.'s New York City headquarters. WOCCU's online IYC platform, www.woccu.org/iyc2012, contains information and resources for WOCCU member organizations interested in recognizing and celebrating the year-long designation. The website also features a forum through which members, credit unions and other cooperative business leaders can share ideas, photos and video about IYC and current issues affecting credit unions.

The website features a growing list of celebration and service ideas, financial cooperative information, links to related sites and events and IYC branding guidelines. Those interested may subscribe to the RSS feed on the IYC Forum, www.woccu.org/iyc_forum, to receive updates as they are made.

Three Steps to a Transparent Sales Culture
By Karim Habib, CUNA Mutual Group

Over the last few years, your members have seen an economy—and perhaps their own financial futures—put at great risk in part because of risky behavior in the financial industry that caused the economic downturn. Consumer confidence in spending and borrowing money is understandably low.

As a result, many lenders  have mirrored this lack of confidence. They’ve tightened underwriting standards to de-risk their portfolios, disconnecting themselves from a huge contingent of people who need loans. Here are three steps credit unions can take to get into the reconnection business.

1. Ask members about their financial situations—and explain why you’re asking.
If you’re a lending employee, you should use every touch point with members to ask about their current financial situation and future financial aspirations. Be transparent. Explain that, given the difficult economy in recent years, your credit union wants to know what may have changed in the member’s life, work, and family situation. Don’t push products. But at the same time, don’t allow members to walk away with the first thing they ask for—until, that is, you learn whether that product or service is the best, and only, thing you can do to help them.

Again, be transparent about why you’re asking questions: Times have changed, and your credit union is asking for an exchange of information. The more you know about  members’ needs, and the more members understand what your credit union can do to meet these needs, the better it is for both parties. Some sales experts call this “needs-based selling.”

A better description is simply “good service.”

2. Open your books, and your ears, to employees.
If you expect employees to be transparent with members, start by being transparent with employees about the type of sales environment your credit union needs to survive and grow.

A common belief in credit unions is that terms like needs-based selling simply disguise a hard-sell approach that puts income ahead of members’ well-being. This notion is strengthened by the reality that interest margins and loan volumes are no longer sufficient to maintain healthy balance sheets.

Be clear with lending employees about the importance of earning non-interest income in addition to boosting loan volume. Open the books. Educate your staff about the economic forecast in your operating territory.

And most importantly, listen to what they say about how they interact with members. Learn how employees feel about presenting payment protection options to members or cross-selling additional credit union loans and services. With employees, as with members, you can’t overcome barriers until you know what they are.

3. Make the mission the message.
The message that lending employees take from this exchange should not be that they must sell, sell, sell, no matter what. The message is twofold:

• Credit unions thrive by serving members’ best financial interests.
• By helping members make informed decisions about your credit union’s products and services, you are serving the members’ best financial interests.

Look at your credit union’s mission statement. The brand of needs-based selling you cultivate should be an expression of this mission. An employee’s personal approach to needs-based sales should be an expression of his or her commitment to member service. Put another way: How does a passive, order-taker approach to serving a member express real commitment?

Changing a credit union’s sales/service culture is difficult. But so many members are facing difficult financial choices today that credit unions must make difficult changes to serve them better.

Karim Habib is a Director of Lending for CUNA Mutual Group. If you have questions about establishing a sales-and-service culture at your credit union, contact your CUNA Mutual Sales Executive at 800.356.2644.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has designated September as National Preparedness Month, but in 2011, credit unions in many states haven’t needed this reminder. From wildfires in the Southwest to tornadoes in the South and an earthquake and hurricane reaching the Northeast coast, this year has presented unusual perils for credit unions and their members.

Mike Retelle,  CUNA Mutual’s Disaster Response Team leader, has been in the thick of disaster recovery operations as a claims specialist for three decades. He says no matter what kind of emergency strikes credit unions, one common factor usually has a profound effect on how quickly they restore service to members: communication.

‘What should we do first?’
“When people call me after a major loss, they usually say, ‘What should we do first?’ I tell them to contact their employees to see who’s available, who needs help, and to tell them the plan for restoring service,” Retelle says.

This can be a huge challenge, he adds, especially if the credit union doesn’t regularly remind employees what to do if a credit union facility is damaged or destroyed.

Every credit union has a disaster recovery plan, in accordance with NCUA regulations. But unless employees have practiced the plan, it probably won’t be effective, at least not immediately, Retelle says. 

The ‘cheat sheet’
A useful tool in a disaster recovery plan is a “cheat sheet” of first steps to take that employees keep with them or at home. For example, it should  provide alternate locations designated for temporary branch service.

The cheat sheet should also include phone numbers and emails to use if phones or Internet service are available. Land lines are often the best bet, Retelle says. “Hurricane Katrina taught us not to rely on cell phones—cell towers often go down before phone lines.” However, land lines in some areas can become gridlocked with emergency calls, and phone companies may allow outgoing calls to emergency services, but not incoming calls to non-essential lines.

Retelle offers two techniques to set up now, so you can get through to as many employees as possible when phone service is unreliable:

• Phone trees: On each employee’s cheat sheet, include the names and contact information of several other employees. Have them call each person on their list—they may get through to one co-worker that in turn has found someone else, and so on. Word about who’s available, who might need assistance, and what to do next can spread surprisingly fast this way, Retelle says.
• League-hosted toll-free lines: Set up an agreement with your state league to provide a toll-free number for employees to call in a disaster situation. While phone companies may need to restrict outgoing calls within the disaster area, a call to another city may still go through. With your league, pre-arrange a method to recording and updating messages for employees.

Review coverages with a sharp eye
Retelle urges credit unions to look closely at its insurance coverages before the next renewal date. Assess whether your insurance coverage limits are enough to replace a total loss, especially if you’ve recently made property improvements. And in light of the surprises nature has delivered across the country in 2011, Retelle says,  “Be sure you understand not only what your insurance covers, but what it doesn’t cover.”

For more information about disaster planning/preparedness, Credit Union Bond policyholders can access the Protection Resource Center at www.cunamutual.com.

Local Government Federal Credit Union (LGFCU) proudly announces the addition of two advisory council members to two of its 28 councils across the state.

The new appointments are an integral part of LGFCU’s volunteer-driveninitiative not only to educate people on the benefits of credit union membership, but also to relay feedback to the board of directors regarding available/potentially available products and services, delivery of service and member needs.

Advisory council members, who represent the philosophical character of the credit union and contribute their time without compensation, function as LGFCU’s eyes and ears throughout the state, serving as liaisons between credit union members and non-members and LGFCU management.

August’s appointees are:
 
Central Piedmont
Kimberly Parker, Union County, Classification and Compensation Analyst
 
Southern Coast
Lane Coleman,City of Whiteville, Parks and Recreation Program Coordinator

Allegacy Federal Credit Union, one of the largest credit unions in North Carolina, launched a new advertising campaign today, Unlike Your Bank, placing the credit union on television for the first time in its 44-year history.

The brand campaign offers humor to communicate the credit union’s message of better rates and fees as well as the fact that membership is open to anyone.

“This is the most assertive, creative brand campaign Allegacy has done,” said Cathy Pace, president of credit union division,  “Many folks are not aware of the many benefits of Allegacy, so we decided to focus on the major ones – membership, fees, and loan rates. Most consumers are feeling the financial pinch these days so we feel this is an opportune time to let the community know the benefits of becoming a member.”

The Allegacy campaign, which includes television, print, online and outdoor media components, will be focused in the Triad area and has a unique website, UnlikeYourBank.com.   The ads push the messages of “rates that won’t drain you”, “no more painful fees” and “anyone can join.”

 “The new campaign builds on the momentum that some consumers are simply not happy with their financial institution in general,” said Rick Leander, senior vice president, chief strategy officer. “We want our community to know that Allegacy is growing and providing lending opportunities.”

Allegacy’s ad campaign will tout its aggressive offerings of new or used car loan rates as low as 2.99%, the ability to borrow up to 100 percent of home equity, free SmartRate checking and ATM dividends and refunds.

“We want the overall takeaway of this campaign to reiterate our mission.  Our role as a financial institution is to help members make smart financial choices and we live out that promise to our members every day.” said CEO/president, W.K. (Ike) Keener Jr.

State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) is gearing up for its 2nd Annual SECU Supports the Troops holiday campaign, which begins Thursday, September 15th in all 238 SECU branch locations throughout North Carolina.  The campaign goal is to provide 5,000 holiday gift boxes for North Carolina’s National Guard and Reservists deployed throughout the world.  The boxes will include items such as snacks and toiletries, and be accompanied by special thank you letters from local school children.  Credit Union branches will have collection boxes for donations, along with a wish list of acceptable items.  In addition to items for the 10” x 10” x 5” gift boxes, SECU is also accepting monetary donations that will be used to assist with shipping costs associated with delivering items to the soldiers.  The gift boxes will be shipped in early December.

In 2010, members, volunteers, staff and local community groups joined together to carry out the first statewide SECU Supports the Troops campaign, collecting enough supplies and monetary donations to ship 5,000 holiday packages to deployed N.C. troops.  The statewide initiative stemmed from a local effort led by Gayle Pigford of SECU’s Roanoke Rapids branch.  Roanoke Rapids and surrounding branches assisted with the national Boatsie’s Boxes campaign for many years, providing holiday stockings for deployed military personnel.  The overwhelming success of the 2010 SECU Supports the Troop project and the positive response from soldiers who received the packages prompted the Credit Union to bring back the Supports the Troops campaign for another year.

Leigh Brady, SECU Senior Vice President of Education Services states, “SECU serves the N.C. National Guard within its field of membership and the Credit Union employs numerous Reservists in its branch and operations network.  The staff and membership of SECU strongly support these courageous men and women who serve our Country and SECU Supports the Troops is a wonderful way to provide a ‘gift from home’ during those long and difficult deployments.”

Filene received more than 50 applications from qualified credit union executives, each being carefully evaluated on motivation, leadership, creativity and innovation, teamwork, position, geography and type of credit union. Spink was one of the chosen 16.

“I’m always extremely impressed by the candidates, but this year was so promising because we’re seeing more and more institutional support from the candidates’ credit unions,” says Denise Gabel, Filene’s Chief Innovation Officer. “I think CEOs are realizing that i3 puts not just the participant, but the organization at the forefront of credit union innovation work.”

The two-year commitment involves developing ideas all the way through implementation, each striving to advance the credit union movement and offer products and services to meet member needs. i3 has helped launch programs such as Save to Win, which encourages credit union members to save by offering them the chance to win cash prizes through a raffle, and Debt in Focus, a popular online financial assessment tool adopted by credit unions nationwide.

Alliance Credit Union announced that its investment services group, with registered representatives affiliated with broker-dealer and Registered Investment Adviser CUSO Financial Services, LP (CFS), was a recent recipient of CFS’ 2010 Breakthrough Award at CFS’ 2011 “It’s a New Day 2011” Annual Conference, recently held in San Diego, CA.

The award recognizes the significant growth of a credit union’s investment and insurance program revenues throughout the year.

The team at Alliance was able to strengthen its program and generate additional revenue by delivering financial and retirement planning services to the credit union member base.  “We are extremely proud of Quang Phan and James Gregory’s accomplishments and the outstanding service they have collectively provided to our members over the years,” said Emily Condon.  “Their knowledge, experience and commitment to member service are an example and inspiration to all of us who strive for excellence in our profession.”

The annual awards are presented by CFS as a way to recognize outstanding investment and insurance programs for their dedication to high standards, commitment to superior service and outstanding performance that helps the organization meet and exceed its goals.

In addition to financial planning and investment services, Alliance Credit Union also offers consumer, home and auto loans, deposit services and online banking services.

This FAT CAT presentation at a Lumberton elementary school, one of 994 held during the 2010-2011 school year, helped earn SECU the award from the National Youth Involvement Board.

SECU has always focused on consumer financial education and in the last 10 years, youth financial education has been a top priority at the Credit Union.  Since implementing its FAT CAT youth savings program in 2000 for members 12 and under and subsequent teen Zard and young adult Off To College/Off To Work programs, SECU has utilized a variety of educational curricula to reach its youngest members.  With FAT CAT Smart Money workbooks/presentations, Biz Kid$ interactive DVDs for middle schoolers and National Endowment for Financial Education® High School Financial Planning Program® materials, the Credit Union staff educate youth on saving and spending plans, budgeting, insurance, career development, and other financial topics.  SECU is also proactive in developing relationships with NC’s public schools, community colleges and universities, as well as affiliated associations and non-profits, to maximize its educational reach among students.

Leigh Brady, SECU Senior Vice President of Education Services states, “As a financial cooperative, we are committed to helping members succeed with their personal finances.  One way to accomplish this is through education and there is no better time to start learning about saving and budgeting than when you are young.  We have made an aggressive effort to develop and acquire materials that will help us teach and engage youth of all ages.  SECU’s relationships with local educators are critical in expanding our reach and we are very excited to work with North Carolina schools, as they are part of our membership base.  While the greatest reward is seeing our local youth become financially responsible adults, it is also very rewarding to be recognized nationally for these education efforts.”

Most recently, Curran was the Senior Vice President of Business Development for Palmetto Cooperative Services, LLC, an item processing CUSO based in Columbia, SC. Prior to joining Palmetto, Curran was a Senior Account Manager with the CUNA Mutual Group. In addition, he has more than 15 years of branch operations experience at Coastal FCU.

Curran is a graduate of the Southeast CUNA Management School (SRCUS), where he was elected by his peers as the president of the class of 1991. He also holds the Certified Credit Union Executive (CCUE) designation. Curran earned his bachelor’s degree from Radford University in VA.

Members Credit Union EVP Bob Donley prepares to take his turn in the dunk tank on Friday, August 5, 2011.

"Members Credit Union is dedicated to improving the quality of life of our members and the people who live in the communities we serve," remarked Braswell. "This event commemorates our fifth year of fundraising for JDRF and as of last year our employees and members have donated over $37,000 to the charity."

In addition to Braswell and Donley, other Members CU volunteers in the tank included Director of Marketing Eric Stiff, Director of Accounting Cindy Stiff, Information Technology’s Matt Baldwin, Auditor Rob Semar, and Director of Public Relations Carla Kimel. Chris Uthe, Director of Central Billing Office, from Med 3000, a company located within Members CU’s office building, even volunteered to take a few dips in the tank for a good cause.

The fundraiser located at the $230 million credit union’s headquarters on Frontis Plaza Boulevard in Winston-Salem, NC, also featured face painting, food, and opportunities to win prizes .All 19 of Members CU’s locations will continue to raise funds for JDRF through the months of August, September, and most of October. One hundred percent of the proceeds will be donated to the Piedmont Triad Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation during the 2011 Walk to Cure Diabetes scheduled on October 22, 2011.

Local Government Federal Credit Union (LGFCU) proudly announces the addition of five new advisory council members to five of its 28 councils across the state.

The new appointments are an integral part of LGFCU’s volunteer-driveninitiative not only to educate people on the benefits of credit union membership, but also to relay feedback to the board of directors regarding available/potentially available products and services, delivery of service and member needs.

Advisory council members, who represent the philosophical character of the credit union and contribute their time without compensation, function as LGFCU’s eyes and ears throughout the state, serving as liaisons between credit union members and non-members and LGFCU management.

July’s appointees are:
 
Central Coast
Wendy Jenkins, Lenoir Memorial Hospital, Management Coordinator
 
Coastal Plain
David Cotton, Onslow County, Assistant County Manager
 
Eastern Sandhills
Joshua Hamilton, Hope Mills Police Department, Detective
 
Northern Triangle
Priscilla Adcock, City of Henderson, Human Resources Coordinator
 
Western Triangle
Frankie Maness, City of Graham, Assistant City Manager
 
LGFCU is also proud to announce the addition of Nathaniel Sandy of Norwood to its Youth Advisory Council, Our Generation—Speakin’ Up, which comprises North Carolina middle and high school students. Now with 16members, this group is instrumental in assisting the credit union in the development of a new generation of products and services for children, teens and young adults.

SECU Foundation is pleased to announce that State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) members have provided a $250,000 grant to fund the ongoing production of Biz Kid$ - an award winning public television series promoting financial education for elementary and middle school students.  Beginning production of a 4th season, the fun, fast paced series engages youth in topics such as saving, budgeting and entrepreneurship.  This is the second Foundation grant in two years provided for production assistance of the increasingly popular series, with $125,000 given in 2009.

Biz Kid$, with its educational focus, was a clear choice for Foundation support and is heavily utilized by SECU personnel in North Carolina middle schools.  Staff members in SECU branches have been trained on the curriculum and the Credit Union continues to work with the N.C. Department of Public Instruction to train teachers on the program.  Biz Kid$ television episodes and corresponding learning activities are shared with middle school students primarily in Social Studies and Career & Technical Education classes.  Thousands of students have already been reached through SECU’s efforts.  
 

SECU Foundation Board Chair Shirley Bell comments, “State Employees’ Credit Union has always placed financial education as a high priority and providing funding for Biz Kid$ is a great way to expand our reach with North Carolina students.  With today’s continuing economic crisis, our members realize that learning the basics of financial management is more critical than ever.  Biz Kid$ has been well received since its debut and we look forward to seeing its continued positive impact.”

With nearly 500 attendees from all across North Carolina, SECU Foundation Executive Director Mark Twisdale presented the challenge grant to the N.C. Cooperative Extension Service Foundation at the State 4-H Congress dinner held on July 20th in Raleigh, N.C.  At the presentation, Mr. Twisdale noted, “It has been a pleasure to work with the partner groups affiliated with this project, and I am most impressed with the leadership demonstrated by the youth in directing a statewide convention.  This is what 4-H is all about!”

Aimed at making North Carolina, World and U.S. history come alive, the SECU 4-H Learning Center will provide N.C. youth with a state-of-the-art laboratory and outdoor learning stations to provide interactive experiences that will engage 4th and 8th grade social studies students year after year.  For those students who cannot make the trip, the Center will travel to them through teaching kits, exhibits and on-line curriculum experiences.  It is estimated that more than 40,000 youth and adults will be served annually at the Center, with additional school groups engaged through the travel program.

According to Dr. Marshall Stewart, Associate Director and Head of the Department of 4-H Youth Development and Family & Consumer Sciences at N.C. State, “The gift of $1,000,000 from members of State Employees’ Credit Union is a tremendous investment to help create the SECU 4-H Learning Center as a part of the North Carolina 4-H History and Learning Center at Millstone Camp near Ellerbe.  Just as SECU members have pledged their support to 4-H, we pledge that our members in all 100 counties will commit to the success of the SECU 4-H Learning Center.”

Shirley Bell, Chair of SECU Foundation’s Board stated, “SECU has partnered with the N.C. Cooperative Extension Service on many educational projects and this Foundation challenge grant is a great complement to those efforts.  The SECU 4-H Learning Center, located centrally in the Sandhills, will provide opportunities to educate youth and families from every North Carolina community and county in the State.  The permanent facility and statewide educational impact of this Center align perfectly with the goals of the member-funded SECU Foundation and we look forward to seeing this project come to fruition.”

In addition to collecting the phones, Riegelwood Federal Credit Union is also recruiting businesses to serve as collection points by:

• Setting up a Cell Phones for Soldiers collection Box in businesses
• Collecting donated phones at participating businesses
• Shipping the cell phones

Cell Phones for Soldiers hopes to collect over 50,000 cell phones this year to help keep the troops connected with their families.

"Over the past few years, we have been amazed by the generosity of others. But, we have also seen the need to support our troops continue,” says Brittany Bergquist, Cell Phones for Soldiers co-founder. “It is easy for Americans to make a small sacrifice of support by donating their unused cell phones, and providing families with a much-needed connection to their loved ones overseas.”

Designated collection points:

- Riegelwood Federal Credit Union locations
- 183 John Riegel Road Riegelwood, NC 28456
- 2065 Andrew Jackson Hwy Leland, NC 28451

Piggly Wiggly –Riegelwood and Leland Location

Crescent Moon – Cotton Exchange, Wilmington

Asset Storage –9820 Blackwell Road, Leland

McDonalds – both Leland Locations

Roberta’s Country Kitchen – Delco, NC

Victaulic – Leland, NC

“We’re proud to show our support for U.S. soldiers, and to contribute to a worthy cause like Cell Phones for Soldiers,” says RFCU's Elaine Williams. “However, the need for support keeps growing as more soldiers are sent to the Middle East or are asked to serve extended tours of duty.”

Through increased fund raising efforts, the Bergquist family hopes to raise more than $9 million in the next five years to fund new programs, such as providing video phones and prepaid service to allow soldiers abroad to see their families on a regular basis.

The donated phones are sent to ReCellular, which pays Cell Phones for Soldiers for each phone- enough to provide an hour of talk time to soldiers abroad.

Approximately, half of the phones ReCellular processes are reconditioned and resold to wholesale companies in over 40 countries around the world. Phones and components that cannot be refurbished are dismantled and recycled to reclaim materials, including:
• Gold, silver and platinum from circuit boards
• Copper wiring from phone chargers
• Nickel, iron, cadmium and lead from battery packs
• Plastic from phone cases and accessories

About Cell Phones for Soldiers:

Cell Phones for Soldiers was created by Brittany & Robbie Bergquist of Norwell, MA. After reading a story about a soldier who ran up a huge phone bill calling home from Iraq, these two teenagers decided to help out. They started by opening an account with $21.00 of their own money. They are collecting cash donations and old cell phones. The cell phones are recycled for cash and the proceeds are used to buy prepaid calling cards for our soldiers serving in the Middle East. Cell Phones for Soldiers is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Their efforts have motivated people and businesses around the country to donate to this worthy cause. Their goal is to provide every U.S. soldier with a way to call home for free. For more information, please visit www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com 

On August 5th, seven of Members Credit Union’s managers will take their turn in a dunk tank to raise money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). The event will help Members CU kick off its fifth year of fundraising for JDRF, an effort that has amassed over $37,000 in donations for the charity. Among the managers scheduled to take a seat in the dunk booth are President/CEO Jack V. Braswell, Jr. and EVP Bob Donley, the credit union’s top executives.

The fundraiser, that will take place at Members CU’s headquarters on Frontis Plaza Boulevard in Winston-Salem from 9:00 am - 3:30 p.m., will also feature face painting, food, and opportunities to win prizes. All proceeds will be donated to the Piedmont Triad Chapter of the Juvenile
Diabetes Research Foundation during their 2011 Walk to Cure Diabetes.

This is the second SECU Foundation funded teacher housing project in Dare County, the first being Run Hill Ridge in Kill Devil Hills.  Dare County, located on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, is a popular tourist location and the home of several national historic attractions.  Living costs within the county are extremely high compared to many neighboring counties.  Likewise, new teachers struggle to find affordable housing and are discouraged when pursuing teaching positions within the area.  The remote location of Hatteras Island and the extensive commute from the current Run Hill Ridge facility compelled the SECU Foundation Board to approve an additional project in the County.

Dare County Board of Education Chairman, David Oaksmith commented, “The Board of Education wishes to express our sincere appreciation to the State Employees’ Credit Union Foundation for the interest-free funding and to Dare Education Foundation for taking on this important project.”

Shirley Bell, Chair of SECU Foundation’s Board responded, “Education is a primary focus of the SECU Foundation and we are pleased to assist with another much needed teacher housing complex in the Dare County area.  As funds from the interest-free teacher housing loans are repaid, the Foundation can reinvest in other loans to help more NC counties.  We are thrilled with the success of our projects in Dare County, as well as our Hertford County initiative and look forward to the expansion of these efforts into additional North Carolina communities.”

Miller’s experience encompasses over 15 years with credit union organizations and six years experience in the credit card industry. His broad expertise within the financial industry includes managing finance and information systems professionals, strategic planning, investment management, asset/liability management, credit risk management and financial and marketing analysis. Miller’s extensive exposure to various financial processes will greatly contribute to Coastal’s continued growth and stability.

Miller earned his Bachelor of Science in business administration and accounting from the University of Kansas and his Master of Business Administration from Washburn University.  He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA). He serves as an active member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, CFA Institute, and is a board member of Community America Credit Union.

Staff at the Greensboro office of Premier FCU combined forces on their annual Hot Dog Sale on Friday, July 15th. By the time all was said and done, hundreds of hot dog lunches had been sold, and more than $2,000 raised for Family Service of the Piedmont.

The annual event is a true labor of love, as staff members prepare side dishes and desserts to combine with hot dogs and other goodies that are donated by local businesses. With an abundance of home-cooked goodies and rock-bottom prices, it's no wonder the event is so popular with members and non-members alike!

The hot dog lunch includes a hearty "Just the Way You Like It" hot dog lunch, which includes two hot dogs cooked to order, plus drink & chips for $5. Other meals and a la carte choices start at an even lower price.

Funds raised benefited Family Service of the Piedmont. The agency is the largest private, nonprofit of its kind in Guilford County. Family Service empowers individuals and families in crisis to restore hope, achieve stability and thrive through quality support services, advocacy and education.

