WASHINGTON–The Defense Credit Union Council recognized five defense credit unions and four Hall of Honor individuals during its recent annual conference, some of whom have previously been reported in CUToday.info.
According to DCUC, credit unions are selected based on the delivery of financial services “above and beyond normal requirements;” special services provided at the command’s request; financial education and training; action taken to combat predatory lending; community support; and professional attitude and financial leadership.
Credit union winners are:
- Department of the Army: Pentagon FCU (PenFed), Fort Hood, Texas, branch. Of note: PenFed’s committed support to combat payday lenders by providing more than 2,472 interest-free micro loans totaling nearly $1.5 million in 2015. The Fort Hood branch was also commended for modifying branch hours beyond 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; supporting Military Saves Week; and providing financial readiness briefings to more than 500 soldiers.
- Department of the Navy: Navy FCU, Marine Corps Air Station, Miramar, Calif., $1 billion and above in assets. The branch was recognized for its on-base financial education that includes 18 workshops to more than 800 Marines; its heavy focus on predatory lending prevention and fraud prevention circumventing more $56,000 in fraudulent checks; and protection of servicemembers, their families and veterans.
- Pacific Marine CU, Camp Pendleton, Calif., less than $1 billion in assets for the second consecutive year. The credit union was honored for their outreach to the military community by providing rides to young Marines, who had been seeking loans, back to their units after the shuttles had stopped. It also served weekly lunches to troops at the “Concrete Beach Program,” and offered a special Military Saves product—a 4% annual percentage yield certificate for active-duty and retired military personnel.
- Department of the Air Force: Keesler FCU, Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., $1 billion and above in assets. Keesler was selected for its extensive financial products that help students establish a sound financial footing, and support of community events such as “Thunder on the Bay” air show, Special Olympics, and the base’s quarterly and annual awards.
- Dover FCU, Dover Air Force Base, Del., less than $1 billion in assets. The credit union was noted for its continuous efforts to provide personal financial management education, particularly its work with Dover’s Airman & Family Readiness Center. Dover FCU was also highlighted for its Adopt an Airman program which pairs new airman with local community leaders to provide the servicemembers a family and home atmosphere.
Individuals inducted into the Hall of Honor include:
- Edward Cody, chair, PenFed FCU, was noted for 34 years of volunteer service at the credit union as well as the Pentagon Federal Credit Union Foundation.
- David Elliott, president/CEO, Fort Bragg FCU, Fayetteville, N.C., was selected for his 27-plus years of credit union leadership and support of the Fort Bragg/Fayetteville community
- J. Marvin Hawk, board vice chair, Fort Knox FCU, Radcliff, Ky., was recognized for nearly 40 years as a board member and volunteer for the credit union.
- Gordon Sam, board chair, Pearl Hawaii FCU, Waipahu, Hawaii, was honored for his work on behalf of credit unions at the local, state, and national levels.