The Observer reported that Blanton received the injuries while practicing for the International Finals Youth Rodeo competition in Shawnee, Okla. Blanton was entered in the breakaway roping event and was thrown from her horse when it bucked. The story was widely reported in the NC news media.

The credit union is collecting donations throughout its branch system, as well as by mail. "We were heartbroken to hear about Kelly's injury and wanted to do something to help her and the family through this difficult time," said - President/CEO Joy Watts. "The CPCU family has been deeply touched by this and the response has been amazing."

The credit union is also encouraging other credit unions in the Hickory area to take up collections, which will be deposited in the CPCU account set up for Blanton. Hickory Springs FCU has already answered the cooperative call in support of Blanton and her family, with other credit unions expected to join the effort a little later this week.

Blanton has been hospitalized at the University of Oklahoma Medical Center for the past week. Family members hope to have her transferred this week to an Atlanta hospital that specializes in helping people with spinal cord injuries.

Donations can be mailed to any Carolina Postal Credit Union branch - checks should be made out to "Kelly Blanton" and the credit union requests that donors write "Kelly Blanton" on the envelope. 

The CPCU Hickory Branch address is 1022 11th Ave Blvd SE Hickory, NC 28602-4349 -- but any CPCU branch is accepting donations. 

A Facebook "Prayer Chain" page has been set up to share information and provide encouragement. The Facebook recovery page may be found by clicking here. 

Staff and members at Piedmont Advantage Credit Union capped a wildly successful fundraising drive in support of the Flights of Honor scheduled to depart Greensboro and Charlotte in the fall. Far surpassing their original goal, the credit union raised more than $6,500 in April & May – enough to send 13 veterans to Washington, DC.
 
“Piedmont Advantage is proud to support the Flight of Honor program,” said Piedmont Advantage President/CEO Judy Tharp “and, in a small way, thank our veterans for their sacrifices during World War II and the Korean Conflict.” Tharp noted that the credit union originally set a goal of sponsoring three veterans, but the staff and members “really worked hard and gave generously in order to send as many people as they possibly could.”
 
The Flight of Honor program honors veterans who fought in past wars. Participants are paired with a volunteer and fly to Washington, DC for a day of fellowship and to tour the war memorials. Originally started to honor WWII veterans exclusively, the Triad Flight of Honor program now includes veterans of the Korean Conflict over the age of 75 as well.
 
The Charlotte Flight of Honor takes place on Saturday, September 17 with the credit union sponsoring one veteran on the flight. The Triad Flight of Honor takes place Saturday, October 15. In addition to the sponsorships, Piedmont Advantage staff members will accompany veterans on both flights, serving as volunteer guardians who will ensure that the heroes’ needs are met throughout the day.  
 
Credit union staff held a variety of fundraisers during April and May to raise the funds, including selling Bojangles gift cards. “It was an all-hands-on-deck type of effort and a lot of people combined forces to raise the funds,” said Tharp.

Credit Union Investment Services (CUIS), a service organization of North Carolina State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU), is pleased to announce that assets in investment services has exceeded $100 million.  Even more impressive than the $100 million figure is the atypical process in which CUIS achieved the milestone --- with most members investing initially, on average, a minimal $1,000!  This milestone, achieved in just over a few years, is proof that SECU’s CUIS “wealth building for the not-yet-wealthy” approach is gaining traction with its members.

With 230 non-commissioned, multi-licensed representatives statewide, CUIS focuses on the average Credit Union member - one who is below the radar for the majority of investment products and would not typically qualify for the services elsewhere.  Since all representatives are salaried and receive no commission, members are assured to receive fair, impartial advice.  CUIS representatives guide investors based on the member’s objective, time horizon, risk tolerance and overall financial condition, ultimately providing education for the member to make an informed investing decision.  And while $1,000 was already considered an extremely low amount for investing, Credit Union Investment Services recently opened the door for even more members by lowering the initial investment amount to only $250!

Credit Union Investment Services is a unique piece of the puzzle that ties in to SECU’s overall organizational objective of helping members create a successful financial path.  Other pieces of the puzzle include an online member Financial Assessment Tool, a basic, low-cost Estate Planning Essentials program, Tax Preparation services, and partnerships with member groups, with SECU representatives providing financial education on topics from budgeting to retirement planning.

Joan McCool, Senior Vice President of SECU’s IRA and Investment Services department states, “We are thrilled that CUIS is an investment vehicle for many members who may not have had the opportunity to begin this process in the traditional market.  To provide investment options for all members, you must adapt to what works for their needs and their budgets.  With a low $250 investment minimum and non-commissioned representatives, CUIS offers a consumer-friendly investing option for SECU members.  It is very rewarding to offer products and services that make a positive financial difference in the lives of those we serve.”

Pictured (from left): Mark Watts, Allegacy employee;  Brandon Johnson, personal trainer; and Alexa Maglio, Allegacy employee.

The Healthiest Employers award recognizes employers that are committed to creating a healthy workplace.  Allegacy’s 2 ½ year old AllHealth program was introduced to promote healthy lifestyle choices with programs and incentives to keep well.  AllHealth entered into a one-of-its-kind partnership with Forsyth Medical Center/Novant Health in late 2010 which added biometric screenings to determine benchmarks regarding blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels and an on-site wellness coach to help with goal setting and track results.

"Employees are our greatest investment and we want to help them make smart, healthy choices," said Ray Crouse, Allegacy president and managing director of Allegacy Services, who accepted the award along with Michele Wille, Allegacy wellness committee leader. “We were honored to be recognized among the top Healthiest Employers in the Triad and we congratulate the other nominees and applaud their dedication to wellness initiatives.” 

The Healthiest Employers program measures six key categories related to wellness, including culture and leadership commitment, communication, marketing, reporting and analysis.

In addition to the biometric screenings, other significant offerings of the Allegacy AllHealth program include a lactation room, Weight Watchers at work, walking programs, on-site personal trainers, intramural volleyball and softball teams, 5K training sessions, Wellness Wednesdays employee communication, lunch ‘N learns, online webinars, financial and PTO incentives to meet wellness goals and behavioral services and Hospice counseling to address emotional wellness.

“The biometric screenings and coaching sessions are extremely popular with 81% of employees participating, which is well above average of more established programs,” said Ashley Kohlrus, Allegacy VP for human resources and AllHealth Wellness Champion. “We are thrilled that out of that participation number, 88% met their 1st quarter incentive criteria. Our wellness program is more than a project. It is an evolution of the organization’s culture to communicate, educate, and motivate our employees through promoting healthy lifestyle choices and providing programs and incentives that encourage employees to keep well.”

For Allegacy employee Rickisha Mitchell, the AllHealth Wellness Program has not only drastically changed her life, but her family’s as well. After her 35-year-old husband’s recent health scare and subsequent diagnosis of hypertension, she is now sharing exercise and lessons learned at work with her family. “He lived a lifestyle of fast food and high stress,” said Mitchell. “Now he listens with anticipation of learning for himself rather than the ‘that’s great honey’ attitude he had before.”

Allegacy plans to continue to grow its AllHealth program with enhanced employee incentives and expanded offerings in the future.

Tina Prince, SECU Triangle area Team Captain stated, “It is a pleasure to work with SECU’s branch and operations team captains year after year, and I continue to be amazed by their passion and enthusiasm for this charity, which is also very near and dear to my heart.  I could not ask for a better group of people to help with this effort and I was elated to see that even in financially challenging times, our team members became more creative and more passionate, which resulted in SECU’s largest March of Dimes donation to date.  I’m overjoyed and extremely proud of this group!”

“Once again, the SECU Team has outdone themselves.  Their passion and commitment to this mission is bigger than the problems in our economy.  We are blessed to have SECU as a friend of March of Dimes,” said LaRonda S. Scott, Division Director of the Eastern Carolina Division of March of Dimes.  “SECU is an example of what can be done when you establish a goal, implement a plan and attack that plan with passion.  Their efforts are helping us make great strides in the fight against premature birth. We are thankful for their support and for being a champion for babies.”

Pictured (from left): Reshema Patel, FOCC Advisory Board Member, Jesse Byrd, FOCC Chairman, Renee Elliott and President/CEO of Fort Bragg Federal Credit Union, David Elliott.

“Fort Bragg Federal Credit Union is proud to benefit these very worthy charities," said FBFCU President/CEO David Elliott. "We hope that next year’s tournament is as successful.”

Free Webinar: Hot Topics Around Lending Regulatory Compliance

Bill Klewin, Director of Regulatory Compliance, CUNA Mutual Group will lead a free webinar on lending regulatory compliance challenges credit unions face. Klewin will focus on required changes to policies, procedures, and data processing systems, and his recommended best practices for keeping in compliance.

July 19, 12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. Central Time
Register now at www.cunamutual.com/discoverywebinars

Prepare for Fast-Changing Lending Compliance

By Bill Klewin

The dramatic increase in the pace of lending-related regulatory change doesn’t appear to be slowing down anytime soon. Credit unions need to make lending compliance a serious focus of strategic planning, and be ready to adapt lending operations to counteract increasing compliance costs and potential revenue losses.

If you surveyed the attendees at compliance-related conferences over the last year or so, you’d likely find that credit union CEOs, CFOs, and COOs are more often accompanying their top compliance officers than in years past.

That’s a good trend that needs to continue. Simply put, the credit union industry cannot afford to wait and react only when new rules are implemented. New lending policies, procedures, and marketing must be informed by compliance expertise throughout the planning process.

While our industry is already coping with new rules spawned by the CARD Act and Regulation E overdraft reform, the Dodd-Frank financial reforms and Regulation Z disclosure revisions loom. And the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau will soon add a layer of regulation with an impact we can only guess at now.

To prepare for the compliance challenges ahead, here are some steps credit unions can take now:

Find qualified compliance experts
This is becoming more difficult. Demand for this specialized skill is rapidly increasing. Even so, do not cut corners when hiring and developing compliance staff. Be sure that your compliance staff and/or outside advisors have solid experience in your operating area.

Budget for additional resources
Compliance costs tend to hit smaller financial institutions harder than larger institutions. An analysis in winter 2011 by Raddon Financial Group measured the full-time employees (FTE) devoted to compliance per $100 million in assets. For institutions with $100 million in assets or less, the average compliance FTEs were 1.25 per $100 million in assets. This dropped to 0.77 FTEs for institutions with assets of $100 million to $200 million, and 0.29 for those of asset size $1 billion or larger.

In addition to that expense, credit union budgets should account for extra work that lending compliance issues may create for other employees. For example, if proposed changes in Regulation Z disclosures for payment protection products are adopted, your lending staff may need additional, ongoing training in how to present these products to members and answer questions about the disclosures.

Establish an independent reporting structure for compliance
If a credit union’s top compliance officer reports to the lending VP, it’s more likely that compliant practices will be sacrificed to gain loan volume. It’s better for compliance to report directly to the CEO or COO. And more is at stake now because of the new rules regarding the fiduciary duties of credit union directors and officers.

Beyond these measures, credit unions must continue band together to work with legislators, the Federal Reserve Board, and other agencies to advocate for prudent lending rules and regulations.

Bill Klewin is the Director of Regulatory Compliance for CUNA Mutual Group. He will lead a free Discovery seminar on lending compliance July 19, 12:15 – 1:15 (Central). For details, visit www.cunamutual.com/discoverywebinars.

Local Government Federal Credit Union (LGFCU) proudly announces the addition of five new advisory council members to four of its 28 councils across the state.

The new appointments are an integral part of LGFCU’s volunteer-driveninitiative not only to educate people on the benefits of credit union membership, but also to relay feedback to the board of directors regarding available/potentially available products and services, delivery of service and member needs.

Advisory council members, who represent the philosophical character of the credit union and contribute their time without compensation, function as LGFCU’s eyes and ears throughout the state, serving as liaisons between credit union members and non-members and LGFCU management.

June’s appointees are:

Lake Norman
Mike Bennett, City of Hickory, Administrative Services Director

North Piedmont
Chad Alston, City of Greensboro Fire Department, Firefighter
Lee Hunt, City of High Point Police Department, Crime Analyst

Western Sandhills
Jamie Dockery, Town of Aberdeen, HR Specialist

Western Triangle
Chris Verdeck, City of Burlington Police Department, Assistant Chief of Police

LGFCU is also proud to announce the addition of Brock McKinney of Spruce Pine and Ben Abernathy of Albemarle to its Youth Advisory Council, Our Generation—Speakin’ Up, which comprises North Carolina middle and high school students. Now with 17 members, this group is instrumental in assisting the credit union in the development of a new generation of products and services for children, teens and young adults.

A 2011 CUNA Research survey of State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) members has revealed continued high marks for the cooperative in primary financial institution (PFI) rankings, loyalty and overall satisfaction --- a pattern that has been consistent over the last 10 years.  Of the 5,000 SECU members polled, 75% consider the Credit Union their PFI based primarily on fees, staff quality and safety/security.  Among those members who mark SECU as their PFI, a majority would also definitely contact the Credit Union for future services and recommend SECU to others, resulting in a loyalty index of 55% for the Credit Union.  And SECU’s member satisfaction levels remain at 97%, with 87% of those members responding that they are very satisfied.

While SECU has consistently received positive results in previous member surveys, the recent numbers are even more important to the Credit Union, as they come at a time when SECU’s members are struggling more than ever with State job cuts and salary reductions.  SECU has been aggressively working to assist its members through beneficial programs for those in job loss situations, and overall enhancements to keep more money in the pockets of those it serves.  The 2011 survey’s high marks acknowledge that these programs and services, combined with SECU’s “Do the Right Thing” mentality, have certainly resonated with SECU members.

Jim Barber, SECU Board of Directors Chairman states, “It is critically important for a member-owned organization to satisfy the needs of those it serves.  SECU’s member base of State and public school employees has been and continues to be hit very hard in this difficult economic environment, and the SECU Board and staff are committed to “thinking outside the box” and helping members.  It is very rewarding to see that SECU members recognize their cooperative’s commitment to its members and that they are overwhelmingly satisfied with the direction of their Credit Union.”

Pictured:  Front Row (from left) – Brack Morton, Erin Johnson, Anne Morgan, Megan Smoot, Pat Stover and Michele Wille.  Back Row (from left) – Donna Basham, Jenni Pleasant, Jenifer Alex, Debbie Stack, Melissa Lyons and Lillian West.  Not Pictured:  Dan Coney, Sarah Cox, Eric Johnson, Sabrina Joyner, Margie Mack, Monica McMillian, Mary Pickard and Mark Watts.

Two employees, Megan Smoot and Sarah Cox, were further recognized as “Synergy Superstars” for the exhibition of all the spokes of the Synergy Wheel.
Other award winners include Brack Morton, Erin Johnson, Anne Morgan, Pat Stover, Michele Wille, Donna Basham, Jenni Pleasant, Jenifer Alex, Debbie Stack, Melissa Lyons, Lillian West, Dan Coney, Eric Johnson, Sabrina Joyner, Margie Mack, Monica McMillian, Mary Pickard and Mark Watts.

When the dust settled, the team from District 4-Goldsboro-Kinston prevailed as Tournament Champions, bringing home the first place trophy.

With 18 teams from branches and departments statewide competing for “bragging rights,” the fundraiser hit a big home run with over 400 players, volunteers and fans in attendance.  To keep things “swinging with excitement” during the tournament breakout session, the event also offered a spirited Home Run Derby, allowing those power hitters a time to showcase their batting skills!  When the dust settled, the team from District 4-Goldsboro-Kinston prevailed as Tournament Champions, bringing home the first place trophy. 
        
Jessica Patterson, Financial Services Officer at SECU’s Jacksonville branch and the event’s Tournament Director, comments, “What started as a small idea for teambuilding and wellness within SECU districts suddenly became a huge success, with 18 teams participating and thousands of dollars raised for Victory Junction in our first year.  With the enthusiasm and dedication of SECU employees, we plan to host this event annually to help VJGC continue to provide a wonderful, unique experience for children attending the camp.”

In addition to the Charity Softball Tournament, employees throughout the State host fundraising events on a continuous basis in support of Victory Junction.  To date, SECU has contributed over $150,000 from the combined charitable efforts of its staff and volunteers.   Collectively, credit unions from North and South Carolina have donated more than $2 million for the cause.

Piedmont Advantage Credit Union has announced the addition of three experienced financial professionals to its growing management team. Belinda Wilson has accepted the position of Director of Business Development while James Grenon has assumed the newly created role of Director of Lending. In addition, Laura Engle has joined the Credit Union as Human Resources Manager.
 
Ms. Wilson has more than 25 years of financial institution experience in many areas including operations, CUSO management and business development. Most recently she was the Director of Business Development and Wealth Management and Interim Managing Director of the Co-operative Payroll Solutions CUSO at Allegacy Federal Credit Union in Winston Salem, NC. Originally from Barrington, NJ, Ms. Wilson enjoys local athletic events and is an active runner.
 
Mr. Grenon brings more than 12 years experience in credit management and lending operations to his new role at Piedmont Advantage. He most recently served as Credit Administration Manager at Truliant Federal Credit Union in Winston Salem, NC and prior to that that he was with Equity One, Inc. of Greensboro, NC. Originally from High Point, NC, James lives with his family in Greensboro and is an avid outdoorsman.
 
Ms. Engle has joined Piedmont Advantage as Human Resources Manager and brings her specialized expertise in employee programs management and recruiting. Most recently she was with The North Carolina Eye Bank, Inc. where she was a development officer.
 
“We are delighted to have Belinda, James and Laura join our growing team of credit union professionals,” said Judy Tharp, President and CEO of Piedmont Advantage. “Specifically, their presence here will sharpen our focus on the further development of relationships with the businesses whose employees we are serving, deepen our lending opportunities with our members and strengthen our ability to continue to attract highly-qualified professional talent.”

Dorinda and B.H. Edwards pictured with the Mark of Excellence Award.

Winners of the Mark of Excellence Award distinguish themselves in the NC credit union movement through their sustained leadership of at least 25 years. Winners are nominated and selected by their credit union peers. 

Edwards joined TWIU Local 192 Credit Union (which later became American Partners FCU) in 1985 as the assistant manager. Within two years, Edwards was promoted to manager of the credit union. In the 25 years since, the credit union has been a beacon of service to the community under her leadership. The credit union has also grown steadily despite many economic changes and challenges in the community along the way.

American Partners became the first NC credit union to open a student run credit union branch when the “Ram Branch” of the credit union opened at Reidsville High School. In the years since, the Ram Branch has helped countless students understand basic money management, and helped the student employees of the credit union to acquire a life skill.

In addition to her visionary leadership at the credit union, Edwards is actively involved in the life of the credit union movement and serves on a variety of boards and committees to help advance the credit union ethic of people helping people. 
    

Winners of the Mark of Excellence Award distinguish themselves in the NC credit union movement through their sustained leadership of at least 25 years. Winners are nominated and selected by their credit union peers. 

Watts got her start in the credit union movement in 1976 when she took a job as a teller at Siecor Credit Union. She later became manager of Commscope Credit Union and later Valdese Credit Union. Watts joined CPCU in 1997 as President/CEO.

Under her leadership at CPCU, the credit union has continued to provide innovative, member-first service. CPCU also keeps a firm commitment to the local communities it serves, including local food banks through food drives and other such causes. The credit union has grown steadily during her tenure, and has expanded its service footprint to the Triad and other areas of NC.

In addition to her service to the credit union, Watts is active in many credit union organizations, including the Piedmont Chapter of Credit Unions and the Credit Union Executive Society (CUES). Watts is a past winner of the prestigious Golden Mirror Award from CUES.  

David Campbell, pictured with wife Joyce Campbell.

The Ronald J. Hutchins Award is given each year to a credit union professional and volunteer in order to recognize their outstanding accomplishments, time and effort given in support and promotion of the credit union ideal of people helping people. A committee made up of statewide credit union leaders selected Campbell to receive the award, one of the highest honors a credit union volunteer can receive in NC.

Campbell has served on the board of directors of the credit union for more than 35 years. He currently serves as vice chairman and has twice served as Telco’s chairman. He joined the credit union 58 years ago and got his very first loan from the credit union soon after – a $2,500 loan to buy a car.   

Rita Gentry, the Telco President/CEO remarked that Campbell has spent his whole adult life helping to build the credit union’s future because he cares so much about the staff and the opportunities the credit union offers its members. In addition to his service to the credit union, Campbell is a former County Commissioner, a life member of the Optimist Club, and he is currently president of Friends for Animals, which rescues some 1,300 dogs annually. 

The Ronald J. Hutchins Award is given each year to a credit union professional and volunteer in order to recognize their outstanding accomplishments, time and effort given in support and promotion of the credit union ideal of people helping people. A committee made up of statewide credit union leaders selected Clayton to receive the award, one of the highest honors a credit union professional can receive in NC.

Clayton has been the president of Champion since 2005 and in that time, membership has increased by 40% and assets have nearly doubled – an astounding result since the economy has been mired in recession through much of his tenure. The credit union’s service area has expanded from three to seven western NC counties under Clayton’s visionary leadership.

Previous to his service at Champion, Clayton served as the president of Mountain Credit Union from 1969 until 1998. He is a US Army veteran who is active in his church and local community. Clayton serves as the current treasurer of the Haywood County Chamber of Commerce. He has also served in a variety of leadership roles in the NC credit union movement, including the NC Credit Union League Board of Directors.    

The NC Credit Union League recognized Summit Credit Union for its service to members in 2010. The credit union received first place statewide in the Louise A. Herring Award for Philosophy in Action category during the 76th Annual Meeting of the NC Credit Union League.            

The annual Louise A. Herring Award for Philosophy in Action recognizes credit unions that, in day-to-day operations, demonstrate the credit union philosophy of “people helping people” in an extraordinary way. Credit unions compete by asset category, with Summit receiving first place in the $50 - $250 million asset category.

The credit union won the award for developing its Credit Builder Suite of Products.  This service innovation allows Summit members who have credit issues to progressively build a credit history at the credit union. Over time, members are able to qualify for loans and qualify for full-service checking accounts. More importantly, members gain confidence with managing money and using credit responsibly.

Summit will now compete for the national Louise A. Herring Award for Philosophy in Action. National winners will be announced by the Credit Union National Association later this year.

Pictured (from  left): Dorinda Edwards, Stephanie Chism, John McCollum and Candace Cardwell.

The Desjardins Youth Financial Education Award recognizes leadership within the credit union movement on behalf of youth financial literacy. It considers all activities supporting the personal financial education of young members and non-members. Credit unions compete by asset category, in order to ensure fairness. APFCU received the award in the under $50 million asset category.

APFCU has a long track record of providing financial education to young people, having opened an in-school branch at Reidsville High School years ago. In 2010, the credit union further deepened this commitment by providing students with the Real Money, Real World program. This program challenges students to learn about the financial realities of life by assigning them careers and a set salary level.

The students then had to go through a variety of booths that were set up to simulate real life financial decisions the students will one day have to make, such as transportation, housing, food and many other consumer choices. At the end of this exercise, the students were counseled individually about their choices in order to help them better understand how to prepare for the “real world” that lies just ahead.       

Through projects such as this one, APFCU continues to demonstrate its outstanding commitment to providing financial education to young people. The credit union will now compete for the national Desjardins Youth Financial Education Award. National winners will be announced by the Credit Union National Association later this year.

Pictured (from left): Deb McLean and daughter Morganna Shorter.

The annual Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Award recognizes and promotes credit unions’ social responsibility efforts within the communities they serve. CPCU won in the $50 - $100 million asset category for its innovative “Fee 4 Food” program. The goal of the program was to provide food items for local food banks, which have been dealing with fewer donations and increased community demand for several years. If members brought in a large canned good item during the drive, CPCU offered to waive a fee of the member’s choosing.

By using its web site & Social Media tools to engage its members, and reaching out to other credit unions for participation in the program, CPCU collected more than 1,500 pounds of food for hungry people. The credit union’s efforts not only made bleak times a little better for NC families, but also called attention to the needs of food banks and the hungry people they serve.  

This event was one of many community-focused projects the credit union engaged in during the year. CPCU will now compete for the national Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Award. The national winners will be announced by the Credit Union National Association later this year.

The NC Credit Union League recognized Fort Bragg Federal Credit Union (FBFCU) for its community involvement efforts in 2010. FBFCU received second place in its asset category for the statewide Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Award. The credit union received the award June 13 at a recognition banquet at the 76th Annual Meeting of the NC Credit Union League.            

The annual Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Award recognizes and promotes credit unions’ social responsibility efforts within the communities they serve. FBFCU garnered the honor in the $200 - $500 million asset category for its support of troops returning from overseas. The credit union held a “Rack Pack” campaign for returning soldiers. Credit union staff collected personal hygiene items for the troops.

Their campaign not only met the immediate needs of the returning troops, but also let them know the community cared about them. The Rack Pack campaign was one of many community-focused projects the credit union engaged in throughout the year.

Pictured (from left): Luis Pastor, Erika Bell and Roger Montes.

Latino Community Credit Union (LCCU) added to its already sterling reputation as a national leader in community involvement, community development and financial education. The credit union won or received recognition from its statewide credit union peers in four separate award categories during the NC Credit Union League Annual Meeting in Pinehurst.

The credit union won two first place awards for its efforts to provide financial education in 2010. LCCU won the Desjardins Youth Financial Education Award and the Desjardins Adult Financial Education Award (a newly created award). These awards are designed to recognize leadership within the credit union movement on behalf of promoting financial literacy. It considers all activities supporting the personal financial education of members and non-members. Credit unions compete by asset category, in order to ensure fairness. LCCU won the awards in the $50 - $150 million asset category.   

In the area of youth financial education, LCCU has a comprehensive program that includes workshops, one-on-one counseling programs, bilingual videos, and other programs that promote financial education in the Latino community in NC. In the area of adult financial education, LCCU has developed a series of short videos designed to help members understand how the US financial system works, and to assist members in better managing their finances.

LCCU will now compete for the national Desjardins Awards, which the credit union has won multiple times. National winners will be announced by the Credit Union National Association later this year.

In addition to its financial education awards, Latino also won recognition for its efforts to serve its members, and for its community involvement efforts. The credit union won an honorable mention in the annual Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Award in its asset category. This award recognizes and promotes credit unions’ social responsibility efforts within the communities they serve. LCCU won the recognition for its partnership with the NC Latin American Artist Cooperative that aimed to help artists gain exhibit space and organizational support.

LCCU also won a second place Louise A. Herring Award for Philosophy in Action, which recognizes credit unions that, in day-to-day operations, demonstrate the credit union philosophy of “people helping people” in an extraordinary way. The credit union won this distinction for its continuing efforts to assist unbanked and underbanked communities in asset building opportunities, as well as expanding its branch network and some services to help more members take advantage of the products offered by the credit union.

According to LCCU, 70% of its members had never had a financial institution relationship prior to joining the credit union. The credit union also notes that in the 11 years it has operated, it has clearly demonstrated that serving low-wealth households and underserved populations is a viable and sustainable business model.  

Pictured: Mark Caverly, with the award.

The award recognizes and promotes credit unions’ social responsibility efforts within the communities they serve. LGFCU was selected for its political advocacy efforts in the area of member business lending, which included sending a group of key staff members to Washington, DC, to lobby North Carolina delegates for raising the cap on credit union business lending from 12.5 to 25 percent of assets.

A raised business lending cap would free up more of a credit union’s assets so they can be loaned to small businesses, providing a boost for local economies across the state and beyond. According to the Credit Union National Association (CUNA), the change could bring $10 billion in capital to small businesses and create 108,000 new jobs nationwide in the first year alone.

LGFCU officials stressed the potential impact in N.C. communities and economies to both Rep. G.K. Butterfield and Sen. Kay Hagan. Drawing on their long-standing relationship with fire departments across the state, the Credit Union also encouraged more than 100 fire chiefs to call their senators and ask them tosupport the member business lending legislation.

“It is an honor to be recognized for our advocacy efforts by the League,” said LGFCU President/CEO Maurice Smith. “We will continue to engage in productive dialogue with our state and federal representatives toensure that our members have access to the best possible services.”

Pictured: Wendy McGill.

The annual Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Award recognizes and promotes credit unions’ social responsibility efforts within the communities they serve. MFCU garnered the honor in the $500 million - $1 billion asset category for its support of Hope for the Warriors and other local community agencies.

Working in cooperation with Team Little Guy, a group of statewide credit union professionals who raise funds for great causes, Marine FCU provided Hope for the Warriors nearly $100,000 in its efforts to construct special barracks for wounded warriors at Camp Lejeune.

MFCU raised its portion of this overwhelmingly generous total through its annual golf tournament and a variety of other staff fundraisers held through the course of the year. The staff had an internal goal of $20,000 but was so engaged and motivated to help Hope for the Warriors, they more than doubled this lofty goal by raising more than $43,000!

The efforts of Marine FCU & Team Little Guy energized credit unions and the general public throughout the entire state of NC, generated widespread media attention for Hope for the Warriors and most importantly – helped wounded warriors know that a grateful nation cares about their well-being.

The Hope for the Warriors fundraising effort was one part of the overwhelmingly generous support Marine gave to community agencies in 2010. The credit union contributed a total of $300,000 to its various community causes during the year!

The credit union will now compete for the national Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Award. The Credit Union National Association will announce the winners later this year.

Pictured: Carla Kimel.

The annual Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Award recognizes and promotes credit unions’ social responsibility efforts within the communities they serve. MCU garnered the honor in the $200 - $500 million asset category for its support of the Triad Flight of Honor. Started by the Rotary Club, the Flight of Honor program allows WWII veterans to fly free of charge to Washington, DC to see the WWII Memorial on the Mall. The program also calls attention to the sacrifices made by these and other American heroes during the War, and allows a grateful nation to say thank you in the process.   

The credit union raised more than $5,500 and this enabled 11 World War Two veterans to participate in the Flight of Honor. The credit union also saw Flights of Honor take off from the Piedmont Triad International Airport, allowing credit union staff to express their support to the veterans.   

Since many of the founding members and board members at the credit union are themselves WWII veterans, this project was a wonderful way of rallying the credit union membership together. The Flight of Honor campaign was one of many community-focused projects the credit union engaged in throughout the year.

Members has won this statewide award for a number of years. The credit union will now compete for the national Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Award. The Credit Union National Association will announce the winners later this year.

Pictured (from left): Patty Idol and Amy Woody.

The annual Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Award recognizes and promotes credit unions’ social responsibility efforts within the communities they serve. Mountain won second place in the $50 - $100 million asset category for its Christmas in July collection for troops stationed in Iraq & Afghanistan. Mountain’s six western NC branches collected more than 1,300 items for service members. This event was one of many community-focused projects the credit union engaged in during the year.

The Desjardins Youth Financial Education Award recognizes leadership within the credit union movement on behalf of youth financial literacy. It considers all activities supporting the personal financial education of young members and non-members. Mountain received its honorable mention in the $50 - $100 million asset category for its financial educational efforts targeting high school drop-outs who were working to obtain a GED. The credit union provided financial education to 90 area GED students, helping them acquire valuable knowledge and be in a better position to pass the GED exam.

Mountain Credit Union has long been a leader in NC in its community service and involvement efforts as well as financial education outreach to both its members and the western NC community. 

The annual Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Award recognizes and promotes credit unions’ social responsibility efforts within the communities they serve. Premier garnered the honor in the $100 - $200 million asset category for its support of Family Services of the Piedmont in 2010. Family Service exists to empower people & families in crisis to restore hope, achieve stability and thrive through quality support services, advocacy and education.

Premier engaged in a variety of fundraising efforts and events through the year on behalf of Family Services, including an oyster roast, window washing fundraiser, auctions, raffles and dress down days. As a result of these efforts, the credit union raised more than $4,200 for Family Services, while educating staff and members about the importance of the non-profit agency’s mission of service to the community. This series of events was one of many community-focused projects the credit union engaged in during the year.

The NC Credit Union League recognized the Northwest Chapter of Credit Unions for its community service efforts in 2010. The chapter received second place in the statewide Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Award chapter category during the 76th Annual Meeting of the NC Credit Union League.            

The annual Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Award recognizes and promotes credit unions’ social responsibility efforts within the communities they serve. The chapter, which is made up of 11 credit unions from the greater Piedmont Triad region, won its second place award for its support of Hope for the Warriors. Hope for the Warriors provides support services to military members who have been severely injured in combat, as well as their families.

The chapter organized the Hope for the Warriors Bike Tour, which was held in March 2010 in Lewisville. Some two dozen bikers combined to raise $12,000 for Hope for the Warriors. One biker, Will Fetters, drove all the way up from Jacksonville and slept in his car overnight so he would be able to participate in the ride.

This cooperative effort between credit unions was one of many community service projects the Northwest Chapter has combined forces on through the years. 

Pictured: Bobby Hall and Leigh Brady.

The annual Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Award recognizes and promotes credit unions’ social responsibility efforts within the communities they serve.  Credit unions enter the program in separate asset categories, allowing fair competition between credit unions of equal size and resources.  SECU won the award in the over $1 billion asset category for its 2010 SECU Supports the Troops campaign to benefit the NC National Guard & Reservists deployed throughout the world.  Credit Union staff, members, and many local schools and State Agencies statewide joined efforts to collect wish list items and donations to send 5,000 holiday gift boxes to North Carolina soldiers overseas. 

The annual Louise A. Herring Award for Philosophy in Action recognizes credit unions that, in day-to-day operations, demonstrate the credit union philosophy of “People Helping People” in an extraordinary way.  Again, competing in the over $1 billion asset category, SECU received the award for its many initiatives to provide members with consumer-friendly options to combat account overdrafts and fees.  To date, the Credit Union has introduced innovative products and services such as NSF and Overdraft Fee Free Days, Two-Way Text Messaging and Alerts, the Cash Points Global (CPG) account, 5:30pm “End of Day” Business Cutoff  extension, and the “Another Chance” program.
 
The Desjardins Adult Financial Education Award recognizes leadership within the credit union movement on behalf of adult financial literacy.  Activities in support of providing personal financial education for adults include the areas of adult instruction, awareness and collaboration efforts.  Winning the award in the over $500 million asset category, SECU, in conjunction with North Carolina’s Office of State Personnel (OSP), developed Your Guide to Financial Wellness educational booklet and an accompanying PowerPoint presentation, to help inform and educate member groups on financial topics and concerns.  By partnering with OSP, SECU is bringing financial education into the workplace setting through presentations, seminars, workshops and conferences, reaching thousands of North Carolinians in a challenging economic climate.

Leigh Brady, Senior Vice President of SECU’s Education Services department, comments, “It is tremendously rewarding to receive top honors for all three award categories.  Each of these awards embodies what every credit union aims to achieve as they serve their membership and communities.  We are so pleased to be recognized for these efforts and give the credit to SECU’s wonderful staff, volunteers, and members.”

SECU will now compete with similarly sized credit unions on the national level in all three award categories.  Winners will be announced in November by the Credit Union National Association.

Pictured (from left): Patty Idol (Mountain CU), Diane Nichols (Champion CU) and Shelia Biddix (Oteen VA FCU).

The annual Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Award recognizes and promotes credit unions’ social responsibility efforts within the communities they serve. The chapter, which is made up of 10 credit unions from western NC, won its statewide award for its support of Eblen Charities.

Western Chapter volunteers built a playhouse and worked together to sell tickets to raffle it off. Each credit union in the chapter sold tickets, and the playhouse was put on display throughout the chapter credit unions during the summer and early fall. The raffle raised more than $10,000 for Eblen Charities' Food for Thought program, which chapter credit unions have generously supported for several years. This innovative program provides snacks to school children in western NC no questions asked.  

This cooperative effort between the credit unions of the Western Chapter has helped to benefit thousands of school children in the area who would otherwise have been hungry at a time when they are trying to learn.

The Western Chapter will now compete for the national Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Award. The national winners will be announced by the Credit Union National Association later this year.   

Local governments in North Carolina will be given a unique opportunity to win funds and showcase innovation with the creation of the Government Innovation Grant Awards (GIGa). Sponsored by Local Government Federal Credit Union (LGFCU), the UNC School of Government (SOG) and the NC Local Government Information Systems Association (NCLGISA), the goal of the program is to spur and reward technology-based developments across local governments in the state by offering incentives to those who engage in endeavors that improve citizen services.
 
“Local governments are known for coming up with innovative technological solutions to meet their growingdemands—and often in a very cost-effective manner,” said LGFCU President/CEO Maurice Smith. “We think this program will be a unique way to inspire this kind of innovation and creativity, as well as put forth an avenue for it to be shared with others.”
 
The credit union will fund the program with $30,000 annually. Organizations can apply on a rolling basis for quarterly awards, which will be commemorated with a plaque of achievement, along with a feature on the presenting organizations’ websites. Applying for a quarterly award also enters an organization into consideration for the annual award—a $10,000 grant. Two $2,500 grants will also be awarded to other entries.
 
Program funds will also pay for an annual awards banquet and a “State of the State of Technology” e-publication, which will feature all award submissions and offer promising practices for local governments to model and implement.
 
“North Carolina’s local government information technology leaders are the most innovative in the country,” said SOG Dean Mike Smith. “This awards program will recognize their daily efforts at improving the lives of North Carolinians, and will make their important contributions more visible.”
 
Two quarterly awards will be announced for 2011; one on August 1 and one on November 1, with submission deadlines of July 15 and October 15. All local governments and K-12 entities in North Carolina are eligible to participate in the competitive grant process. Applications are available at www.cpt.unc.edu/giga.html.

Local Government Federal Credit Union (LGFCU) proudly announces the addition of eight new advisory council members to six of its 28 councils across the state.

The new appointments are an integral part of LGFCU’s volunteer-driveninitiative not only to educate people on the benefits of credit union membership, but also to relay feedback to the board of directors regarding available/potentially available products and services, delivery of service and member needs.

Advisory council members, who represent the philosophical character of the credit union and contribute their time without compensation, function as LGFCU’s eyes and ears throughout the state, serving as liaisons between credit union members and non-members and LGFCU management.
May’s appointees are:

Central Coast
Michael Avery, City of New Bern, Director of Planning and Inspections
Chad Smith, Craven County Sherriff’s Office, Sergeant

Eastern Sandhills
Carol Maples, City of Fayetteville, Human Resources Analyst
Doug Maples, City of Fayetteville, Building Plan Review and Inspection Division
Manager

North Piedmont
Stacey Farlow, City of High Point, Water Treatment Plant Operator

Southern Coast
Shannon Slocum, Town of Wrightsville Beach Planning and Inspections, Park Ranger

Southern Mountain
Tracey Cox, Hendersonville Police Department, Staff Sergeant

Western Triangle
Bill Davis, City of Burlington, Building Inspector

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a Department of Defense (DoD) agency, announced State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) of Raleigh, North Carolina is one of 15 recipients of the 2011 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award. The Freedom Award is the DoD’s highest recognition given to employers for exceptional support of their employees serving in the Guard and Reserve. Freedom Award recipients distinguish themselves by going to extraordinary lengths to support their military employees. State Employees’ Credit Union stood out among a field of 4,049 nominations submitted by Guard and Reserve service members or their families.

"To stand out among the many thousands of employers who firmly support our Citizen Warriors is a testament to the remarkable efforts of these 15 recipients," said Dennis McCarthy, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs. "On behalf of the Department of Defense, I congratulate the 2011 honorees and thank them for serving as outstanding partners in our nation's defense."

Jamie Applequist, SECU Senior Vice President in Jacksonville, NC and member of the Air Force Reserve remarked, “I am honored to work for SECU, an organization so committed to helping others.  I nominated the Credit Union because I know first-hand just how much they go above and beyond to help their employee reservists.  I have been deployed three times during my tenure with SECU and each time the support for my family and for me was tremendous.  I am thrilled to see State Employees’ Credit Union receive this award.

On behalf of Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, a selection board comprised of senior DoD officials, business leaders and prior awardees selected the 15 recipients. The 2011 honorees will be recognized in Washington, D.C. at the 16th annual Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award Ceremony on September 22, 2011. Since 1996, only 145 employers have been presented with the Freedom Award. 

About ESGR and the Freedom Award:

The Freedom Award was instituted in 1996 under the auspices of ESGR. ESGR was established in 1972 to develop and maintain employer support for Guard and Reserve service. ESGR advocates relevant initiatives, recognizes outstanding support, increases awareness of applicable laws, and resolves conflict between service members and employers. Paramount to ESGR's mission is encouraging employment of Guardsmen and Reservists who bring integrity, global perspective and proven leadership to the civilian workforce. 

The Board of Directors of State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) has approved eliminating the use of wage garnishment as a collection tool with SECU members in all states.  Although North Carolina, as a State, has a long history of protecting wages of employees against garnishment, SECU has members in all 50 states, and wage garnishment is legally available in the bordering states of Georgia, Virginia, and Tennessee.  The ban on wage garnishment as a collection practice is effective June 1, 2011. 

Phil Greer, Senior Vice President of Loan Administration at SECU stated, “In this economic environment, with the increased financial stress on members from layoffs, furloughs, and cutbacks, wage garnishment can further heighten the family crises that are now occurring to many fine, dependable SECU members.  Wage garnishment is also highly disruptive to the employer/employee relationship for members who are continuing to work, creating additional stress in the work environment.  These are exceptionally severe economic times and require exceptional care in helping members work through this crisis.” 

Greer went on to say, “SECU supports the use of wage garnishment in helping resolve social obligations such as taxes, child support, alimony and fraud.  Working directly with the member on personal debts is the better, fairer choice in this economic climate.  Helping our good members regain their financial footing quickly is the best way to assure that existing obligations will be honored.”

David Elliott, President/CEO, Fort Bragg Federal Credit Union presents a $5,000 check to the United Way of Cumberland County.

FBFCU raised the money through multiple fund-raising efforts. The credit union held an official “staff jeans day” for a $5 donation. Credit Union employees each donated baked goods and organized a credit union-wide bake sale in order to help raise more money. Some employees even made personal donations. FBFCU employees also collected clothing items that were donated earlier to a city-wide campaign for the tornado victims.

“The employees were very generous with their donations”, commented Elliott. We have a team of caring individuals willing to step up when there is a disaster. The United Way of Cumberland County was chosen to receive the donation as we believe they have the ability to respond quickly to the needs of our community.”

Local Government FCU President/CEO Maurice Smith and NCSFA Executice Director Paul Miller.

Along with generating revenue for the NCSFA, which provides training, education and support to NC firefighters, the program stimulates spending in communities across North Carolina. Firefighters and their families have used their cards to spend more than $112 million since April 2003.

“We are proud that our partnership with the NCSFA continues to thrive; in the first quarter of this year alone, the program generated more than $43,000,” said LGFCU President Maurice Smith. “It not only benefits the brave firefighters of our state, but provides a boost to local economies across North Carolina.”

There are currently more than 5,600 cards in circulation.

(Editor's note: the following information written and provided by Local Government FCU.)

Local Government Federal Credit Union (LGFCU) proudly announces President/CEO Maurice Smith has been named Credit Union Magazine’s CU Hero of the Year.

The monthly magazine, with a circulation of more than 25,000, announced the selection on May 17. He was first featured in the magazine as one of four “CU Heroes” over a 12-month period, making him a finalist for CU Hero of the Year. The magazine’s readers, which include credit union CEOs, senior staff and board members, voted on the finalists online.

In their release, Credit Union Magazine said Smith “continues to help his credit union’s members through tough financial times by providing mortgage loan modifications, alternatives to subprime debt, and unemployment protection options.”

Smith has been with LGFCU since 1992, becoming president in 1999. During his tenure, membership in the credit union has tripled, and assets have grown to more than $1.1 billion. A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, Smith received a Juris Doctorate from the N.C. Central University School of Law in 2005. He currently serves on the board of directors for the Credit Union National Association (CUNA), N.C. Credit Union League, N.C. League of Municipalities Local Leadership Foundation, UNC School of Government Foundation and N.C. Firefighters Fund, along with service to various other organizations.

“It’s an honor to be recognized as CU Hero of the Year, although there are many heroes among LGFCU and North Carolina communities,” Smith said of the recognition. “Without the tireless work of our staff, volunteers, community partners and local governments, this would not have been possible.”

SECU Benson Vice President Elizabeth Fair (pictured on left) assisted with the children of National Guard Reservist/Benson Financial Services Officer Cathy Baker during her deployment.

The Credit Union was nominated by Jamie Applequist, SECU’s Senior Vice President in Jacksonville, N.C. and an Air Force Reservist.  The finalists were selected from a group of 148 semifinalists announced last month.  Employers named as finalists for the Freedom Award stand out for the formal and informal initiatives they put in place for Guard and Reserve employees and their families.  The nominator said examples of the culture of military support at State Employees’ Credit Union include differential pay and ongoing benefits support, an SECU co-worker who took care of a service member’s children for a month and other employees handling chores for a service member involved in a car accident.  Additionally, SECU has been very supportive of the N.C. National Guard and other deployed N.C. soldiers, providing 5,000 gift boxes during the past holiday season to soldiers serving abroad and participating in National Guard Yellow Ribbon and Welcome Home events.  The SECU Foundation, funded solely by SECU members, supports Guard initiatives as well, including Operation Kids on Guard and educational scholarships.

“Our Nation’s employers have provided a high level of ongoing support for their military employees and their families even in the tough economic climate of recent years.  These 30 finalists have gone to extraordinary lengths to create a supportive culture within their workplaces allowing our citizen warriors to serve with the confidence that they are most appreciated and that their families are being cared for at home,” said ESGR National Chair James G. Rebholz.  “Being selected as a finalist is a tremendous achievement and honor that all of us should recognize and applaud.”

A national selection board comprised of senior defense officials, business leaders and prior awardees will select 15 recipients for the 2011 Freedom Award.  The DoD is expected to announce the award recipients in early summer.  The 2011 recipients will be honored in Washington, D.C. at the 16th Annual Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award Ceremony on September 22, 2011.

On Saturday, May 7, employees from Piedmont Advantage Credit Union participated in the 12th Annual Komen NC Triad Race for the Cure at the Salem Academy and College in Winston Salem, raising a total of $4,183 for breast cancer awareness and research.
 
Saturday’s event was the Susan G. Komen Foundation’s signature fundraising event for the Triad area, the first one being held in April of 2000. This year’s event included more than 10,000 participants and featured a one-mile fun walk as well as a non-competitive and a competitive 5K run.
 
The Credit Union had a total 66 employees participating in this year’s event under the team name of “Team CU Get Cured.” While most took part in the 5K, a few did compete in the one-mile walk. Each employee was wearing a t-shirt especially designed for the event by Piedmont Advantage employee Jenee Montoya. The Credit Union held a contest for shirt designs and Montoya’s was selected as the winner.
 
“We had a great turnout today, and I am extremely proud of the high level of enthusiasm our Team is putting into such a wonderful cause,” said Judy Tharp, President and CEO of Piedmont Advantage. “What you see here today is the result of many weeks of dedicated planning and preparation on the part of our employees. It was a lot of work, but it speaks well to the credit union philosophy of people helping people.”

A bit of rain in the afternoon didn’t dampen the event on Friday, April 22. There were a total of 46 teams that played in either the morning (21) or the afternoon (25) rounds.

Next year’s tournament is slated for April 20.

Since 1995, Marine FCU has raised a total of $776,100 for area organizations that impacted its community.

Cathy J. Pace	Rick Leander

Cathy J. Pace, a 32-year veteran of Allegacy, has been named president of the credit union division and Rick Leander has been hired as senior vice president, chief strategy officer, a newly created position.

“These changes will allow us to continue our focus on meeting the needs of our members and further address the complex reality of the changing financial environment they are facing,” stated Allegacy CEO/President W.K. (Ike) Keener, Jr.

Pace, formerly executive vice president, will continue to report to Keener in her new position as she oversees retail lending, account management services, the contact center, financial center operations, marketing and business development. 

Over the past three decades, she has played a critical role in Allegacy’s growth from 17,000 members and nearly $50 million in assets in 1978 to nearly 110,000 members, $970 million in assets and managing over $670 million in member investments within the financial planning division today.

“Cathy has long been a leader in our organization and she has led some of our most successful initiatives,” said Keener. “I look forward to working with her and our executive team as we firmly position ourselves as the community’s preferred financial institution while we continue to recognize members’ needs and recommend innovative solutions that will help them make smart financial choices.”

Leander, with 30 years of financial experience, is responsible for formulating and monitoring the execution of corporate strategy for its entities and associated plans, programs and projects in support of Allegacy’s vision, mission and goals. 

“Rick has spent the last three decades heavily involved in driving innovation and strategy in the financial services industry,” said Keener.  “He is an excellent addition to our team as we strategically plan for our future and further define ourselves as a full-service financial institution for our members and the community.”

Leander most recently served as executive vice president and chief strategy officer for The Clearing House, the nation’s oldest banking association and payments company.
There he repositioned the company as the shared services utility of choice for the payments industry and was responsible for the strategic development and business execution for the organization.
 
Leander has significant experience with technology and innovation as well as understanding the direction of technology and moving organizations to take advantage of those opportunities. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Finance from the University of Texas and currently sits on the board of a number of startups working on innovations in the payments, marketing and social networking space. 

Allegacy is currently comprised of three divisions: Allegacy Federal Credit Union, Allegacy Investment Group and Allegacy Services LLC which includes its subsidiaries: Cooperative Payroll Solutions, Allegacy Realty LLC, JBA Benefits LLC, Advanced Fraud Solutions LLC and Allegacy Commercial Services.

The Manteo branch staff not only highlighted its Youth Saving Challenge week festivities with the MMS artwork, but partnered with the school for a canned food drive to support Mount Olivet’s food pantry, which serves the local community.  SECU also donated the leftover chalk to MMS for another upcoming chalk art/canned food drive at the middle school.

SECU Manteo Vice President, Monica Bradley commented, “We were very excited MMS accepted the invitation to join us for Youth Week and even more thrilled to see the amazing artwork that the middle school students created on our sidewalks.  It was a unique way to celebrate our event and also provided SECU a wonderful opportunity to help out with the school’s food drive.”

During the Saving Challenge week, nearly 17,500 SECU youth statewide made deposits totaling $3.2 million and over 700 new accounts were opened, substantially surpassing the previous year’s numbers!  All 237 Credit Union branches promoted the Challenge with a variety of creative displays and games, and workshops to encourage financial education.

Pictured left to right: Michael Beebe – Director-IRS SPEC, Tenesha Carter – SECU SVP Tax Preparation Services, Roger Burton – Territory Manager-IRS SPEC and Robyn Happoldt – SECU Senior FSO/Tax Preparer-Raleigh Centennial Pkwy.

“The support that credit unions provide to the VITA program clearly is a benefit to educating taxpayers in our communities,” said Beebe.  “We are happy to see taxpayers taking advantage of these volunteer services and appreciate the support of our credit union partners.”

Tenesha Carter, SECU’s SVP of Tax Preparation Services comments, “Partnering with the IRS for VITA provides SECU the opportunity to offer a no-cost tax preparation option to qualifying members in all 237 branch locations.  As a not-for-profit member-owned financial cooperative, the Credit Union has always been committed to providing low or no-cost services that are beneficial to members, and the VITA program aligns perfectly with that commitment.  With the continuing economic climate and high unemployment rate in North Carolina, there has also never been a better time to help put money back in the pockets of those who need it most.  SECU staff members are thrilled to offer another service that allows us to do just that!” 

Zard winner Jessica Starnes accepts her iPod Touch® from Monroe SECU Financial Services Officer Maxx Smith.

SECU youth programs consist of FAT CAT for ages 12 and under and Zard for teens 13-19, with both options focused on the importance of early financial education.  SECU staff use FAT CAT educational workbooks to assist with teaching elementary students and incorporate Biz Kid$ and NEFE (National Endowment for Financial Education) curricula for middle and high school students, respectively.  Each youth program has a dedicated website (www.cufatcats.org and www.teenzard.org) and quarterly educational newsletters to complement the account offerings.  The FAT CAT program also has a mascot who travels with branch personnel to various events and educational presentations throughout North Carolina.

Cindy Hubbard, SECU’s Vice President in Brevard comments, “Credit Union Youth Week provides an excellent opportunity to showcase SECU’s youth programs along with the benefits of saving and being financially responsible.  SECU branch staff enthusiastically challenged themselves to be very creative with this year’s Youth Week theme and the displays and events were incredible.  Combined with great prizes, the 2011 participation ranked at the top of the charts!” 

Jim Barber, SECU’s Board of Directors Chair, welcomed attendees to the event and acknowledged the integral role each volunteer has in making SECU a successful cooperative.  He followed with an update on SECU’s financial status.  “You’ll be pleased to know that State Employees’ Credit Union remains in strong financial condition.  Assets, deposits, capital and even loans grew within the past year, even as members continue to borrow less in these challenging economic times.  Members are realizing the tremendous value of their Credit Union and its dedication to developing consumer-friendly, cost-effective services,” noted Mr. Barber.

Since 2003, “Meet and Greet” events have been held as an educational forum for SECU volunteers to network and meet members of the Credit Union’s Board of Directors and staff.  Over 3,000 volunteers serve on local Advisory Boards at SECU’s 237 statewide locations or on regional Loan Review Committees.  These volunteers play an essential role in serving as a ‘voice’ for over 1.6 million members to communicate member ideas, address issues, and offer recommendations of products and services to the Board of  Directors.

SECU Cleveland Community Branch Advisory Board member, Brian Rose commented,
“I really enjoyed the Meet and Greet event at the Raleigh Convention Center.  It was nice to be able to meet Board members from other branches, and also to see what our Credit
Union is doing for the community.  It is good to know that SECU listens to members’ questions, comments, and concerns.  As an Advisory Board member, I can see that the Credit Union does care.”

Fellow Advisory Board member, Shannon Wilmot added, “Thanks to the folks at SECU for putting on a tremendous meeting.  I was very impressed with the speakers and it was good to hear how well this whole organization is being run, and how we are always trying to find new ways to help members.  I’m proud to be associated with the Credit Union, both as a member for 22 years and as an Advisory Board member.”

Burchill enters his new position with over 17 years of accounting experience, having most recently served as senior accountant at a major regional financial institution. There he was instrumental in increasing over $20 million in deposits and was recognized as the 2010 Gold Award Winner for his achievements. Previously, he served as VP of finance at a local health maintenance organization.

Burchill earned his BS in Accounting from St. John Fisher College and his MBA in finance from California Lutheran University.

Local Government Federal Credit Union (LGFCU) proudly announces the addition of 13 new advisory council members to seven of its 28 councilsacross the state.

The new appointments are an integral part of LGFCU’s volunteer-driveninitiative not only to educate people on the benefits of credit union membership, but also to relay feedback to the board of directors regarding available/potentially available products and services, delivery of service and member needs.

Advisory council members, who represent the philosophical character of the credit union and contribute their time without compensation, function as LGFCU’s eyes and ears throughout the state, serving as liaisons between credit union members and non-members and LGFCU management.

April’s appointees are:

Central Coast
Chris Hill, Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office, Chief of Administration
Greg Smith, DEPS Safety and Security, Owner
            Retired, City of Kinston Fire Department, Chief of Public Safety

Central Piedmont
Crystal Crump, Union County, Register of Deeds

Eastern Carolina
April Baker, Town of Hookerton, Town Clerk

Eastern Sandhills
Therman Cherry, Public Works Commission of Fayetteville, I.S. Technician
Eric Ditmore, Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, Detective
Lemark Harris, Pembroke Housing Authority, Executive Director

Foothills
Andy Manis, McDowell County Sheriff’s Office, Detective

Northern Piedmont
Benson Solomon, High Point University, Resident Assistance/Tutor

Southern Coast
Rich Burns, Brunswick County EMS, Assistant Supervisor/Re-credential Coordinator
Justin Hewitt, Town of Holden Beach Police Department, Investigator
Ken Kennedy, Brunswick County, Building Inspector
Stephanie Lewis, Brunswick County, Operations Service Director

State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) just completed its fourth year of assisting members with tax preparation services, and 2011 saw remarkable results as SECU helped almost 53,000 members claim more than $82 million in refunds while saving them approximately $7.9 million in tax preparation fees!  Through its participation in the IRS free Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, the Credit Union increased the number of members helped by more than 35% to nearly 48,000, up from 35,000 in 2010.  In only its second year of offering a low-cost tax preparation service for members who fall above the income threshold for VITA, SECU more than doubled the number assisted, increasing to almost 5,000 from the 2,100 figure of last season.

A main focus of SECU’s tax preparation services is to ensure that participating members benefit from all tax credits for which they qualify - credits that often go unclaimed by those eligible, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).  This season, SECU helped members claim more than $35 million in tax credits, including $20.8 million in EITCs.

Tenesha Carter, SECU’s SVP of Tax Preparation Services comments, “By offering free tax preparation to qualifying members through VITA and complementing that program with SECU’s low-cost tax preparation option, we are making a tremendous financial difference for many members at a time when they need it most.  As the North Carolina economy continues to struggle, it is imperative that SECU, as a trusted financial advisor, does what it can to keep more money in the pockets of our members.  It is very rewarding to see just how much this program is helping the citizens of our State.” 

“The SECU VITA partnership with the Internal Revenue Service has been extremely beneficial to North Carolinians, as seen in the numbers of those helped by SECU branch personnel in 2011 and overall in the last four years.  Having an additional 237 VITA sites through SECU’s statewide branch network is a critical element in making sure everyone who qualifies for free tax preparation is aware of VITA and can get the help they need,” states Roger D. Burton, Territory Manager for IRS Stakeholder Partnerships, Education and Communication.

The Winston-Salem Firemen’s Credit Union is the first credit union in the state of North Carolina to offer the Money Mission. The credit union believes there is so much for teens to gain, the Mission Heights village is available to anyone by visiting its website www.wsfiremenscu.com and  follow the Money Mission sign. The credit union has decided that participants do not have to be a member to participate with Money Mission.  

The credit union notes that Money Mission is the only financial literacy tool in the marketplace that fulfills the need for financial education in an interactive, online competitive environment that has real rewards for players.   High school juniors and seniors are encouraged to sign up to Play Money Mission at www.wsfiremenscu.com .   They will join teens across the country to compete for scholarships.

Scott Gauldin, President of the Winston-Salem Firemen’s Credit Union Board of Directors, noted that, “The Money Mission program is a great opportunity for all young people to learn and develop skills in money management and day to day financial decisions, we are very proud to be able to offer this to the community”.

Pictured from left: Hope Galunas – SECU Member, Tommy Norwood – SECU Bluebird House Delivery, Gwen Ferrone – SECU-Member Education, Toretta Snipes – SECU-Butner, Governor Perdue, Frank Newell – Eastern Bluebird Rescue Group, Kristye Steed – SECU Warrenton, Anthony Steed – Eastern Bluebird Rescue Group.

The Bluebird Project was initiated in 2002 after Toretta Snipes, Senior Vice President of SECU’s Butner office met Mr. Newell.  His passion for saving the dwindling bluebird population was infectious, and soon Snipes and SECU were on board to sell a lofty goal of 25,000 bluebird houses.   Needless to say, SECU branches didn’t stop with 25,000 and even after surpassing 100,000, Credit Union staff continue to sell the bluebird houses for just $10 – the cost to construct and deliver the expertly crafted boxes.

Mrs. Snipes commented, “Coordinating this project with Frank Newell and his volunteers at Eastern Bluebird Rescue Group has been such a privilege for me.  I am inspired by their passion for the bluebirds and the environment and I am thrilled that SECU’s membership has continued to support this effort in record numbers, allowing us to reach the 100,000 milestone!”

On presenting the 100,000th box to Governor Perdue, Mr. Newell, stated, “I was honored to be on the grounds of the Governor’s Mansion presenting one of our boxes to Governor Perdue.  The commemorative bluebird house has been placed in the Mansion’s South Garden and we hope that an Eastern North Carolina bluebird now has a new home.  I am so proud of what we have accomplished with SECU and look forward to continuing this partnership for many years!”

(Editor's note: the following information was written and provided by CUNA Mutual Group.)

By John Wallace

Reviewing your credit union’s protections against legal action against its board of directors is important now, given the NCUA’s new financial literacy requirements and other rules on fiduciary requirements for directors. And the proposed “Golden Parachutes and Indemnification Payments” rule should be on your board’s radar screen.

In general, fiduciary duties of board members are changing. Your credit union may need to adjust or augment its Directors and Officers (D&O) liability policy.

Here are some questions to ask your liability policy provider about your credit union’s D&O coverage:

Q:  Does my policy have an insured-versus-insured exclusion, and what does that mean?

Most D&O policies basically exclude coverage for claims involving one insured suing another insured. Examples include a director suing  another director, or an officer suing an employee, for breach of fiduciary duty. Insurers added the exclusions after seeing the moral hazard in this type of claim. In the mid-1980s, Bank of America executives sued their own loan officers for making bad loans, and the loan officers were covered by the bank’s D&O policies.

If your policy has such an exclusion, find out whether it applies to situations in which a bankruptcy trustee or examiner—who may be considered an insured under the policy—sues your board. Often, the exclusion specifies that it doesn’t apply to these situations. Without that limitation, the exclusion would amount to an exclusion against claims resulting from the action of regulators.

Q:  What happens to our D&O policy if the credit union goes into conservatorship?

Each policy is different, but when a credit union goes into bankruptcy or conservatorship, many D&O policies either cancel or switch to a “run-off” policy that may cover different wrongful acts only prior to the conservatorship. (The Management & Professional Liability coverage underwritten by CUMIS Insurance Society, Inc., is an exception.) In short, a credit union's coverage dwindles when it’s needed most.

Q: How do we know that our directors’ indemnification agreement provides the best protection allowable if they should be sued?

Consult a qualified attorney to help you construct your board’s indemnification agreements to create the broadest indemnification.

Q: What can credit unions do to protect board members with these new rules from the NCUA being adopted and other potential changes on the horizon?

• Your board will face additional legal exposures, so consider additional D&O coverage. The policy’s coverage limits can simply be increased, but in addition, consider a Management Umbrella or Side A (Difference In Conditions) DIC. A Management Umbrella provides broader  indemnification when other insurance does not apply.
• Have an attorney review the indemnification provisions to ensure they align with the new rules. The attorney should also update your board about its fiduciary requirements.
• Start documenting your board's attendance at financial-based courses to support the new financial literacy requirements.
• Consider broader corporate governance standards.
  

John Wallace is the product executive for CUNA Mutual Group’s Bond and Management & Professional liability insurance products.  Contact him at 800.356.2644, ext. 7151, or at john.wallace@cunamutual.com.

Reidsville High School students tally the cost of the life choices they made during the Real Money. Real World program sponsored by American Partners FCU in March.

That’s the idea behind Real Money. Real World., a program American Partners Federal Credit Union hosted at Reidsville High School on March 11th.  The real-life educational program allowed high school students a taste of the adult life. 

Real Money. Real World. helps students realize that their career choice, education, and potential lifestyle are all important. Mrs. Faeth, a teacher at Reidsville High School, says “It’s very important that our students participate in this program so they can see just how much it costs to live in the real world and all of the expenses that are involved.”

Here’s how Real Money. Real World works:  Community business representatives and volunteers were invited to set up booths at the high school.  Various booths such as childcare, insurance, groceries, transportation, clothing, housing, utilities, and a credit union were all set up.  Students were given random careers with their monthly paycheck and were required to visit each booth to purchase products and services.  Those students who spent their money wisely and made smart purchases may have had money left over at the end of the month, whereas students who made lesser salaries or more expensive purchases may have had to take on a second job.  Those that couldn’t make ends meet had to go visit the credit union booth to receive financial advice.

The students realize it’s all just make-believe, but this simulation made a real impact.  Cedric Watlington, a student at Reidsville High speaking about his experience, states “Real Money. really helped me out a lot, because out of everyone in the room I was a high school dropout and made the least amount of money.  I think this is a wake-up call for me, so I will do better in school.”

Kim Perdue from American Partners Federal Credit Union volunteered at the financial advice booth.  She said, “the students’ biggest eye opener was that they needed a second job just to make ends meet each month.”  Mrs. Perdue heard repeatedly throughout the day from students that they had a new found respect for their parents and how hard they worked.

The students thoroughly enjoyed their experience, but were shocked at how hard it was to meet a monthly budget.  At the end of the simulation, comments included, “I don’t need the expensive stuff,” “I need to wait until I have a better paying job before having kids,” and “Life is a whole lot harder than I thought.”  That’s what Real Money. Real World. is all about.  Making a difference.

This program was such a success that American Partners FCU has been invited back to host the program again this fall at Reidsville High School.  Without our community volunteers, this program would not have been as beneficial to the students.  Thanks to Blue Sky Realty, Reidsville Nissan, State Farm in Eden, Liberty Tax Services, and many others for their time and devotion to making a difference in the lives of these students.     

Thanks to an initiative by its teller staff in all 236 statewide branch locations, State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) is helping members “make the switch” to a consumer-friendly Credit Union checking account.  Even though 800,000 of the Credit Union’s 1.6 million members already utilize SECU’s checking product, the “Switch” program offers Credit Union personnel a chance to increase this number even further and help members, on a one-on-one basis, who could benefit financially with an SECU checking account. Since the initiative began, over 11,000 members have been educated on the Credit Union’s checking product and 750 have already officially made the switch to SECU!

The “Switch” project idea was a result of tellers recognizing that a large majority of members without an SECU checking account felt it would be too inconvenient to move to the Credit Union.  A focus group of Teller Services Managers was formed and met with SECU’s Senior Vice President of Corporate Projects Patty Munns to develop a “Switch” program.  SECU Teller Services Managers from across the State then gathered in early February to learn about the program details and the project kick-off began on March 1st. As they are serving members at their stations, tellers identify who might benefit from a Credit Union checking account and they work to educate members on the SECU product.  However, the key feature of the SECU “Switch” is the opportunity to work individually with the same teller, who guides a member through the step-by-step process of moving a checking account from another financial institution to SECU.

Ms. Munns states, “This Checking Switch project is a great initiative for our teller staff as they are the first point of contact for members visiting the branch.  Tellers interact daily with the membership and have a clear understanding of the services they use.  The ultimate goal is to help members save money on the products they need and want from their financial institution without compromising convenience or service.  The ‘Switch’ process can be hassle-free and SECU tellers are now proving that on a daily basis!”

Carlos Patiño, Members Credit Union’s (MCU) Director of Latino Member Services, was awarded the 2011 Hanesbrands Inc. Hispanic Leadership Award during the Hispanic League’s Annual Spanish Nite Gala held on April 9, at the Embassy Suites in Winston-Salem, NC. The award recognizes outstanding leadership within the Forsyth County Hispanic Community.

"I am very passionate about helping people," remarked Patiño. "That is why I came to work at Members Credit Union as a Latino Member Services Representative."

Today, Patiño is the Director of Latino Member Services at Members Credit Union and his commitment to financial literacy in Winston-Salem’s Hispanic Community is stronger than ever. He has lead a youth mentoring program for 12 to 18-year-olds at the Winston-Salem YMCA and conducted financial literacy seminars in High Point and Winston-Salem to support the Family Literacy campaign sponsored by Toyota and the YMCA Outreach Program.

Patiño devotes himself to teaching the Hispanic Community about the importance of education and the role it plays in helping them reach their financial goals. His message has been distributed through local Spanish-language media outlets and he continues to speak to the Hispanic Community through outreach programs hosted by the YMCA and church organizations about financial literacy.

(Editor's note: the following first person account, written by Carol Shan Nault, appeared in Crisis Control Ministry's most recent newsletter.)

Carol Shan Nault says she became acquainted with the work of Crisis Control Ministry when she referred a customer who was having trouble paying his electic bill due to a loss of work. Nault, who at the time worked for a finance company, later joined the credit union movement. She has continued to support CCM and the work it does in the Forsyth County community.

Several years ago, while working in collections for a finance company, I first became acquainted with Crisis Control Ministry.  I had a customer who was out of work due to illness and did not have the money to pay his electric bill.  I had been told that CCM helped people in these situations, so I shared this information with the gentleman, hoping he could be helped in some way.  He not only received assistance with his electric bill, but also received food for his family and assistance with making his mortgage payment.  This temporary assistance gave him the moment he needed to catch his breath and to get back on his feet.  It also raised his spirits, knowing that someone else cared.  

After learning how this gentleman was helped, I was so impressed with what I heard about Crisis Control that I had to see for myself exactly how things worked.  I came to Crisis Control, took the tour and became a friend for life.  There are many stories that I could share about how Crisis Control has been there for people needing help.

I now work for a credit union where “people helping people” is the motto we live by.   Continuing to work in the collections area and dealing with its members, I can recommend Crisis Control to help those in need of emergency assistance. 

Seeing how CCM had helped so many of my members, I nominated CCM to become the recipient of a fundraiser of my credit union and also one for the Northwest Chapter of Credit Unions, where I sit on the Board. 

Although I have never personally been helped by CCM, I  have definitely been helped spiritually.  Thank you for allowing me to be a part of something so special!

(Editor's note: Crisis Control is a Christian-based ministry whose mission is to assist people in crisis to meet essential life needs and to become self-sufficient. Find out more at http://www.crisiscontrol.org/index.cfm.)

Stranch served as Coastal’s public relations intern during the summer of 2010. During her tenure as an intern, she performed a variety of tasks from composing news releases to writing articles for Coastal’s magazine, Beacon.

“We’re excited to have Lauren back on our team,” said Joe Mecca, Coastal’s Marketing/Advertising Manager. “She has a passion for connecting people and will help Coastal to more quickly and effectively share our story through new and emerging communication channels.”

 Stranch graduated from North Carolina State University, where she earned a BA in Communication.

SECU Chairman Jim Barber receives the Louise Herring Award from Susan Streifel, CUNA Awards Committee Chair.

Prior to winning the national award, SECU competed in North Carolina Credit Union League’s statewide competition and received a first place finish.  Credit unions compete at both state and national levels based on asset size.  SECU won the Louise A. Herring Award in the category of credit unions with assets of more than $250 million.

Jim Barber, SECU’s Board of Directors Chairman, comments, “The Mortgage Assistance Program was developed as both a reactive and proactive measure, helping members at the first sign of delinquency, as well as those facing job loss due to upcoming workforce reductions.  Through a variety of payment options and personalized financial plans within the program, the Credit Union has already helped 7,000 North Carolina families, and we are continuing to refine MAP to assist even more.  While very rewarding for SECU to help fellow members who may be struggling in this economy, it is also a great feeling to be recognized by CUNA for these efforts.”

Local Government Federal Credit Union (LGFCU) proudly announces nine new advisory council members to six of its 28 councils across the state, meaning this important volunteer group has broken the 500-member milestone.
 
“Having this strong connection to North Carolina’s local government community gives LGFCU the unique ability to spread the benefits of credit union membership much farther than we could on our own,” said LGFCU Volunteer Development Officer Sandy Green. “We are now in 94 counties…and still growing.”
 
Advisory Council members are an integral part of LGFCU’s volunteer-driven initiative not only to educate people on the benefits of credit union membership, but also to relay feedback to the board of directors regarding available/potentially available products and services, delivery of service and member needs. They represent the philosophical character of the credit union and contribute their time without compensation.

March’s appointees are:
 
Central Mountain
Amy Davis, Town of Boone, Finance Officer
Brent Graybeal, Watauga County, Planner
Angie Ritter, Watauga County, Human Resources Coordinator
 
Foothills
Sam Arrowood, Jr., McDowell County Sheriff’s Office, Chief Deputy
 
Lake Hickory
Lynn Teague, Alexander County, Building Inspector
Sylvia Turnmire, Alexander County, Human Resources Director
 
Lake Norman
Micah Dancy, Town of Granite Falls, Reserve Police Officer
 
Southern Mountain
Maria Wagner, Hendersonville Police Department, Reserve Telecommunicator
 
Western Triangle
Lenora Melton, Person County, Geographic Information System Technician

Discount theme park tickets will once again be available at all State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) branches through the Credit Union’s continued partnership with the State Employees Association of North Carolina (SEANC).  From mid-April through the end of September, SECU and SEANC members can visit any of SECU’s 236 branches statewide to purchase discount tickets to area attractions including Carowinds, Kings Dominion, Busch Gardens, Myrtle Waves, NASCAR Speedpark and Pavilion Nostalgia Park in Myrtle Beach.  The Credit Union has been offering this seasonal benefit for nearly ten years and it continues to be extremely popular with the membership.   Despite a struggling economy, sales have remained strong, reaching a record high $3.1 million in 2010.

Leigh Brady, Senior Vice President of SECU’s Education Services department, comments, “We are happy to be working with SEANC to provide discount tickets that represent a good value for our members.  We realize with ongoing economic challenges that many families are opting for vacations closer to home.  Being able to purchase tickets to area parks at a budget-friendly price is extremely helpful to those families and we are glad to offer this service.”

“SEANC is excited to partner with State Employees’ Credit Union again this year to sell discount theme park tickets.  With SECU’s convenient locations, it is a great benefit for our members to be able to purchase the tickets at their local branch and save money,”
 says Kevin LeCount, SEANC Member Strength Director.

This information will provide state credit union leagues/associations and the broader credit union movement with fuel for state and national public awareness, advocacy, and related outreach efforts. Survey responses will create a rich, vibrant and sustainable source of data and statistics about the lives touched by credit unions.

“No one has quantified in-depth information for the entire credit union movement around financial education,” said Bucky Sebastian, NCUF Executive Director. “From the limited data that we have collected through REAL Solutions, we know that credit unions have an impressive story to tell, and it behooves us to show legislators and community leaders the extent to which credit unions advance financial literacy and decision-making, especially given the government’s ever-increasing emphasis on financial education.”

Each league/association will have a section in the resulting report that contains state-specific data and comparisons to national figures. Designed for maximum impact and exposure, the report will be used for communications, advocacy and outreach efforts, and will be accessible to participating credit unions at no charge through the REAL Solutions® Impact Center. In addition, a companion tool detailing member financial education/counseling products and credit union best practices will be published in conjunction with the report. 

NCUF is using an online survey tool to gather this data during March and April. Roughly 700 credit union CEO/presidents will receive an email from Lois Kitsch in the coming weeks requesting their participation in the Inventory. However, NCUF is inviting all U.S. credit unions to participate in the project. 

Credit unions may use the following URL to access the survey: https://vovici.com/wsb.dll/s/f49dg49018.  Or, credit unions can simply visit the REAL Solutions Impact Center at www.realsolutions.coop to access the survey.

“NCUF and state CU leagues/associations eagerly await the results of this data collection effort,” said Lois Kitsch, NCUF’s REAL Solutions National Program Director. “We know that credit unions are doing amazing work in the area of member financial literacy and education. And while we read and hear about these tools and programs on a daily basis, we now need to quantify your efforts so we can share credit unions’ overall impact with those who rely on numbers to measure success.”

The eight sections of the inventory:
1. Financial counseling programs
2. Classroom education (for students)
3. Seminars and workshops (for adults)
4. Experiential learning programs
5. In-school branches
6. Online resource centers/tools/courses
7. Financial communication tools
8. General financial education questions

A notable section of the inventory seeks to determine the extent to which credit union financial education/counseling programs align with a set of Financial Education Core Competencies developed by the U.S. Treasury Department’s Financial Literacy and Education Commission and referenced in the National Financial Capability Challenge Educator Toolkit.

For questions and additional information, please contact Lois Kitsch at lkitsch@ncuf.coop  or 414.793.1991.

State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) recently piloted a successful Estate Planning Essentials Program to volunteers and has now launched the program to members statewide – this time with an added loan feature.  The Credit Union began offering the Estate Planning Essentials Program to fill member needs for basic estate planning, including a will, which is a critical element of any financial plan.  The added feature of a new loan product will now help those who do not have a will and are deterred by the expense of having one prepared.  The loan, currently at a low 10.75% rate, will allow members up to 12 months to pay for the program, an average monthly cost of approximately $32.00.  To date, over 3,000 members, including employees and volunteers, have participated in the program.

Through the Estate Planning Essentials Program, a member’s estate planning package can include a will with possible trust provisions, a Durable Power of Attorney (POA), a Healthcare Power of Attorney (HPOA) and Living Will, and a HIPAA Authorization, all prepared by an experienced estate planning attorney who has agreed to complete the documents at a set member price.  Services included in this basic program are priced at $250 for an individual and $350 for a couple with substantially similar estate plans whose documents are prepared at the same time.  Members who require more complex planning can work with SECU Trust Representatives and a local attorney of the members’ choice to help address their estate planning needs.

Sara Trexler, Senior Vice President of SECU’s Trust Services department, comments, “The Estate Planning Essentials Program was piloted to both SECU employees and member-volunteers with overwhelming success.  We are very excited to be able to offer this valuable service, along with a loan feature if needed, to help all members prepare for the future needs of their family, ensuring that their intended plans are defined and documented appropriately.  The Credit Union is strongly committed to assist members creating a solid financial plan and the Estate Planning Essentials Program is a key piece of that financial plan.”

Statesville branch Advisory Board member Rose Speece noted, “I feel the Estate Planning Essentials Program is one of the most beneficial programs the Credit Union has ever offered members and I am eager to mention this to other members who are in need of estate planning.”

Fellow Statesville Advisory Board member Bill Day added, “I appreciate the low cost of the program, which proves it is geared towards average, working-class Credit Union members who would possibly put off estate planning because of the high cost associated with it.”

NORTH CAROLINA
OFFICE OF THE TREASURER JANET COWELL, TREASURER
325 NORTH SALISBURY STREET, RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA 27603-1385 · (919) 508-5176 · FAX (919) 508-5167

Saving for the Future: Reviewing Your Retirement Goals
By State Treasurer Janet Cowell

Tax filing season is a great time to evaluate your current financial situation and review your financial goals. One of those goals should involve saving for retirement. Having adequate savings can mean the difference between living comfortably and struggling in retirement. There are a number of things you can do now to achieve your savings goals and reduce your tax liability at the same time.

To download the complete article, please click here. Credit unions may wish to share this with their members in newsletters and other publications.

Coastal Federal Credit Union announced today that it will begin offering teller services from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week.  The increased hours of service are possible due to Coastal’s implementation of the Personal Teller System, a technologically-enhanced video interface that allows tellers to provide traditional services to multiple branches from a single remote location within Coastal’s Raleigh headquarters.  

“As we upgraded our branches to the Personal Teller System over the past two years, we’ve extended weekday service and added some Saturday hours,” explained Larry Wilson, Coastal’s President and CEO.  “Now that we’ve fully realized the capabilities and efficiencies offered by the system, we’re able to further expand our Saturday hours and add Sundays, without making a significant impact on resources or staffing needs.”

The credit union has planned a staggered rollout of the new hours starting this weekend, March 19 and 20, with the first three locations: 

• 202 West NC Highway 54 (Southpoint Crossing Shopping Center), Durham
• 7451 Creedmoor Road, Raleigh
• 5000 Falls of Neuse Road, Raleigh

Coastal aims to have 13 of its 15 branches offering the seven-day-a-week schedule by early June.  The credit union is also developing solutions to configure two other locations to provide 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. teller service.

“This is a significant leap forward in member service and another solid reason for someone to choose to do business with us,” said Willard Ross, Coastal’s SVP/Chief Retail Officer. “We know that people run errands during the evenings and weekends. If we can make it convenient for them to stop in on a Sunday to quickly cash a check while on their way to the supermarket, instead of having to cut their lunch short or sneak away from the office early during the week, then we’ve given them one more reason to have their checking account here.”

The credit union hopes to create a buzz, somewhat literally, about the new service by running an aggressive marketing campaign within its branches, in all member communications, including its website and through broadcast media advertising. The campaign will feature an animated bee and will tout the new hours as a way that Coastal offers its members, “more time to smell the flowers.”

“We want members to know we’re available at the times that are most convenient to them;” added Ross, “and we also want someone who is in the process of choosing a new financial institution to feel like Coastal members get something special that isn’t available somewhere else.”

Pictured (from left): Jamie Applequist and Mark Twisdale of State Employees' Credit Union.

SECU has always been a strong supporter of its National Guard employee-reservists, and the organization has been recognized throughout the years for its efforts.  In 2005, the Credit Union received ESGR’s Five Star Recognition for its support of Guardsmen and Reservists and in 2009, SECU was the recipient of ESGR’s State Chairman’s Above and Beyond Award, which is awarded to employers who have exceeded legal requirements for providing support to Service Members who serve in the Guard and Reserve.  This past year, nearly 300 managers of SECU’s branches and operations departments participated in the Nation’s largest ever Statement of Support signing for the ESGR Program, displaying the Credit Union’s continuing commitment to their employees serving in the military.

Twisdale states, “State Employees’ Credit Union is dedicated to making sure our deployed SECU personnel have the strong support they need from this organization as they sacrifice to serve our Country.  We absolutely do not want these men and women worrying about job related aspects, and we want them to know how much we appreciate their efforts at home and abroad.  This support comes in many forms including providing differential pay, keeping employee benefits active, sending care packages, and helping with family members at home.  Still, what we do as an organization pales in comparison to what these soldiers do for all of us.”

“During my career with SECU, I have been deployed three times.  Throughout each and every transition, I have felt nothing but tremendous support at every level within the organization.  The Credit Union truly recognizes the importance of military service and has gone above and beyond to assist all of us who serve dual roles as SECU and military personnel.  I am proud to work for State Employees’ Credit Union and it is wonderful to see my employer receive this high honor,” adds Applequist.

The Cameron School of Business honored Ms. Tharp at a reception held on campus Tuesday March 1, 2011. The reception was part of Business Week 2011, an annual event designed to recognize accomplishments of the School’s alumni while introducing its students to current best practices in the world of business.

Chancellor Rosemary DePaolo, along with several former professors, recognized her professional accomplishments as well as her commitment and devotion to the ideals of the credit union industry. She became the first CEO of Cape Fear Employees Credit Union, a startup credit union serving E.I. DuPont de Nemours’ Cape Fear operation. She is active in several industry organizations including the Credit Union Executive Society and the North Carolina Credit Union League. She currently serves as Vice-Chair of the Carolinas Credit Union Foundation and sits on the Board of Carolina Credit Union Services Corporation.  Additionally, her interest in furthering collaboration among cooperatives is fostered by her involvement in the Cooperative Alliances Committee of Credit Union National Association.

“We are thrilled that UNC Wilmington is recognizing Ms. Tharp’s professional accomplishments as well as her contributions to our credit union and our industry,” said Jim Taylor, Board Chairman, Piedmont Advantage Credit Union. “Her dedication and professional acumen have brought new expectations for performance and accomplishment to our organization.”

State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) is pleased to announce another positive change for its members.  Effective immediately, SECU will absorb the cost of an appraisal for home equity lines of credit and closed end second mortgage loans.  This announcement follows a long list of beneficial lending changes that took effect last fall, when first mortgage loan appraisal fees were also waived for members.  In its research, the Credit Union found that the cost of an appraisal is often a deterrent for members who are contemplating a refinance.  With expected total member savings of $1.2 million annually from this change, SECU hopes the absorption of appraisal fees will open the door for more members whose finances can greatly benefit from the refinance of a mortgage or home equity product.

Spencer Scarboro, Senior Vice President of SECU’s Loan Originations department states, “We hope these recent changes will encourage members who are trapped in high interest rate loans to seek a better option at their Credit Union.  SECU personnel and its volunteer Board of Directors aggressively look for new and better ways to assist members, and there is no better time than the present to come up with good solutions to help members improve their economic condition.  The approval of so many beneficial changes by our Board of Directors demonstrates the commitment of the Credit Union to make a positive difference in the lives of its members.”

Some other recent member-friendly lending changes include a reduction in the lifetime cap from 8% to 6% for 2-year Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM) loans, an increase in the maximum loan term for used vehicle loans to 72 months and SECU’s waiver of DMV Lien Recording fees for vehicle loans.

Jim Barber, Chairman of SECU’s Board of Directors adds, “These changes, combined with the appraisal fee waiver and numerous other improvements are having a positive impact on the wallets of SECU’s members, allowing them to lower interest rates and monthly payments while improving their budgets during a very difficult economic time.”

In partnership with College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC) and the North Carolina Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NCASFAA), State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) branches, for the third consecutive year, served as sites for FAFSA Day.  Held on February 19th, FAFSA Day provided students and parents with assistance in completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form, the required first step to qualify for federal and state aid for college, including grants, work-study and loans.  SECU served approximately 2,000 parents and students, nearly doubling figures from the prior year.  The FAFSA initiative followed SECU’s participation in November’s College Application Week, when SECU personnel assisted at high schools where over 6,000 NC students completed required forms for submission to area colleges. 

FAFSA Day is held annually in various North Carolina locations, and SECU’s ongoing participation helps to ensure that all 100 counties have FAFSA sites.  Over 1,000 Credit Union employees have now been trained to help complete FAFSA forms, as more NC students seek to further their education and apply for federal assistance.  An example of this increase is seen in data from the NC State Education Assistance Authority which indicates a 76% increase since 2006-07 in the number of students attending or applying to NC community colleges who complete the FAFSA form.

Robbie Schultz, of the NC State Education Assistance Authority and coordinator of FAFSA Day, said, “This free service would not be possible without the help, organization and technical support provided by all the financial aid professionals and technology experts, SECU and Cooperative Extension Agency employees, school counselors and other volunteers at every location.  With their help, we had the most successful FAFSA Day yet and assisted thousands of NC students heading to college this fall.”

Vice President of IRA Systems and Projects for SECU, Paulette Bowden responds, “SECU values its relationships with CFNC and NCASFAA and is proud to partner with these groups for educational initiatives such as FAFSA Day and College Application Week.  As a complement to these initiatives, this year SECU personnel provided FAFSA Day participants with information on available scholarships, including the member-funded SECU Foundation ‘People Helping People’ scholarships.  It’s extremely rewarding to help North Carolina’s students in their quest for higher education.”

State Employees’ Credit Union recently partnered with the Retirement Systems Division of the NC Department of State Treasurer to offer information and advice about a new transfer benefit available to retiring and retired state and local government employees.  The benefit provides a one-time opportunity for members of the Teachers and State Employees’ Retirement System (TSERS) and the Local Government Employees Retirement System (LGERS) to transfer all or part of their before-tax funds in the NC 401(k) or NC 457 to the member’s NC Retirement System account, in return for a lifetime monthly benefit.  Expected to help thousands of TSERS and LGERS members, SECU personnel are embracing the opportunity to assist these current or potential retirees with another budgeting option.  Additionally, SECU and the Retirement Systems have developed a website, www.nclifetimeincome.org, to complement the effort.
 
Retiring members who have a large NC 401(k)/457 balance and whose ongoing monthly expenses exceed their income may be ideal candidates for this new benefit, while members whose NC 401(k)/457 balance is small may wish to keep their funds in the current NC 401(k)/457 as an emergency fund. 

Currently, actively employed members may transfer funds upon retirement.  Effective July 1, retirees will have the option to transfer NC 401(k)/457 funds at any time during retirement, ideal for those who may wish to forgo the transfer benefit at the present time.  The transfer benefit program allows for a one-time transfer option per account.    

The www.nclifetimeincome.org site provides a link to the State of North Carolina’s online retirement benefits website, ORBIT, where members of TSERS and LGERS can log in and get an estimate of their potential monthly benefit.  A quick calculator also allows retirees to determine if the benefit might be suitable for them.  SECU staff members in branches, as well as the Contact Center, have been trained to provide advice to current or potential retirees on the transfer benefit.
 
SECU Senior Vice President of IRA and Investment Services Joan McCool states, “SECU has a Pre-Retirement Assessment tool that members can use on their own or with the assistance of a Financial Services Officer to see if they are saving enough for retirement.  A Post-Retirement Assessment also helps members determine how much they can withdraw each year during retirement while not outliving their income.  Helping members of TSERS and LGERS determine if this benefit might be suitable fits in with Retirement Planning services our Credit Union provides --- it’s a win-win situation for SECU members.”

Local Government Federal Credit Union (LGFCU) proudly announces the addition of five new advisory council members to five of its 28 councils across the state.

The new appointments are an integral part of LGFCU’s volunteer-driveninitiative not only to educate people on the benefits of credit union membership, but also to relay feedback to the board of directors regarding available/potentially available products and services, delivery of service and member needs.

Advisory council members, who represent the philosophical character of the credit union and contribute their time without compensation, function as LGFCU’s eyes and ears throughout the state, serving as liaisons between credit union members and non-members and LGFCU management.

February’s appointees are:
 
Central Mountain
Alyce Sparks-Owens, Spruce Pine Housing Authority, Executive Director
 
Eastern Triangle
Leighanna Worley, Town of Wilson’s Mills, Administrator/Clerk/Finance Officer
 
Tar River
Thomas Hopkins, City of Wilson Police Department, Chief of Police
 
Wake
Ike Wheeler, Wake County ABC Board, Assistant General Manager
 
Western Sandhills
Angie Kantor,Village of Pinehurst, Human Resources Director
 
LGFCU is also proud to announce the addition of Davis McKinney of Spruce Pine to its Youth Advisory Council, Our Generation—Speakin’ Up. This group, which formed in February of 2008, comprises North Carolina middle and high school students. Now with 17 members, this group continues be instrumental in assisting the credit union in the development of a new generation of products and services for children, teens and young adults.

In a move designed to enhance its beneficial payday lending alternative potential for nearly 100,000 monthly Salary Advance Loan (SALO) participants, State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) is on-track to make consumer-focused changes to its maximum $500 loan product.  For many of the program’s regular users, SECU will be lowering the standard 12% interest rate to a share secured rate of 5.5%, reducing the members’ interest costs by over 50%!  The change is expected to save members over $400,000 in interest costs alone, providing much-needed relief to their monthly budgets.  SECU is also enhancing the savings feature of the product – a move designed to increase SALO users’ savings balances and earnings by more than $1.5 million!

Ten years ago the Credit Union introduced the Salary Advance Loan program as a low-cost alternative to payday lenders.  Since the program’s introduction, over 150,000 members have taken advantage of the affordable borrowing opportunity.  One of the enhancements made to the program since its 2001 introduction was the addition of a savings component in 2003 requiring members to set aside 5% of each loan advance in a Salary Advance savings account.  Since 2003, SALO participants have saved over $20 million in their accounts, and some members have accumulated savings in excess of $2,500.  For members who have attained at least $500 of savings, the Credit Union is lowering the interest on their SALO loan from 12% to 5.50%.  The interest rate will remain at the reduced rate as long as the savings balance is $500 or greater. 

With the enhancement, SECU’s required savings percentage will also increase from 5% of the loan amount to 7% --- a move designed to increase a member’s chance of graduating from the Salary Advance Loan program into other long-term savings programs at the Credit Union!  A typical $500 loan advance will now result in a savings deposit of $35 as opposed to $25.  SECU is also exploring the possibility of a low $100 minimum-balance CD program as a future improvement to the program.

Bobby Gardner, SECU Senior Vice President of Loan Systems, states, “When the Credit Union began its SALO Program in 2001, it was designed as an alternative to high-cost payday lenders.  What a wonderful alternative it has been for nearly 150,000 members, as the current program saves SALO participants an unbelievable $63 million each year in interest charges compared to typical payday lenders.  We are pleased to be able to improve the program even further and add to the savings for many SALO users.  SECU is continually looking for ways to help members keep money in their pockets and improve their financial lives.  It’s what we were designed to do 74 years ago when the Credit Union was chartered --- and it’s what we strive to do today!”

With the State of North Carolina facing a budget deficit of $2.7 billion, State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) is fine-tuning its beneficial Mortgage Assistance Program to better assist State government employees facing potential job cuts.  SECU originally developed its Mortgage Assistance Program (MAP) in January 2009 with the objective of “helping members stay in their homes” during the economic recession.  With 7,000 North Carolina families already helped through MAP, the Credit Union is gearing up for a second wave of program participants who may experience job losses through State government reductions.  This MAP II initiative demonstrates first-hand SECU’s continuing commitment to work with its members in difficult economic times!

As with its initial program, SECU’s revamped MAP provides members an opportunity to meet in person with a senior Credit Union officer and develop an individual financial plan designed to meet primary needs and obligations on a very limited budget.  To avoid possible foreclosure situations, members with an SECU mortgage loan may benefit from options including partial payment alternatives, mortgage loan modifications, refinances or possible extensions.  Budgeting, financial counseling and overall debt restructuring are critical elements of the revised program, with an emphasis on total member involvement in developing a successful workout plan.  As a prelude to MAP II, SECU personnel have been identifying members whose current loan situations warrant a refinance.  To further benefit members, SECU has implemented numerous lending changes in recent months to better accommodate possible refinance situations. 

SECU Senior Vice President of Loan Servicing Mark Coburn comments, “SECU’s Mortgage Assistance Program has been successful in keeping members faced with job and income loss in their homes, and the Credit Union is positioned to help a second round of program participants.  Unusual economic times call for unusual actions and SECU, instead of walking away, will continue to move forward and provide as much assistance as possible.”

Distressed communities in North Carolina struggling with economic development issues have two new programs to watch for on the horizon. A joint venture between Local Government Federal Credit Union (LGFCU) and the UNC School of Government (SOG) means cities, towns and counties lacking the capacity to build their own development finance tools will not only have the assistance to do so, but also the vested interest of a financial institution.
 
“Major financial institutions are often not interested in small-scale economic development projects, like retrofitting an abandoned downtown building or helping increase storefront signage along Main Street,” says LGFCU President Maurice Smith. “They may also not be willing to help local governments maneuver through the red tape involved with other supplemental sources of funding, like tax credits.”
 
The first of two programs being developed, Expanding Development Finance in North Carolina, will help create new opportunities for economically-distressed communities by increasing their access to often-complicated development finance products and services. LGFCU is granting the SOG $1 million for this five-year project, after which it is expected to become self-sustaining.
 
The second part of the initiative, the LGFCU Fellows Executive Development Program, will be aimed at mid-level managers in local government, teaching them the skills to build and manage successful development finance programs. The $625,000 grant to develop this program will also subsidize course registration fees for three groups of fellows—especially important right now when many local governments are being forced to cut back on training and development. This program is expected to become self-sustaining after four years.
 
“We believe we are creating a new industry,” says Smith. “We frequently see that local governments want to help themselves, but sometimes a simple lack of resources is the only inhibitor. These programs will help communities that have the desire and knowledge to take on economic development initiatives; they just need the tools and resources to take it from theory to application. At the same time, thiseffort will create a new lending market for LGFCU. It’s a win-win for everyone involved.”

State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) is pleased to announce the addition of EMV (chip) technology to its debit card portfolio, making it one of the first financial institutions in the country to add the microchips for increased transaction security over traditional magnetic stripe cards.  Oberthur Technologies will provide the non-profit cooperative with the technology needed for its EMV migration. While there is widespread adoption of the new technology worldwide, virtually none of the more than one billion chip cards in circulation are in the United States.  SECU’s 1.6 million debit cardholders will now lead the US migration!

Chip cards securely store and process data efficiently.  The cards are also more difficult to copy, providing enhanced security against lost, stolen and counterfeit card fraud.  As the next evolution of electronic payments, the EMV technology cards are helping to make the payment system even more secure.  SECU will begin its migration in March, with a completion target date for late 2011.

Leanne Phelps, Senior Vice President of SECU’s Card Services department states, “SECU’s goal is to provide products and services which offer enhanced value and protection.  The EMV technology enables us to offer members increased fraud protection along with stress-free use of their card worldwide.”

“State Employees’ Credit Union is among the first in the country to bring EMV technology to its members --- an important step in closing the gap in security payment standards between the US and the rest of the world,” said Martin Ferenczi, Managing Director of the Americas Region for the Card Systems Division at Oberthur Technologies.  “The credit union’s members will join the hundreds of millions of cardholders worldwide currently using the EMV standard to help prevent identity theft and fraudulent financial transactions.”

Cabarrus Regional Chamber President John Cox, Congressman Larry Kissell (NC-08), Southern Select President and CEO Huyla Jackson and members of the community join Concord Mayor Scott Padgett as he cuts the ribbon marking the grand opening of the new Concord branch. (Photo provided courtesy of Cong. Kissell's office.)

(To see video of the grand opening celebration, please click here - video courtesy of Lori Kawulok.) 

Southern Select Community Credit Union celebrated the grand opening of its newly relocated branch on Branchview Drive in Concord Monday morning. Dozens of credit union members joined staff, board members and local dignitaries in dedicating the new branch. The credit union also had a special guest visitor in Congressman Larry Kissell.

In addition to his visit, Cong. Kissell's office also issued a press release to the local media calling attention to the branch opening. The release included Kissell's strong statement of support for credit unions and small businesses. "Kissell has been a strong advocate for local credit unions, allowing community members to safely invest their money locally," the release said. "Kissell has also pushed for increased access to capital for small businesses, which credit unions have played a vital role in providing," the release stated.

“We were so grateful for Cong. Kissell’s presence at our new branch,” said Southern Select Community Credit Union President/CEO Huyla Jackson. “The Branchview location helps us to deepen our commitment to the Concord community and more conveniently serve our membership. It was so very thoughtful of Larry Kissell to join us on such a special day of growth and celebration for the credit union.”    

The new location, at a major intersection in Concord, has a drive through and many other conveniences that will allow Southern Select to more fully serve its members in the area. In addition to the Branchview facility, the credit union has a branch in Kannapolis, and another location it shares with Call FCU in Concord.   

Pictured with Centennial Middle School students are First Gentleman Bob Eaves (center) and SECU Board of Director’s Chairman Jim Barber (right).

Eaves launched the program in New Bern in 2010, encouraging businesses to provide job shadowing opportunities for middle school students.  With a strong collaborative effort between Eaves, the N.C. Department of Public Instruction and the North Carolina Business Committee for Education, this year’s initiative grew to include more than 30 companies spanning all 100 North Carolina counties.

Swinson noted, “SECU employees enjoy the opportunity to speak with youth about financial education and career goals.  Students@Work provided us another great opportunity to reach out to local students, encouraging them to stay in school and work towards a successful career in a field of interest.  Job shadowing and workplace experiences can give students a better perspective of what they need to do to prepare for their future.”

Barber, who welcomed the students and introduced Eaves at the Raleigh event added, “The branch tour allowed students to see first-hand how SECU employees use their education to help others in the service industry through a financial cooperative.  State Employees’ Credit Union offers a wide array of services, requiring different talents and education expertise; and SECU encourages ongoing education.  Learning doesn’t stop when you graduate – it’s a lifelong process!” 

The Students@Work program focuses its efforts on middle school students because middle school is a crucial time for dropout prevention.  Out of every 100 students who enter the ninth grade, on average 71 graduate from high school and 29 drop out, according to the NC Department of Public Instruction. “Too many students don’t see the value in their education,” said Eaves. “We need to motivate these kids and let them see there is a bright future.”

Local Government Federal Credit Union (LGFCU) proudly announces the addition of four new advisory council members to three of its 28 councils across the state.

The new appointments are an integral part of LGFCU’s volunteer-driveninitiative not only to educate people on the benefits of credit union membership, but also to relay feedback to the board of directors regarding available/potentially available products and services, delivery of service and member needs.

Advisory council members, who represent the philosophical character of the credit union and contribute their time without compensation, function as LGFCU’s eyes and ears throughout the state, serving as liaisons between credit union members and non-members and LGFCU management.

January’s appointees are:
 
Northern Piedmont
Amelia Varner, Asheboro Housing Authority, Comptroller
 
Southern Coast
Dean Foley, Town of Tabor City Police Department, Captain
Al Leonard, Jr., Town of Tabor City, Town Manager
 
Wake
Petra Hales, Raleigh Housing Authority, Office Assistant IV

Jerry T. Church, William C. Parton, William A. Tittsworth, and Richard L. Trotter were elected by the credit union’s membership to new three-year terms on the Board of Directors at the Annual Shareholders Meeting.

Jerry T. Church is the Town Manager of Granite Falls, NC. He has an MBA from Appalachian State University and has served on the MCU Board continuously since 1994. Church serves as the Chairman of the Compensation Committee, and sits on the Executive Committee..

William C. Parton retired from Drexel Heritage Furnishings as the VP Human Resources. He has been a member of the MCU Board since 1989.

William A. Tittsworth is the sitting Chairman of the MCU Board and its Executive Committee. The Director of Compensation and Employee Benefits at Old Dominion Freight Line,Inc., Tittsworth began serving on the Board in 1989. He also serves on the Compensation Committee.

Richard L. Trotter retired from National Textiles in Rabun Gap, GA, where he was the HR Manager. He has served on the MCU Board since 1991, and sits on the Compensation Committee. He has a BS in Business Administration from the University of South Carolina.

Local Government Federal Credit Union (LGFCU) proudly announces the appointment of Dave Dunbar to the position of Vice President, Finance.
 
Dunbar has more than 20 years of experience working with complex asset liability management, profitability, cost modeling and product development. He recently served as Vice President, Asset Liability Management for First State Bank of the Florida Keys. At LGFCU, Dunbar will be responsible for finance functions, including asset liability management, financial analysis and investments.
 
Dunbar has an MBA in Finance from California State University, and holds numerous certifications and designations in his field. He lives in Raleigh, NC where he enjoys photography, science and Web design/development.

State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) recently added yet another enhancement to its traditional checking account product – Overdraft Fee Free Days!  Every SECU checking account enrolled in the Overdraft Protection Program will now automatically receive the benefit of having overdraft transfer fees waived for two days each calendar year.  Overdraft funds will be transferred from the protecting account as needed to cover items in a member’s checking account, but members will not be charged any overdraft transfer fee(s) for those two days.

The addition of Overdraft Fee Free Days follows numerous account enhancements to assist members who simply make an occasional calculation mistake.  One such complementary program launched at the beginning of 2010 is NSF Fee Free Days, which allows members to have $12 Non-Sufficient Funds fees waived on two days during the year, regardless of the number of items marked as NSF on either of the two days.  While SECU returns the items to the payee, Credit Union fees are waived to ease the financial burden to the member.
 
Some other recent enhancements include SECU’s Another Chance Program which provides mobile alerts and an additional day for members to cover inadvertent overdrafts without fee, return or embarrassment, and Two-Way Text Messaging which allows members to receive current account balance(s) and account history notifications via text message.  In 2010, these combined overdraft enhancements helped save SECU members over $5 million in potential NSF charges!

Shari Jones, Vice President of SECU’s Check & Mail Services department, comments, “Mistakes happen and Overdraft Fee Free Days provides another opportunity for SECU to help minimize the fees associated with balancing errors.  While this service is a great complement to the previously launched NSF Fee Free Days, other SECU initiatives such as text messaging and Another Chance are certainly helping to mitigate member overdrafts.  Now, more than ever, SECU knows that members need to keep more money in their pockets and the Credit Union is here to help them do just that!”

State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) is once again helping members “tackle their taxes” and save money with various tax preparation options, including the free Internal Revenue Service (IRS) sponsored Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.  This is SECU’s fourth year offering the VITA service and second year offering a low-cost tax preparation option for members whose basic returns fall outside of the VITA household income limit of $49,000.  Last year, SECU tax preparers filed more than 36,000 returns through the VITA Program, while 2,100 members were assisted with low-cost tax preparation services.  Tax preparation is provided in all 236 Credit Union branches statewide and SECU tax preparers are accepting appointments now through April 18th.  Electronic filing is available with both services, allowing members to receive their tax refunds in as little as 8-15 days.

Between its VITA and low-cost tax preparation programs, the Credit Union helped members receive $52.8 million in tax refunds while saving them more than $5.4 million in tax preparation fees in 2010.  Those members also claimed over $26.2 million in tax credits, including $15.2 million in Earned Income Tax Credits (EITC).  SECU’s continued efforts to educate members on the EITC and other available tax credits work in conjunction with IRS’s annual EITC Awareness Day campaign to highlight the beneficial Earned Income Tax Credit that goes unclaimed by many eligible taxpayers.  This year’s EITC Awareness Day is January 28th.  Through its educational efforts, along with an increased number of branches and SECU tax preparers, the Credit Union fully expects to help an even larger number of members in 2011.

Credit Union members who want to complete their own taxes have the option of using Intuit’s TurboTax® at discounted rates through the SECU website, www.ncsecu.org.  By going through SECU’s site, members will receive a 15% discount off of standard online TurboTax® rates.
 
Tenesha Carter, Senior Vice President of SECU’s Tax Preparation Services department, comments, “SECU aggressively looks for new and better ways to help members save money with services that are beneficial and convenient.  Through our partnership with the IRS and Intuit, along with SECU’s in-house offering, the Credit Union is helping a tremendous number of members have greater access to free and discounted tax preparation services.  In today’s economy, a tax refund provides much needed funds to pay down debt, buy necessities like food and electricity and help people stay in their homes.  Our goal is to help members receive all tax credits for which they are eligible and avoid costly tax preparation fees, putting as much tax refund money as possible in their pockets for what they need most!”

State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) is pleased to announce the offering of an Estate Planning Essentials Pilot Program to its member-volunteers.  The Credit Union has implemented this program to fill the need for basic estate planning and will preparation – a critical element of any sound financial plan.  Knowing that many individuals do not have a will, SECU hopes this program will encourage members to take this important step.  Available in SECU branch locations throughout the State, the pilot program provides estate planning documents, prepared by participating attorneys, to its nearly 3,000 volunteers serving on local branch Advisory Boards or the Credit Union’s Board of Directors.  The Credit Union is piloting the program to this group of volunteers to test the service, as they are an excellent resource group to critique the benefits of all new member offerings.  Upon successful completion of the pilot, the program will be made available to all SECU members.

The launch of its Estate Planning Essentials Program emphasizes SECU’s commitment to providing financial planning services.  Recognizing the skill level that an experienced estate planning attorney has, the Credit Union has identified a slate of experienced attorneys who have agreed to prepare estate planning documents at a predetermined price.  Each estate planning package will include a will with possible trust provisions, a Durable Power of Attorney (POA), a Healthcare Power of Attorney (HPOA) and Living Will, and a HIPAA Authorization.  For wills that include trust provisions, SECU Trust Services through MEMBERS Trust Company can be named as the corporate trustee by the member to manage the trust assets and oversee the distributions on behalf of the beneficiaries.

Sara Trexler, Senior Vice President of SECU’s Trust Services department, comments, “The Estate Planning Essentials Program is intended to cover the estate planning needs of most members whose situation can be addressed in one appointment with an attorney.  If a situation requires more complex planning, an SECU Trust Representative can also make recommendations regarding a specific need.  The Credit Union’s goal with this program is to assist members in preparing for the future needs of their family and to ensure that their intended plans are defined and documented appropriately.  Estate planning documents are critical to a solid financial plan and SECU is happy to offer this valuable service to member-volunteers.  We also look forward to rolling this program out to the general membership in the near future.”

Tricia Lennon (center) was one of five winners of a $1,000 prize for a charity of her choice. Lennon, pictured with Allegacy President/CEO Ike Keener, Jr. and EVP Cathy Pace, chose to support the Ronald McDonald House of Winston-Salem.

The promotion, that ran November 1 through December 15, 2010 entered Allegacy members into a drawing every time they used their Allegacy Visa® Check Card for a signature-based transaction of $50 or more. Five winners were randomly selected on Dec. 17, 20, 21, 22, and 23.

“This promotion allowed us to give our members the opportunity to uphold the credit union philosophy and help others in our community which is a great feeling for them and us,” said Allegacy President and CEO Ike Keener, Jr. “We’re happy to help pay it forward in a grand way.”
The five Grand Holiday Giveaway winners and their charities of choice are:

• Merrilee Idol of Clemmons chose Prodigals Community in Winston-Salem, where she volunteers often. Prodigals Community helps individuals and families whose lives are affected by alcohol and drug abuse. www.prodigals.org
• Janice Hedgecock of Kernersville chose Hospice and Palliative CareCenter in Winston-Salem.  While hospice care has been their cornerstone, programs now include grief counseling and advance care planning—both free of charge—for anyone in the community. www.hospicecarecenter.org
• Brent Lassiter of Cornelius chose the Derrick L. Davis Forsyth Regional Cancer Center in Winston-Salem that offers leading-edge technology as powerful weapons in the fight against cancer. www.forsythmedicalcenter.org
• Emily Mayes of Dobson chose the Joan & Howard Woltz Hospice Home in Dobson designed to be as homelike as possible for those who are unable to spend their final days of life at home. www.woltzhospicehome.org
• Tricia Lennon of Winston-Salem chose Ronald McDonald House (www.rmhwinstonsalem.org) of Winston-Salem.  RMH opens their doors to families of pediatric patients who are unable to be at home.  They did so for Tricia’s family when she was a child undergoing many surgeries for scoliosis.

“It is such an amazing feeling to be able to give back to an organization that gave me and my family so much,” said Lennon.

State Employees’ Credit Union members are once again investing in North Carolina students through the renewal of the member-funded SECU Foundation “People Helping People” High School Scholarship program.  Originally approved in 2004, the program provides a $10,000 four-year college scholarship to a graduating senior from each of the traditional public high schools and two charter high schools in the State.  The scholarship is awarded for study at one of the 16 constituent campuses in the University of North Carolina system.  The 2011 renewal of the high school scholarships brings the total educational funding commitment in North Carolina by SECU members to $28.5 million!

“People Helping People” scholarship recipients are chosen by each individual high school scholarship committee based on a student’s embodiment of the “People Helping People” spirit, along with an overall Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.5 or higher.  Keeping the selection process in the individual schools has proven successful, as the graduation rate of SECU Foundation scholarship recipients is exceptionally high at over 85%!

SECU Foundation Board of Directors Chair Shirley Bell comments, “The need for the SECU Foundation Scholarship program continues to grow as college expenses increase and our State’s economy struggles.  North Carolina is blessed with many wonderful State universities, and SECU members are committed to providing students throughout the State with opportunities to further their education through this great system.  SECU Foundation scholarships benefit the economy and help secure a bright educational future for North Carolina’s young adults.”

Local Government Federal Credit Union (LGFCU) proudly announces the addition of seven new advisory council members to six of its 28 councils across the state.

The new appointments are an integral part of LGFCU’s volunteer-driven initiative not only to educate people on the benefits of credit union membership, but also to relay feedback to the board of directors regarding available/potentially available products and services, delivery of service and member needs.

Advisory council members, who represent the philosophical character of the credit union and contribute their time without compensation, function as LGFCU’s eyes and ears throughout the state, serving as liaisons between credit union members and non-members and LGFCU management.

December’s appointees are:

Central Coast
Antuan Hawkins, Neuse Regional Library, Children’s Librarian

Eastern Sandhills
Michelle Babson, Cumberland County Tax Administration/Mapping/GIS Division, Manager

Lake Norman
Ray Abernathy, Jr., Catawba County ABC Board, General Manager
Brandon Elrod, City of Newton, Human Resources Specialist

Research Triangle
Daniel Oguin, RDU Airport Authority, Senior Plumber

Southern Mountain
Corporal Duane Frickel, Henderson County Sheriff’s Office/Supervisor Civil Process Division

Western Triangle
Diana Harris, Town of Chapel Hill Fire Department, Administrative Assistant

Mountain Credit Union and our members have really stepped up to the plate when it comes to Christmas giving this year. Although our branches are located in a wide geographical area, and each branch has chosen its own charities and organizations, we have done a great job collectively to meet the needs of our communities. What's more, even though the economy still isn't back to normal, we still participated in as many drives and fundraisers as possible.

For example, our Franklin branch sent out approximately 20 Christmas cards to members who don't have any family close by, or to those who may have lost a spouse or that might be alone for Christmas.  They also anonymously sent out $50 gift cards to 5 of our members in need.  We also helped organize toys for Toys for Tots by volunteering at the local collection center.

In Sylva, we bought things as a branch for the Haywood County Pack the Pantry and held a food drive for the Jackson County Community Table. These boxes of food items will be hand delivered by the staff to this organization on Christmas Eve.

The Waynesville staff, as they do every year, took care of 25 kids from Bright Beginnings Head Start by providing them with Christmas gifts and held a coat drive for the Open Door Soup Kitchen for the Needy. They also collected pink lids from Yoplait yogurt for the “Save Lids to Save Lives” campaign. And they purchased three $50.00 grocery store gift cards and clothing items for members in need. 

The Asheville and Fletcher branches both collected toys for Toys for Tots in Buncombe and Henderson Counties. Our members really came through in a big way this year. We collected everything from board games to a new bicycle, complete with a new helmet. And best of all, the Asheville branch made it possible for our members to visit with Santa Claus himself (see  photo)!

At Mountain Credit Union, our staff really cares for the communities that we serve and are involved in many charity events throughout the year. Our goal is to always serve our members well - every member counts. It’s the Credit Union’s “people-first” philosophy that makes our employees and members special. Our members know that Mountain Credit Union will be there for them in bad times, as well as good - especially at Christmas time.

On January 1, 2010, over 8,500 members of Premier Federal Credit Union received 5% of the interest paid in 2010 on eligible loans.  Each member’s portion of the more than $240,000 given back was deposited into their savings account. 

“The credit union philosophy as a financial cooperative is to return our profits to our members-owners.  We are pleased to be in the financial position that afforded us this opportunity!” stated Lori Thompson, President and CEO.  The decision to give the interest rebate was made by the Board of Directors at the meeting held in November with the announcement being made to the membership in the December newsletter.  “The response from our members has been very positive.” said Thompson,  “Some were calling before year end in anticipation of how much their rebate would be.  Now that it has posted, they are even more excited. This a great way for us to thank them for their business!”  said Thompson.

Premier Federal Credit Union was charted in 1963 and currently serves 23,704 members from 7 branch locations in North and one in South Carolina. 

“We’re very fortunate to have Kris joining our Strategic Management Team,” said Chuck Purvis, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. “He brings with him a wealth of industry experience and proven leadership, coupled with the kind of energy and youthful insight that will help propel Coastal forward in the coming years.”

Kovacs brings 17 years of credit union experience to Coastal’s Strategic Management Team, including leadership roles in e-commerce, collections and information technology. He has been a Coastal employee since 2004, most recently serving as Vice President of Collections and Delinquency Management.

Kovacs graduated with honors from George Mason University, where he earned a BS in Administration of Justice. He and his family are residents of Garner.

Staff and members of Lithium Federal Credit Union combined forces to make the holidays brighter for nearly 60 local children and their families. The Bessemer City credit union has sponsored a Christmas Angel Tree for 25 years.

Lithium Federal Credit Union in Bessemer City sponsored a Christmas Angel Tree for the 25th year in a row. Lithium FCU CEO Sharon Smith noted that members have always responded generously to the credit union drive and this year was no exception. "Our members came together and provided 59 area children with gifts, and their 15 families will receive food." The combined generosity of the nearly 950 members of Lithium FCU was on proud display in the weeks leading up to Christmas, with bicycles, Big Wheels and a variety of wrapped gifts on display in the credit union lobby.  

Carolina Postal Credit Union benefited people in a variety of ways this holiday season, and spread the word using a variety of old and somewhat new methods. CPCU branches did a Toys for Tots collection throughout the Fall, and the credit union also helped feed hungry people through their Fee4Food Program.  Fee4Food, which was introduced last year, allows members who bring in a canned food item through the month of December to have a fee they were assessed during the year refunded. 

In addition to these programs, individual CPCU branches also worked to bring benefit to agencies supported by local employees and members. The Greensboro Market Street branch collected gently used coats for people in need, while the Hickory location collected personal items for victims of domestic violence. Many of these efforts were announced on CPCU's Facebook page in order to further raise awareness.    

While Lithium FCU & CPCU's gift, food and other drives bring cheer to people living in local communities, other credit unions had overseas troops on their minds with the approach of the holidays. State Employees' Credit Union members combined to collect 5,000 gift boxes for overseas troops. SECU held the collection drive in October into early November. The gift boxes were packed with a wide variety of travel size items including dental supplies, soap, shampoo, first aid items, travel games, socks and food.   

SECU's drive helped to bring a little comfort to troops separated from their loved ones. Piedmont Advantage Credit Union aimed its efforts at troops seriously injured in the line of duty. Piedmont Advantage held an ornament sale to benefit Hope for the Warriors, which ensures that the sacrifices of the wounded across military service branches and throughout the nation will not be forgotten, nor their needs unmet.  The credit union began selling the ornaments after Thanksgiving, and hopes to sell all 100 by the time the sale ends before Christmas.

Piedmont Advantage Credit Union is selling Snowman and Team Little Guy Christmas ornaments to raise money for and awareness of Hope for the Warriors.

Coastal Federal Credit Union continued a long-standing tradition of support for Duke Children's Hospital this year. Coastal sold holiday greeting cards to raise funds for Duke, which is a leading provider of pediatric care.

These holiday drives are a few examples of the hard work of credit unions and their members statewide who are giving back to their local communities this year. "Our credit unions work hard to invest in the health and well being of the communities they serve throughout the year," said NC Credit Union League President/CEO John Radebaugh. "Their efforts throughout the year fulfill the Seventh Cooperative Principle. As the year draws to a close, it's both heartwarming and remarkable to see how credit unions are working to bring joy and comfort to those in need." 

State Employees’ Credit Union’s (SECU’s) FAT CAT youth mascot and friends recently made a very special appearance at SECU Family House at UNC Hospitals, thanks to SECU’s Elon branch and the wonderful talents of Credit Union member Becky Bowling.  A FAT CAT themed quilt with various squares of images depicting FAT CAT and his friends Bonnie Bluebird and Lenny Lizard was presented to SECU Family House, to be hung in the Children’s Room at the House.  Local SECU youth in Elon colored the quilt squares and Ms. Bowling, mother of SECU Elon branch Vice President Windy Young, put the quilt together.

Located in Chapel Hill, NC, SECU Family House at UNC Hospitals provides housing, healing, and hope to seriously ill adult patients and families of patients who are being treated at UNC Hospitals.  Since 2009, SECU Family House has provided guest stays to more than 2,200 patients/patient families from 98 of North Carolina’s 100 counties.

Janet Hudgens, Director of Marketing & Volunteers at SECU Family House, commented, “Hanging the colorful FAT CAT quilt in the Children’s Room at SECU Family House will add a bright glow for the children who come to play while their family members are undergoing treatment at UNC Hospitals.”

Ms. Bowling responded, “It’s always a privilege to be asked to make something that you love doing anyway.  And, it’s always fun to work with children and their creativity.  Quilts give not only warmth, but comfort as well.  They are an expression of love and caring, which is exactly why SECU Family House was built.  I truly feel special being a part of this project.”

Local Government Federal Credit Union (LGFCU) proudly announces the addition of five new advisory council members to five of its 28 councils across the state.

The new appointments are an integral part of LGFCU’s volunteer-driven initiative not only to educate people on the benefits of credit union membership, but also to relay feedback to the board of directors regarding available/potentially available products and services, delivery of service and member needs.

Advisory council members, who represent the philosophical character of the credit union and contribute their time without compensation, function as LGFCU’s eyes and ears throughout the state, serving as liaisons between credit union members and non-members and LGFCU management.

November’s appointees are:

Coastal Plain
Timmy King, City of Clinton Police Department, Operations Commander

Foothills
Terry DePoyster, McDowell County Facility Maintenance, Maintenance Director

Lake Hickory
Sergeant Jason Owens, Rowan County Sheriff’s Office, Criminal Investigation Supervisor

Research Triangle
Alice Sharpe, Durham County Library, Development Officer

Western Triangle
Sylvia Johnson, Caswell County, GIS Coordinator

Karen Sigmon-Smith, MPH, RHEd, Supervisor, Community Screenings (Forsyth Medical Center Heart & Wellness) shares details of the partnership with Allegacy employees.

Novant Health & Wellness Coach Holly Martin meets with a small group of Allegacy employees.

Through the new partnership with Forsyth Medical Center and Novant, the most significant additions to the program include:

• Biometric Screenings: a benchmark checkup to measure blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels.  Confidential results are
  explained by a personal health and wellness coach.
• On-Site Wellness Coach: to help with goal setting and results tracking.
• "Fast Pass": a dedicated phone number for Allegacy employees and their immediate families as well as same-day access to Winston-Salem Health Care.

"Allegacy's proactive and comprehensive approach to wellness is the sign of a great employer who understands the value of investing in the health of its employees," said Miles Atkins, corporate support manager for Novant Health. "We look forward to helping Allegacy employees achieve their personal health and wellness goals."

At its recent Annual Membership Meeting held in Greensboro, NC, State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) honored three Credit Union volunteers for their long-term service and dedication to the membership.  Having served on either SECU’s Loan Review Committee or local Advisory Boards, Garland Beddard of Winterville, Gene Curtis of Raleigh and Donald Kelsey of Greensboro have dedicated a combined ninety years of service to their fellow members.  During the Annual Meeting, SECU Board of Directors’ Chairman Jim Barber presented a Board Resolution to each honoree highlighting their dedication.

In his presentation, Mr. Barber stated, “Mr. Beddard’s, Mr. Curtis’ and Mr. Kelsey’s commitment and service to State Employees’ Credit Union and their fellow members has been a remarkable example of ‘People Helping People’ and the Credit Union expresses its sincere gratitude.  These individuals have been steadfast advocates for SECU and they have remained loyal to serving the needs of the membership through their mission of service.”

Garland Beddard has served SECU as an Advisory Board member in the Greenville area for over 39 years, making a difference in the lives of members through his continual efforts to recognize the financial needs of his fellow members.  He noted, “Asking the member-owners what needs to be done has been a real plus for State Employees’ Credit Union.  The Advisory Board is like the right arm to SECU because the Credit Union actually wants the feedback.”

Serving on either the Loan Review Committee or an Advisory Board in Raleigh for the past 25 years, Gene Curtis has bettered the lives of members by giving thoughtful consideration to member loan appeals and granting all members an equal opportunity to succeed financially.  Mr. Curtis remarked, “I believe the Advisory Board and the Loan Review Committee have provided input so that SECU can make changes and become amenable to the members of the Credit Union.  I think being a volunteer in a cooperative is a way that we can help…‘People Helping People’ is a very positive thing.”

For over 25 years, Donald Kelsey has served as an Advisory Board member in Greensboro, NC.  He has been influential with the acquisition of property, bringing additional branches to the Greensboro area in order the serve the best interests of the community.  Mr. Kelsey commented, “The Credit Union is still interested in helping people…that hasn’t changed, and SECU may be helping even more so now.  It gives you a very positive feeling if you help somebody and it just stays with you.  When you’re helping others, you’re also helping yourself.”

State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) staff and member volunteers gathered in Raleigh on Saturday, November 6th for a massive packing effort to prepare 5,000 holiday gift boxes for North Carolina National Guard and other NC based military soldiers deployed overseas.  With 180 people on hand, the boxes were filled in just a couple of hours and a US Postal Service eighteen-wheeler arrived to take the boxes for delivery.

The gift boxes were packed with a wide variety of travel size items including dental supplies, soap, shampoo, first aid items, travel games, socks and food.  These items were collected in all 233 SECU branches statewide, and many local schools and State Agencies also helped with collection efforts.  Monetary donations were also accepted to help with the shipping costs.

Steve Sheppard, SECU’s Raleigh-NCSU Advisory Board member, commented, “I would like to personally thank SECU for the Support the Troops Campaign.  I was mobilized for two tours of duty for Iraqi Freedom as a Navy Reservist serving with the US Army.  We were 750 strong but always looked forward to our mail and especially the care packages.  Many items in the boxes were unobtainable at our bases.  The long days and poor conditions were made better by the magical boxes and the thought that someone at home cared.”

Leigh Brady, Senior Vice President-SECU Education Services, added, “The idea behind this campaign began with a holiday stocking project for the troops, initiated by SECU’s Roanoke Rapids branch a number of years ago.  SECU employee Gayle Pigford led the effort and numerous SECU area branches joined to collect over 1,000 stockings for the troops in 2009 alone, as part of the national Boatsie’s Boxes program.  When SECU decided to initiate a statewide campaign, we had no idea that the volume of donations and volunteers would be so tremendous.  We are elated with the results.”

SECU Board of Director Vice Chairman McKinley Wooten assisted with the November 6th effort and noted, “State Employees’ Credit Union, led by its ‘People Helping People’ philosophy, feels strongly about efforts to support the troops.   We are so thankful to each and every person who contributed items, money and time to ensure that our deployed soldiers will receive a touch of home this holiday season, as they continue to serve and protect our great Country.”

Latino Community Credit Union (LCCU) has been recognized with several awards for its outstanding efforts to improve the financial condition of the Latino community through affordable and accessible financial services and education.  The Credit Union National Association (CUNA) has recognized LCCU with the Community Credit Union of the Year award for credit unions under $250 MM in assets as well as the second place for the national Dora Maxwell award for social responsibility for credit unions between $50 and $100 MM in assets.  LCCU also received a Diamante award from Diamante Inc. for the North Carolina-based business making the most significant contributions to the Hispanic Community.

LCCU has become one of the fastest growing credit unions in the United States and a model for other financial institutions serving low-income and unbanked communities.  From 2007 to 2010, LCCU doubled its size from 5 to 10 branches to reach more communities in need.  At the same time, LCCU has increased the number of products and services it offers to cover a wider range of member needs. LCCU offers low-cost savings and transaction accounts, remittance services, consumer loans, such as credit-builder loans, auto, small business products, and mortgages.

CUNA’s Community Credit Union of the Year Award honors community credit unions that best exemplify the principles of the credit union movement while acting as a positive influence in the field of service and the Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Award recognizes Latino Credit Union’s groundbreaking financial education program targeted to Latino immigrants.  These two awards reflect LCCU’s philosophy of combining financial literacy with affordable and accessible financial products and services in order to promote financial capacity and wealth building in the Latino community.  

 “From its earliest days, Latino Community Credit Union has been a national model for providing financial services to the Latino and immigrant populations. The secret of their success has been and continues to be serving their members well. Their commitment to helping members build wealth by promoting savings, home ownership and financial education is second-to-none. The League and credit unions across North Carolina extend our congratulations to Latino CCU as they receive these well-deserved awards,” says John Radebaugh, President/CEO of the NC Credit Union League.

The Diamante award for best business serving Latinos in North Carolina highlights LCCU’s mission driven and financially sustainable model. As Rafael Osuba, President of Diamante Inc. says: “Over the Past 10 Years, the Latino Credit Union has helped thousands of Hispanic/ Latinos Living in North Carolina protect their families by providing banking solutions that create ownership, instill pride, dignity, confidence, and economic opportunity.  They serve as a great role model for other institutions and businesses, demonstrating the success that can be achieved simply by conducting solid business and customer service practices.” 

Local Government Federal Credit Union (LGFCU) proudly announces the addition of two new advisory council members to two of its 28 councils across the state.

The new appointments are an integral part of LGFCU’s volunteer-driven initiative not only to educate people on the benefits of credit union membership, but also to relay feedback to the board of directors regarding available/potentially available products and services, delivery of service and member needs.

Advisory council members, who represent the philosophical character of the credit union and contribute their time without compensation, function as LGFCU’s eyes and ears throughout the state, serving as liaisons between credit union members and non-members and LGFCU management.

October’s appointees are:

Hatteras
Melissa D’Ambra, Outer Banks Hospital, MRI Technician

Western Mountain
Sarah Zell, Snowbird Mountain Lodge, Executive Chef

As District 3, Class C director, Maurice Smith will represent 43 credit unions across Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee, each with 77,000 members or more. His three-year term begins on February 28, 2011.

As District 3, Class C director, Smith will represent 43 credit unions across Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee, each with 77,000 members or more. His three-year term begins on February 28, 2011.

“Maurice is an exceptionally gifted credit union leader whose impact is widely felt in the NC credit union movement,” says NC Credit Union League President/CEO John Radebaugh. “In addition to serving on the NC Credit Union League and Carolinas Credit Union Foundation boards, he leads one of the fastest growing, dynamic and progressive credit unions in the state. The League congratulates Maurice on his election to the CUNA board, and we are grateful that tremendously talented leaders like Maurice volunteer to serve the national credit union movement.”

A 31-year veteran of the Credit Union Movement, Smith started his career at State Employees’ Credit Union in 1979. He joined LGFCU in 1992 as the executive vice president, and was promoted to president in 1999.

Smith received his Bachelors of Science in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington in 1979, and later earned a Juris Doctorate from the N.C. Central University School of Law in 2005. Smith is licensed to practice law in North Carolina and the District of Columbia. He also possesses a N.C. Real Estate Brokers License, Certified Credit Union Executive designation, and has attended several leading management and marketing schools.

To promote increased access to capital for small business lending in this sector of the community, the N.C. Minority Support Center (The Support Center) and the N.C. Indian Economic Development Initiative (NCIEDI) have joined forces to reach the approximately 6,000 American Indian business owners in North Carolina.

As part of the partnership, The Support Center will work with its affiliate credit union, Generations Community Credit Union (GCCU) using available funding from its State Economic Development loan programs and other related programs to capture the economic opportunities that exist in the Indian community.

"I am especially pleased with this significant partnership with the N.C. Indian Economic Development Initiative to extend access to capital to this sector of our state which has such a rich heritage,” said Lenwood V. Long, Sr. President of The Support Center.  “This agreement mirrors the increased efforts of The Support Center to broaden its outreach to all underserved small business owners as well as those who dream of ownership, to ensure that they have an opportunity for resources to be viable entrepreneurs.

According to a U.S. Census Bureau report, the number of American Indian- and Alaska Native-owned businesses in the United States totaled 237,386 in 2007, up 17.9 percent from 2002; total receipts of these businesses were $34.5 billion, up 28.3 percent from 2002. In 2007, 30.5 percent of American Indian- and Alaska Native-owned businesses were in construction, repair and maintenance, and personal and laundry services. For those businesses in North Carolina, the partnership between The Support Center and NCIEDI will help fill the need for access to capital and business resources that is lacking in the American Indian business community.

“The North Carolina Indian Economic Development Initiative is pleased and excited about our collaboration with the NC Minority Support Center, working with our North Carolina American Indian business clientele, helping them with their capital and financial services needs,” says W. A Tony Hayes, CEO of the North Carolina Indian Economic Development Initiative. “This is a critical first step in supporting worthy American Indian businesses create more opportunities and jobs across the state. We look forward to our progressive partnership together on behalf of NC American Indian business and entrepreneurship.”
 
In addition to technical assistance, The Support Center will analyze loan requests. Generations CCU, will serve as the lender, providing the loan origination, processing and closing for each new business applicant.

While other financial institutions tighten lending standards and make up for low borrowing income by creating other fees, one local credit union gives their members some financial relief just in time for the holidays. Members Credit Union (MCU) announced in October that its Holiday Skip-a-Pay program was approved by their democratically elected board of directors. The program allows members to extend either their November or December due date on any non-mortgage related loan, fee-free, by one month.

"Due to a tough economy, loan applications have been down at Members Credit Union," explained Jack Braswell, CEO/President at MCU. "Since we don’t need cash to loan to the membership due to these low loan application times, we were able to allow that cash flow to be in the member’s pockets rather than Members Credit Union’s. This enabled the membership to have more money to spend during the holiday season."

Over $1.5 Million was extended back to MCU’s membership through the Holiday Skip-a-Pay program in 2008 and 2009 combined. Even though this particular program is limited to the months of November and December, MCU regularly helps members on a case-by-case basis with loan modifications.

Durham middle school students are doing their part to close America's financial literacy deficit -- one quarter at a time. About 200 students at the Rogers Herr Middle School will kick off an innovative savings challenge on Friday, Oct. 29, with a pep rally, visit from City Councilman Farad Ali and Derwin Dubose from Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton’s office. Last year, the winning students in the year-long classroom project received U.S. savings bonds, participated in a financial forum with the Charlotte Bobcats and toured Johnson C. Smith University.

"The Support Center is committed to working with schools to promote financial wellness among our youth," said Lenwood V. Long, Sr, president of the N.C. Minority Support Center, which is sponsoring the program in Durham.  "We strive to provide the opportunity for all people to learn to become financially responsibility to build personal."

The project is part of a national effort among credit unions to help young people learn the basics of home finance. The Credit Union National Association reported that nearly 140,000 students deposited $26.5 million into their saving accounts last year during the national Youth Savings Challenge — with 10,006 of these new accounts.

"Learning to save is not enough," said Kimberly Knox of the N.C. Minority Support Center. "Budgeting and money management are also crucial lessons in order to give our youth a real chance to successfully avert the financial turbulence that many adults are experiencing today."

The Classroom Savings Challenge, which is an extension of an in-school curriculum called the Youth Financial Education Program, will encourage young people throughout the Durham School System to save their money by making daily or weekly deposits into their savings jar during class. In-classroom instruction with real-life examples about budgeting, investing and household expense will accompany the savings challenge as well as a class project. Experts say that one of the lessons of the Great Recession is that enough Americans know enough about saving, investing and how to use credit.

For more information on the 2010 YFE Savings Challenge, contact Kimberly Knox at 919.530.1683 or kknox@ncmsc.org.

Members Credit Union (MCU) raised $10,500 for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s (JDRF) Walk to Cure Diabetes. In the four years MCU has participated in this event the credit union has amassed nearly $37,500 in donations.

Source: U.S. Department of the Treasury, Financial Management Service

Gain recognition from the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Go Direct campaign by participating in its third installment of the Go Direct Community Ambassadors Program. Registration is now open and it’s free to participate! The program, which runs from October 2010 through March 2011, identifies and officially recognizes community- and medium-sized financial institution partners that go the extra mile to promote direct deposit to senior citizens, people with disabilities, veterans and others who still receive federal benefits by paper check. All financial institutions with fewer than 100 branches are invited to register online by visiting the Partners section of www.GoDirect.org.

The Go Direct Community Ambassadors Program is simple to implement and provides a flexible way to demonstrate a commitment to your community’s financial health. To be recognized as a Go Direct Community Ambassador, your financial institution must implement at least two Go Direct campaign activities between October 2010 and March 2011. Financial institutions that successfully participate in the Community Ambassadors Program will receive a letter of recognition and certificate from the Treasury Department’s Go Direct campaign.

Participation provides benefits to your financial institution and your community. You will:

• Gain recognition from the Treasury Department’s Go Direct campaign for your efforts.
• Underscore your commitment to community service.
• Increase loyalty and satisfaction among your customers or members by helping them simplify their lives, protect their identity and gain more control over their money.
• Learn how your success in driving direct deposit compares with your industry peers.
• Reduce your amount of paper-based transactions.
• Receive a web banner and suggested newsletter copy you can use to announce your recognition as a 2010/2011 Go Direct Community Ambassador to your staff, customers or members.

Thanks in large part to the efforts of more than 1,800 partners – financial institutions and community-based organizations – the Go Direct campaign has helped more than 4 million Americans make the switch from paper checks to direct deposit for their federal benefit payments. Through participation in the Community Ambassadors program, your financial institution can help keep this momentum going.

Participants in the Community Ambassadors Program will have access to a variety of free Go Direct materials for promoting the benefits of direct deposit. For more information about the Community Ambassadors Program or the Go Direct campaign, call (952) 346-6055, or visit www.GoDirect.org.

State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) welcomed over 1,000 member-owners for its 2010 Annual Meeting held October 12th in Greensboro, North Carolina. The meeting featured a two-part format beginning with a luncheon and educational workshops for SECU Advisory Board and Loan Review Committee volunteers. Guest speaker Patrick Adams, President of St. Louis Community Credit Union, empowered luncheon attendees, and volunteer educational sessions highlighted a variety of topics including fraud prevention, SECU services provided to members at various life stages, and newer SECU products and initiatives to combat overdrafts. The day concluded with the General Membership Meeting for all SECU members, with Board of Director’s Chair Jim Barber presiding over the event. During the General Meeting, Mr. Barber presented an overview of the Credit Union’s fiscal health and stability, along with updates on previous and current year initiatives.

In his summary, Mr. Barber noted, "With the ongoing economic crisis, members are looking to do business with an institution on which they can trust and depend --- folks that put members first! That’s why SECU’s unique Credit Union model is so successful in today’s financial marketplace. With fair treatment of members, continued financial stability, low-cost services, a desire to help others and tremendous branch convenience, SECU truly is serving all of North Carolina!"

Rutherfordton Advisory Board member Danita Bailey was a first time Annual Meeting attendee. She commented, "I thoroughly enjoyed the day. I thought it was very informative and this knowledge will definitely help Advisory Board members when we are encouraging people to take part as a member of SECU."

Also attending for the first time was Bill Dowdy, Raleigh-Six Forks Road Advisory Board member. He added, "I found the Annual Meeting to be one of the most enjoyable and informative events I have ever attended. The facility was outstanding, the speakers were great and the material was most beneficial."

During the meeting, SECU Foundation Chair Shirley Bell also provided a brief summary of the SECU Foundation Chairman’s Report, highlighting numerous Foundation initiatives from the past fiscal year. A video pictorial featuring the statewide projects of the member-funded Foundation was also presented to attendees. Ms. Bell remarked, "Through the SECU Foundation, SECU members collectively invest in the future of North Carolina. Whether in the field of education, housing, health or human services, large-scale projects are being accomplished with much enthusiasm and excitement."

Six one hundredths of one percent – .06% – it’s a low number which makes a big difference for State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) members. Why? It’s the minimal increase the Credit Union has experienced in the number of foreclosures compared to total mortgage loans over the past five years. Even as the economy in North Carolina and the US continues to suffer, SECU has managed to keep member foreclosures low due to its member-friendly Mortgage Assistance Program (MAP) – an initiative that has already helped over 7,000 North Carolina families remain in their homes! And, just for the record, SECU originates and services all its mortgage loans, so the paperwork is accurate, the transfers of ownership are properly recorded, and the payment processing and recordkeeping is timely. SECU members expect the Credit Union not only to always "Do the Right Thing," they expect SECU to "Do the Thing Right" too!

Implemented in early 2009, MAP was created to assist members facing job loss or a reduction in work hours, providing foreclosure prevention options which include mortgage extensions, modifications, refinances and partial payment alternatives. Budgeting, financial counseling and overall debt restructuring are also included as part of the comprehensive MAP initiative. Proof of the program’s success was noted as early as year-end 2009, when just 179 SECU foreclosures were filed for the year out of 121,625 loans in the Credit Union mortgage portfolio. The overall SECU foreclosure ratio is less than two tenths of 1% of mortgages outstanding. The low foreclosure trend at SECU also continues in the current year, as staff members remain committed to helping members develop workout plans for any delinquent mortgages.

Mark Pearce, former Chief Deputy Commissioner of Banks in NC and recently announced Director of the FDIC’s newly-created Division of Depositor and Consumer Protection, spearheaded North Carolina’s home foreclosure prevention efforts that have helped more than 14,000 homeowners in the State since October 2008. SECU was an early participant in the NC foreclosure prevention effort through its financial support of the Fight NC Foreclosure media campaign. This support of the media campaign, combined with the Credit Union’s aggressive Mortgage Assistance Program initiative, garnered the following remarks from the current Director of the State Home Foreclosure Prevention Project in North Carolina, Will Corbett. Mr. Corbett remarks, "SECU’s generous support has enabled us to inform homeowners of free resources to provide them with options to avoid foreclosure."

Spencer Scarboro, Senior Vice President of Mortgage Lending, adds, "State Employees’ Credit Union always strives to put the interests of its members first. MAP is an excellent example of putting this member-focused approach into practice. Foreclosure is never a quick answer at our Credit Union. "Bad things" do happen to good people! That’s why SECU is committed to exhausting every possible option to keep members in their homes and foreclosures at a minimum. It is the right thing to do for the member – prudent and compassionate – and the financially responsible course for their credit union cooperative."

The US Department of the Treasury’s Financial Management Service recently announced State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) was among six financial institutions named as a 2010 Go Direct® Champion. The recognition came for the Credit Union’s role in encouraging direct deposit among federal benefit check recipients. The Treasury Department’s national Go Direct campaign has helped more than 4 million Social Security and other federal benefit check recipients switch to direct deposit since its launch in 2005. Currently in its third year of participation in the Go Direct campaign, SECU has been recognized as a Champion for the past two years.

Financial institutions with a minimum of 100 branches were eligible to participate in the 2010 Go Direct Champions program, and a total of 19 organizations representing more than 25,000 branches nationwide joined in the campaign. Programs were tracked for increases in Social Security and Supplemental Security Income ACH payments over an eight-month period.

On hand to accept the Go Direct Award at a ceremony in Washington, DC was Sandra Jones, SECU Vice President of Member Education. Ms. Jones comments, "Direct deposit is a safe and convenient way for federal benefit recipients to receive their payments. Not only does it eliminate the risk of lost or stolen checks, but it provides members access to their funds in a timely manner. SECU appreciates the increased level of promotion that its staff members have provided for direct deposit and is thrilled that the efforts have been recognized by the US Treasury."

David A. Lebryk, Commissioner of the Treasury Department’s Financial Management Service, adds, "As one of the six Go Direct Champions honored in 2010, SECU has played an essential role in motivating its senior members, people with disabilities and other federal benefit recipients to switch from checks to safer, easier direct deposit. We applaud their efforts."

As the second North Carolina hospitality house project funded in part by the SECU Foundation, the Family House in Winston-Salem is slated to open in the fall of 2011, with plans to serve more than 2,000 families annually from all parts of North Carolina.

Providing a 45-room facility on almost 9 acres in close proximity to North Carolina Baptist Hospital and Forsyth Medical Center, SECU Family House will offer affordable and comfortable lodging for families of out-of-town adult patients being treated at the medical centers. Another SECU Family House facility is located in Chapel Hill near UNC Hospitals.

Speaking on the impact of this donation from State Employees’ Credit Union members, Ms. Bell comments, "Our Credit Union’s philosophy is ‘People Helping People’ and through the SECU Foundation, Credit Union members can collectively and cooperatively solve big problems in our communities. Our Foundation is excited to partner with the Richard J. Reynolds, III and Marie M. Reynolds Foundation and the community supporters in Winston-Salem to make SECU Family House a reality in this area of the State."

Kathy Carr, Executive Director of Hospital Hospitality House of Winston-Salem, adds, "There are over 400 families of adult inpatients who are traveling here daily and have no affordable options for lodging. Many family members will end up camping out in waiting areas or driving long distances each day. The SECU Family House will be more than just a place to stay for these folks. Our staff and volunteers will provide a caring family atmosphere and allow a much-needed time of rest for them during these uncertain times. We are so grateful to have the unwavering support for this much-needed

Local Government Federal Credit Union (LGFCU) proudly announces the addition of nine new advisory council members to five of its 28 councils across the state.

The new appointments are an integral part of LGFCU’s volunteer-driven initiative not only to educate people on the benefits of credit union membership, but also to relay feedback to the board of directors regarding available/potentially available products and services, delivery of service and member needs.

Advisory council members, who represent the philosophical character of the credit union and contribute their time without compensation, function as LGFCU’s eyes and ears throughout the state, serving as liaisons between credit union members and non-members and LGFCU management.

September’s appointees are:

Albemarle Sound
Jean Bunch, Chowan Hospital, RN/Health Educator/Director of Team Tobacco Use Prevention
Darlene Carter, Town of Edenton, Account Clerk II

Central Coast
Amy Burdulis, Carolina East Medical Center, Therapy Manager

Eastern Triangle
Ti Morrill, Town of Lillington, Parks and Recreation Assistant Director

Roanoke River
Ginny Orvedahl, Town of Halifax, Library System Director
Martin Todd, Bertie-Martin Regional Jail, Sergeant
David Marshall, City of Roanoke Rapids Fire Department, Lieutenant

Tar River
Gordon Deno, Wilson County, Emergency Management Director
Grant Goings, City of Wilson, City Manager

Charlotte & Henry Fullbright pose with FAT CAT after the presentation at Joyner Elementary School.

The Joyner class included Charlotte Fullbright, who are the children of Attorney Amy Fullbright, who is NCCUL's state lobbyist.

FAT CAT regularly appears in schools to introduce young people to basic financial topics. In addition to in person appearances, FAT CAT is backed up by a fun and engaging web site (www.cufatcats.org) as well as educational work books (FAT CAT Smart Money).

In addition to the economics presentation, FAT CAT also presents information on the history of money and credit unions, and what it takes to work at a credit union.

State Employees' Credit Union EVP Sue Douglas will remain as vice chair of the CUNA Operations, Sales & Service (OpSS) Council in the upcoming year. Douglas was one of several members named to the executive committee and officers for OpSS Council during its 13th annual conference held September 29 - October 2, 2010 in Las Vegas.

The CUNA Operations, Sales, and Service (OpSS) Council is a member-led partnership of operations, sales, and service professionals dedicated to providing education, leadership, networking support, professional development tools, and expertise to its members in order to shape the enhancement of the role and diversity of operations in the credit union industry. The CUNA OpSS Council is one of the six organizations that make up the CUNA Councils, a network of more than 4,850 credit union professionals.

Jennifer Lehn, EVP, Numerica CU, Spokane Valley, Wash.remains the chair of the council in the upcoming year. In addition to Lehn & Douglas, two new members were elected for three year terms:

• Patsy Gayda, director of branch operations, Spokane Teachers CU, Spokane, Wash.
• Becky Davis, vice president, branch operations, Delta Community CU, Atlanta, Ga.

Steve Langley, vice president, sales/service/training, Travis CU, Vacaville, Calif. was elected to the committee after being appointed earlier this year. Patti Dixon, VP service centers, Baxter CU, Vernon Hills, Ill. chose not to run for re-election and stepped down from the committee.

The CUNA OpSS Council executive committee also includes:

• Debbie Baumann, vice president operations/COO, Mazuma CU, Kansas City, Mo. remains as the secretary/treasury.
• Dave Tate, vice president branch operations for Anheuser-Busch Employees’ CU in St. Louis, Mo
• Tina McMinn, vice president, operations, Stanford Federal Credit Union, Palo Alto, Calif.
• Robb Keith, SVP – retail services, Members 1st FCU, Mechanicsburg, Pa.
• Lucy Ito, SVP growth/development, California/Nevada CU Leagues, Ontario, Calif.

The Support Center is delighted to announce that it received $15,000 in funding support from Bank of America to provide technical assistance trainings to its affiliate credit unions.  The primary focus of the trainings is to strengthen staff capacity at the affiliate credit unions to meet the business lending needs of their members in underserved communities across the state.  
 
The Support Center's Small Business Training Initiative is designed to create opportunities for its affiliates to increase their level of service to small businesses. The upcoming trainings will offer continuing educational opportunities and provide access to resources that will improve their existing business lending services and products.  "The training program brings an excellent opportunity for us to broaden our capacity and that of our credit union affiliates by giving them additional tools to serve their members," says Roberta McCullough, Financial Services Director of The Support Center. "We will continue to foster economic development, through our credit unions across the state, reaching small business owners in need of access to capital."

"We appreciate Bank of America's support of our small business lending program," says Lenwood V. Long, Sr., President of The Support Center. "Funding partnerships are essential to alleviating the obstacles that limit entrepreneurs from consistently contributing to the economic base in their community, especially in rural, distressed and underserved communities."

The Support Center will implement the business lending trainings later this fall. To learn more about The Support Center and its six affiliate community development credit unions, visit www.ncmsc.org.     

Generations Community Credit Union is pleased to announce that Armeer Kenchen has recently been named its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Kenchen’s experience spans almost two decades in community development finance and credit union management.  Prior to coming to Generations, Armeer spent ten years as Executive Vice President with Self-Help, a community development financial institution (CDFI), which has invested more than $5 billion in financing to 62,000 families, businesses, and individuals.

In greeting members at the credit union's 8th Annual Meeting held on September 25, Kenchen said, "I am excited about our future as we work with our members to usher in a greater level of service, access, and accountability. In particular, I want to achieve a better understanding of the needs of our membership.  In doing so, we can do a better job of aligning our products and services with the needs of the members."  

As CEO, Kenchen will work to increase the impact Generations is having in each local community.  "It’s important for us to become an even stronger partner as we expand our reach throughout the community", he says.  "We are excited about what the future brings us as we work together to improve the lives of our members and their communities."

The Capital Access Network is Governor Beverly Perdue’s initiative to increase government guaranteed lending to small businesses across North Carolina. The Commissioner for Small Business and the Commissioner of Banks are working together on this initiative and have introduced a state-wide network of 65 business advisors who are available to assist your bank or credit union’s clients with financing issues. Detailed information about this initiative can be found at http://CANisLending.com.

Credit Union employees may refer any small or mid-sized business owner to a local business advisor through the Department of Commerce’s Business Link North Carolina (BLNC) call center at 1-800-228-8443, or help@CANisLending.com. The BLNC staff will conduct an initial interview, provide some guidance on the documentation the business owner will need to support their loan application, and refer them to a local business advisor. The business advisor will then work face-to-face with the business owner to improve their loan application and understanding of eligibility requirements for all types of debt financing, including debt guaranteed by the SBA and USDA.

If your credit union refers a client to one of the business advisors for assistance in preparing a loan package, the advisors have agreed to return that client to your institution for loan submission.  The counseling services of these advisors are confidential and provided at no cost.

The business advisors are members of three state and federally-funded organizations: the Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC), the Small Business Center Network (SBCN) and SCORE. Each business advisor chosen to take part in this initiative has significant experience with the loan application process and small business financing.

In addition to financial counseling, these business advisors offer operational and strategic planning that may be of particular interest to business owners struggling to make payments on existing debt. Please do not hesitate to refer existing clients to these organizations for assistance. For more information about this network of advisors, call BLNC at 1-800-228-8443, or Christy Raulli in the Office of the State Commissioner for Small Business at (919) 715-7272.

This truck is criss-crossing the state collecting manufactured items from NC. These items will be displayed at the Legislative Building in Raleigh at a rally on Friday, October 1st.

Although it was still early in the tour when the truck arrived in Fletcher, many NC made goods were already on display.

ArvinMeritor has become the world's largest independent manufacturer of commercial vehicle axles and offers the widest range of axle capacities and options in the industry. The Fletcher Facility employs around 550 people and is a huge asset to the Fletcher area. Attendees were allowed to enter the trailer and look at the "Made in NC" goods during the program. Arvin Meritor and the other manufacturers in attendance were recognized for what they make and tours of the facility were given by plant employees.

State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) recently hosted an educational event for its Loan Review Committee volunteers who serve the Credit Union throughout the State. The meeting featured a presentation from Martin Eakes, CEO of Self-Help/Center For Responsible Lending. Other noted speakers included Tami Hinton, Consumer Affairs Director with the North Carolina Commissioner of Banks office and Mary Reca Todd, Manager of Supportive Housing Strategic Investment with the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency, along with several SECU representatives. With nearly 60 volunteers in attendance, the meeting provided valuable information on key lending topics including foreclosure prevention, mortgage assistance, and reverse mortgages.

Welcoming his fellow volunteers was Jim Barber, Chairman of SECU’s Board of Directors. Mr. Barber stated, "Educational events such as the Loan Review Committee Annual Meeting provide an opportunity for our volunteers to network with other members serving SECU, as well as stay current on lending issues that affect our cooperative. We hope the attendees found the sessions beneficial and insightful."

2009-2010 Loan Review Committee Chair Michael Clements added, "Loan Review Committee members serve a valued role at State Employees’ Credit Union by providing members with a peer review and/or loan appeals process. While our Committee members from all across the State appreciate the fellowship at such events, the educational sessions are extremely useful in helping us to serve our fellow members more effectively."

A true representation of a cooperative in which members are making the final loan decisions, SECU Loan Review Committees (LRCs) are comprised of up to eight members who meet periodically to review loan applications that have been denied or are under appeal by a member. LRCs offer a decentralized, member-controlled decision and appeals process for member-owners of the Credit Union. Placed in thirteen regions throughout North Carolina, LRCs help ensure that members always have a chance for a "second opinion" on a loan and an opportunity to appeal a branch lending decision. In keeping with SECU lending practices, all applications are evaluated fairly, balancing the interests of individual members with the interests of the membership.

Local Government Federal Credit Union (LGFCU) proudly announces the addition of 15 new advisory council members to 10 of its 28 councils across the state.

The new appointments are an integral part of LGFCU’s volunteer-driven initiative not only to educate people on the benefits of credit union membership, but also to relay feedback to the board of directors regarding available/potentially available products and services, delivery of service and member needs.

Advisory council members, who represent the philosophical character of the credit union and contribute their time without compensation, function as LGFCU’s eyes and ears throughout the state, serving as liaisons between credit union members and non-members and LGFCU management.

August’s appointees are:

Albemarle Sound
Walter Meads, Pasquotank County, Assistant Director of Pasquotank-Camden EMS

Central Piedmont
Brian Matthews, Town of Stallings, Town Manager

Coastal Plain
Britt Vinson, City of Jacksonville, Benefits Specialist

Foothills
Randy Page, Town of Boiling Springs Police Department, Chief
Zach Trogdon, Town of Boiling Springs, Town Manager

Hatteras
Sally DeFosse, Dare County, Assistant Finance Director
Chuck Early, Jr., Dare County, Critical Care Paramedic
Fred Featherstone, Dare County, Building Inspector

Mecklenburg
Vickie Brock, Town of Huntersville, Human Resources Director
Craig Cupil, Carolinas Healthcare System, Environmental Health and Safety Manager

Nantahala Forest
David Breedlove, Swain County, Emergency Services Director

Southern Mountain
Mike Vesely, City of Hendersonville Police Department, Lieutenant

Western Piedmont
Alyssa Flores
James McKinnie, Jr., Volvo Information Technology of North America, Change Manager

Western Sandhills
Katrina Tatum, Town of Mount Gilead, Town Manager
 
LGFCU is also proud to announce the addition of Noe’l Walker of Winston-Salem to its Youth Advisory Council, Our Generation—Speakin’ Up. This group, which formed in February of 2008, comprises North Carolina middle and high school students. Now with 16 members, this group continues be instrumental in assisting the credit union in the development of a new generation of products and services for children, teens and young adults.

Nearly 300 managers of State Employees’ Credit Union’s (SECU’s) branches and operations departments recently participated in the Nation’s largest ever Statement of Support signing for the Employer Support of The Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Program. The signing, which took place at the Credit Union’s Annual Managers’ Meeting, showed SECU’s continuing commitment to their employees serving in the military. Framed Statements of Support will hang in each SECU branch and department throughout North Carolina.

The Statement of Support Program is at the heart of ESGR’s national effort to gain and maintain employer support for reservists, by developing employers into advocates for employee participation in the military. For its employee-reservists, the Credit Union offers one week paid military leave annually, provides a pay differential when an employee is deployed and keeps the benefits of the soldiers active when they are mobilized. In addition, SECU personnel go "above & beyond" to support their deployed co-workers by sending care packages and letters, as well as assisting family members left behind during deployment.

Tremendous support was experienced first-hand by Cathy Baker, a National Guard Reservist and Financial Services Officer in SECU’s Benson branch, when she was recently deployed. Cathy comments, "I couldn’t have asked for a better employer or Supervisor (Elizabeth Fair) while being deployed thousands of miles away. The Credit Union was very helpful and positive while preparing me for my 15-month tour to Iraq. They went over and beyond what they were required to do by law. Months before I arrived home, Elizabeth took it upon herself to make sure that the two most important people in my life, my sons, were taken care of and ready for me to come home. She unselfishly supported me through the entire deployment. It was important to her to have my boys there, along with herself, to surprise me when I returned home. I arrived to posters, flowers, flags, warm faces and BIG hugs. I felt truly missed and an important member of the team here at the Benson branch. SECU should be applauded for all the service and guidance they gave me. The Credit Union understood the anxiety, the loneliness; the Credit Union really cared."

"North Carolina is blessed with many companies that support our Guard and Reservists/employees.  However, none support their employees serving our country more than State Employees’ Credit Union.  It is a part of their culture starting with the leadership of their Board and flows throughout the organization.  State Employees’ Credit Union truly goes "above and beyond" in their support," states Darrell Johnson, ESGR Executive Director, NC Committee.

Brigadier General Iwan Clontz of the National Guard says, "State Employees’ Credit Union continually demonstrates a strong commitment to the North Carolina National Guard and to SECU employee reservists. The organization’s statewide signing of ESGR’s Statement of Support is further affirmation of their commitment to help those who serve our Country. This high level of support is critical to the soldiers and their families, as it provides peace of mind when a soldier is deployed. We appreciate the Credit Union and all that it does for our service men and women."

Jim Barber, Chair of SECU’s Board of Directors, responds, "Our entire Credit Union strongly supports military personnel in a variety of ways --- by waiving ATM fees for deployed soldiers, through the SECU Foundation’s many NC National Guard initiatives, and in the upcoming staff led "Support the Troops" project aimed at providing needed items for those serving our Country overseas. This landmark ESGR Statement of Support signing really brings home the magnitude of SECU’s commitment to our own employee-reservists, our appreciation for their sacrifice, and our commitment to all our member-soldiers overseas!"

Greater Kinston Credit Union, Kinston
CDFI Award: $597,178
Use of Funds: Financial Assistance award for lending activities and Technical Assistance award for operations and staff support.

Latino Community Credit Union, Durham
CDFI Award: $750,000
Use of Funds: Financial Assistance to increase lending capital and capitalize a new micro-business loan product.

Self-Help Federal Credit Union, Durham
CDFI Award: $750,000
Use of Funds: Financial Assistance award to increase their net assets and enhance their lending capacity.

First Legacy Community Credit Union, Charlotte
CDCI Award: $1,000,000
Use of Funds: Financial Assistance award to increase their net assets and enhance their lending capacity.

Countering the frequent financial services industry practice of profiteering from consumer missteps, State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) is proud to offer its members "Another Chance" against costly NSF fees and returned check charges. With Another Chance now in place, SECU says its members have the most consumer-friendly traditional checking and alternative checking services in the industry! The new program provides members another opportunity to better control their own financial well-being, with SECU serving as their trusted ally.

For over twenty years, SECU has offered a "true overdraft protection" program which is used by over 85% of the Credit Union’s traditional checking accountholders. True overdraft allows members to designate two SECU accounts as protecting accounts for checking. If a need arises, funds are simply transferred from the protecting accounts to the member’s checking. As technology has advanced, SECU has taken the opportunity to expand the true overdraft program in order to further minimize traditional returned check charges and to serve members with alternative checking needs. SECU has completed a series of updates to its overdraft program with an "all members are good folks attitude" --- with the belief that SECU members are responsible consumers and are trying to "do the right thing!"

An extension in the business day cutoff and the addition of a mobile text alert system set the stage for SECU’s newest service --- Another Chance. Another Chance gives traditional checking accountholders peace of mind by notifying them via text or secure message when there are insufficient funds in their checking account to cover an item. An alert provides these members with an early, "wake-up-call" reminder to make a deposit by the end of the business day, essentially giving them "Another Chance" to avoid an NSF fee. An additional way to help traditional accountholders avoid fees is SECU’s new NSF Fee Free Days, which has saved Credit Union members over $3.5 million in 2010 alone! NSF Fee Free Days were specifically designed for those members who may make an occasional mistake with their traditional checking account. By waiving any $12 NSF fees the member may incur on two days each year, SECU is giving members the "break" and trusted support that they deserve. SECU even has a new answer for members who are paying too many NSF and returned check charge fees, offering the new SECU Cash Points Global (CPG) account as an alternative checking service. Already being used by nearly 7,000 SECU members, CPG was put in place as a controlled spending account/card. Since all transactions are limited to the available funds in the account, the member avoids any potential for overdraft or NSF fees. The Cash Points Global account also includes availability of direct deposit, ATM access, Visa-branded worldwide convenience, and no-cost bill pay service. Traditional checking, alternative checking – SECU now has an answer for all our good members! Really good folks always deserve "another chance!"

Signing up for "Another Chance" is easy. Enrollment is online; and there is no charge for the service. Members simply provide mobile service contact information to SECU. No fine print, no trip wires, no gotchas checking – traditional checking and Cash Points Global alternative checking – now available for all the good folks at SECU. For additional information, see www.nsecu.org.

Sue Douglas, SECU’s SVP of Operations, comments, "It has never been the focus of SECU to benefit from members’ errors, and we feel confident that our efforts over the past two years have resulted in an overall plan that will minimize returned items and any potential fees for members. Another Chance is a terrific addition to SECU’s ongoing efforts to put financial literacy into practice and keep money where it belongs – in the pockets of our members!"

State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) staff and members announced the launch of a holiday campaign to benefit North Carolina’s National Guard (NCNG) and Reservists deployed throughout the world --- "SECU Supports the Troops." The campaign will initiate the collection of wish list items for the soldiers, providing gifts from home during their tour of duty. All 233 Credit Union branches will collect items, as well as monetary donations to help defray shipping costs of items to the soldiers. The campaign will conclude October 15th, allowing time for SECU personnel to sort and package items for overseas distribution.

Prior to the statewide SECU Supports the Troops project, a number of SECU branches participated in a similar project, Boatie’s Boxes, led locally by Roanoke Rapids employee Gayle Pigford who states, "Since SECU serves the NC National Guard within its field of membership, this project provides the perfect opportunity to show our appreciation to the men and women who so valiantly serve our Country. We encourage all SECU members and North Carolina citizens to assist with this effort and help bring a touch of home to our deployed soldiers."

SECU-Statesville branch employee Andrea Johnson has personally experienced the impact a project such as SECU Supports the Troops can have on soldiers and soldier families. Andrea’s husband, National Guard First Sergeant Steven Johnson, has been deployed multiple times and she notes, "In my experience of volunteering with the family support group during my husband’s initial deployment, I saw first-hand the financial hardship a deployment can create for a soldier’s family. I’m really excited about SECU’s project for our soldiers and I know we can take some of the burden off their families back home who would normally be relied on to send everyday necessities."

First Sergeant Johnson adds, "No one realizes how important it is to receive a package in the mail until you’re away from home for a year living in very harsh conditions. If you need something, it’s definitely not as easy as jumping in your car and driving to a local store to get it. Without support from home, soldiers would struggle significantly in completing their mission at hand. Every soldier enjoys getting mail from home – it lets them know how much they are appreciated and that their sacrifice does not go unnoticed."

As a strong supporter of the NCNG, SECU’s latest project is just one of many initiatives to benefit Guard Reservists. SECU Foundation initiatives to support Guardsmen and their families include: NCNGA Education Foundation scholarships and the donation of a sport utility vehicle and trailer to benefit the Operation Kids on Guard Family Readiness Program. Other Credit Union support involves ongoing participation in the North Carolina National Guard Department of Defense Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program, SECU’s waiver of ATM fees for NCNG personnel, including the signing of a Bi-lateral Agreement with other military credit unions to ensure no-surcharge ATM access at ATMs worldwide, and the donation of laptops to the National Guard’s Tarheel ChalleNGe Academy. The Credit Union’s Statement of Support for the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserves (ESGR) also assists SECU employee soldiers who serve their Country in the National Guard and Reserves, and SECU’s branches are assigned to NC National Guard units in an effort to better meet the financial needs of local soldiers and their families.

Quancidine Gribble of It Takes A Village to Raise A Child presented Bragg Mutual FCU President/CEO Jean Stultz with a certificate of appreciation for the credit union's sponsorship. The certificate was awarded and signed by NC Governor Beverly Perdue.

The unique event was the brainstorm of Quancidine Gribble of Fayetteville, who is the director of the local organization It Takes A Village to Raise A Child. Gribble, who plans to make the challenge an annual event, got a boost from the credit union through its sponsorship.

To read story coverage of the event in the Fayetteville Observer, please click here.  

State Employees’ Credit Union members were honored at a "Topping Off Ceremony" in Asheville for their extraordinary gift to the region’s new Cancer Center. SECU members’ $5 million gift, via the SECU Foundation, will assist in the construction of the newly named SECU Cancer Center at Mission Hospital. Among those featured at the ceremony were North Carolina’s Lt. Governor Walter Dalton; Thomas Shea, MD, Associate Director for Clinical Outreach at UNC Lineberger; Ronald Paulus, MD, incoming President and CEO of Mission Health System and Mission Hospital, and Shirley Bell, SECU Foundation’s Board of Directors Chair. At the conclusion of the ceremony, the final steel beams of the building’s structural frame, carrying signatures of hundreds of supporters and Mission employees, were put in place.

The multi-level, 120,000 square foot SECU Cancer Center will house all outpatient cancer services in one location and, through an established partnership between Mission Cancer Program and the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center in Chapel Hill, will provide improved cancer care for many western North Carolinians. According to Hospital officials, the building is expected to open in early 2012.

Shirley Bell commented, "The SECU Foundation was established on the philosophy of ‘People Helping People’ and the $5 million gift for SECU Cancer Center at Mission Hospital is a fitting project to exemplify this philosophy. As the largest gift to date by the SECU Foundation, we look forward to the completion of this wonderful facility."

On hand for the ceremony, North Carolina Lt. Governor Walter Dalton, added, "As an SECU member, I am proud to see the SECU Foundation provide this gift for a project that will benefit so many citizens in our State. The SECU Cancer Center at Mission Hospital will be a great extension of the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, bringing much-needed services to western North Carolina."

Asheville Advisory Board and Mission Foundation Board member Wilma Sherrill stated, "I am grateful and truly excited to have been a part of this wonderful project and see first-hand what SECU members can achieve to better our communities. On behalf of our local SECU Advisory Board volunteers and the Mission Foundation Board, I applaud and thank all SECU members for their efforts in helping make such a positive difference for the citizens of our great State."

Mary Ann Rice, SECU SVP in Asheville-Biltmore Village, noted, "We are pleased to work with the Mission Healthcare Foundation to help make this vision a reality. An all-inclusive Cancer Center that will serve Buncombe and many surrounding counties will help families who are coping with this disease to provide comfort and healing."

At a recent State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) statewide Managers’ Meeting, David Serlo’s friends at SECU paid tribute to the longtime PSCU CEO with a significant donation to SECU Family House in his memory. The gift will provide the furnishings for one of the 40 bedrooms at the House. The surprise gift announcement and presentation of a plaque for Mr. Serlo’s family was made to PSCU Financial Services Group Executive Chuck Fagan, III, who spoke at the SECU meeting.

Serlo, whose life exemplified SECU’s own credo of "People Helping People," lost his long-time battle with cancer in June of this year. The gift to SECU Family House in Chapel Hill, NC not only honors Serlo, but recognizes the housing and healing needs of families enduring critical illness.

Leanne Phelps, SVP of SECU’s Card and Record Services department, remarks, "David Serlo left quite a legacy of service to the credit union industry. He wanted members to receive fair priced, quality products and his work helped to level that playing field, with many Americans of modest means as the beneficiaries. While SECU directly benefited from David’s knowledge of the card industry, the broader community continues to benefit from his giving spirit."

Greg Kirkpatrick, Executive Director of SECU Family House, comments, "Funding provided to furnish a guest room helps SECU Family House to place more dollars towards expenses associated with guest stays. To illustrate the impact, a gift of $12.50 provides one family with a room and food for a night. The Friends of David Serlo gift from SECU makes it possible for 115 families to stay here for seven nights, which is the average length of stay for a seriously ill patient and caregiver at SECU Family House at UNC Hospitals. The Serlo Family can take comfort that Dave’s legacy is measured in part by the willingness of friends to remember and honor him in a tangible way that contributes to the comfort and support of families who are going through difficult medical crises of their own."

Chuck Fagan, Group Executive with PSCU Financial Services states, "Dave Serlo was especially proud of the long standing relationship between SECU of North Carolina and PSCU Financial Services. He would be particularly pleased with this recognition because the members of SECU and their Foundation are making such an impactful difference in communities across North Carolina.  Actively supporting numerous organizations such as Children’s Miracle Network and the American Red Cross, Dave sought out opportunities to participate in meaningful causes, both personally and through PSCU Financial Services, and the SECU Family House aligns perfectly with his belief in the importance of, and responsibility citizens have, to give back.  Dave’s career was dedicated to positioning credit unions to offer competitive products and services that enable financial success for individual members.  Both his working career and participation with various charitable causes exemplified the ‘People Helping People’ philosophy."

Coastal Federal Credit Union has offered a unique challenge to Habitat for Humanity of Wake County via a 1,000 Fans Campaign. The local credit union will donate a $1,000 grant to Habitat Wake’s affordable housing mission if the organization can reach 1,000 Fans on their Facebook page by the end of the year. Both organizations will promote the campaign using social media tools – status updates, e-mail newsletters, and Facebook messages asking their contacts to spread the word to their Facebook connections.

"We’re trying to share information about the need for affordable housing in every way that we can," said Habitat Wake’s Executive Director Kevin Campbell. "Facebook gives us access to a unique and diverse audience and helps us talk to people who may not be otherwise involved in the Habitat mission." 630 people have become "Fans" of the Habitat Wake Facebook page to date. These fans receive updates about affordable housing, home dedications, and Habitat Wake events on their own Facebook pages.

"The real hope," said Coastal’s Joe Mecca, "is that the mission of Habitat becomes viral online, and that then translates into affordable houses for families and healthy neighborhoods in our community."

Find both organizations on Facebook:

Coastal Federal Credit Union

Habitat for Humanity of Wake County

NC Minority Support Center Chairman Armeer Kenchen presents NC Representatives Alma Adams and William Wainwright with CDCU Advocacy Awards.

"The North Carolina Legislative Black Caucus has consistently supported community economic development in underserved and low wealth communities including paving the way for many of the CDCUs to offer small business lending to their membership  and interested community residents."

"RBC Bank was happy to open its doors for this event and appreciates all the work Kim and Derek put into the students," says RBC Bank Regional Marketing Advisor Priscilla Awkard.

The fourteen participants, also known as "littles", came to from Wake, Durham and Orange counties. They each attended sessions covering money management topics that emphasized the importance of budgeting, financial goal setting and the development of habitual savings. "We've had fun teaching the 'littles' this summer," said Derek Williams, YFE Intern for The Support Center. "They were engaged and took to each activity from our lesson plan with enthusiam."  

"We are so excited about the collaboration of Big Brothers Big Sisters, RBC Bank, and NC Minority Support Center to provide financial literacy and education to deserving young people," says Barron Damon, Vice President of Partnership Development at Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Triangle. "Through our partnership we are equipping a generation of young people that will become fiscally responsible.  The YFE Program is one of the leading financial literacy programs around.  We are grateful for the support they have provided through this partnership.We look forward to beginning the second series later this year with their continued support."       

The Support Center's partnership with BBBS is a part of the YFE program's extension into communities across the state. The program, which is offered in school systems year round, has also conducted similar sessions this summer with the Albemarle Road Recreation Center (Charlotte), Durham Parks and Recreation, Camp Calvary (Durham)and Greater Kinston's Youth Savings Club. Approximately 500 children have participated in the YFE program's 2010 summer series. 

Experts agree that adults should begin having ongoing conversations about money as soon as children understand that things cost money. It is a leading cause of stress, health problems, relationship trouble and self-esteem issues it has a broad reaching effect.   

Fewer than half the teens in a 2006 Charles Schwab Foundation survey understood how to budget their money, and the average college freshman has $1,500 in credit card debt. The segment of the population filing for bankruptcy faster than any other? Americans under the age of 25. These are the trends The Support Center aims to reverse through its YFE Program by explaining financial literacy issues to younger students.

Local Government Federal Credit Union (LGFCU) proudly announces the addition of six new advisory council members to five of its 22 councils across the state.

The new appointments are an integral part of LGFCU’s volunteer-driven initiative not only to educate people on the benefits of credit union membership, but also to relay feedback to the board of directors regarding available/potentially available products and services, delivery of service and member needs.

Advisory council members, who represent the philosophical character of the credit union and contribute their time without compensation, function as LGFCU’s eyes and ears throughout the state, serving as liaisons between credit union members and non-members and LGFCU management.

July’s appointees are:

Research Triangle
Darlene Jacobs, Local Government Federal Credit Union, Retired
Barbara Davis, Northampton Memorial Library, Librarian

Tar River
Pat Saunders, Heritage Hospital, Manager of Admissions

Wake
Judy Rhyne, N.C. Association of County Commissioners, Information Technology Director

Western Piedmont
Debi Grant, Town of Kernersville, Geographic Information Systems Planner

Western Triangle
Lt. Michael Adkins, Caswell County Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Sheriff

A Ribbon Cutting Ceremony was held Friday, July 23rd for Maple Court Apartments, a transitional housing complex benefiting homeless veterans in Durham, NC. Volunteers of America of the Carolinas developed the complex, with support from the City of Durham and the Veterans Administration. The SECU Foundation partnered with the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency (NCHFA) to provide permanent financing for the Maple Court project.

Maple Court Apartments offer 24 rental units for homeless veterans served by the VA Hospital in Durham who are disabled or have chronic health problems exacerbated by the lack of safe, affordable housing. Also located nearby is the Travis Porter Veterans’ Resource Center at Maple Court, which assists persons with spinal cord injuries and other disabilities.

Shirley Bell, SECU Foundation Chair commented, "The Maple Court project exemplifies the SECU Foundation philosophy of ‘People Helping People.’ SECU members across the State are proud to play