ORLANDO, Fla. –The League of Southeastern Credit Unions & Affiliates presented its annual LSCU Awards during its 2022 Southeastern Credit Union Conference & Expo, which it reported drew record attendance.
This awards ceremony recognized credit unions and credit union professionals who have demonstrated exemplary service and accomplished significant achievements in 2021.
According to LSCU, which represents CUs in Alabama, Florida and Georgia, the Credit Union of the Year award recognizes affiliated credit unions for their outstanding achievements in the various areas of day-to-day operations, financial prowess, and community outreach.
The winners of the Credit Union of the Year award based on asset size are as follows:
Credit Union of the Year up to $100 Million in Assets
- Azalea City Credit Union (Alabama)
- Baptist Health South Florida Federal Credit Union (Florida)
- Combined Employees Credit Union (Georgia)
Credit Union of the Year $100 Million to $500 Million in Assets
- Alabama State Employees Credit Union (Alabama)
- Miami Postal Service Credit Union (Florida)
- Family First Credit Union (Georgia)
Credit Union of the Year More Than $500 Million in Assets
- America’s First Federal Credit Union (Alabama)
- Eglin Federal Credit Union (Florida)
- Robins Financial Credit Union (Georgia)
‘Above and Beyond’
“We are excited to honor these nine incredible credit unions with the Credit Union of the Year awards. Throughout the pandemic and beyond, these credit unions have proven they will go above and beyond for their members at every opportunity,” said Patrick La Pine, CEO of LSCU & Affiliates. “Whether these credit unions are promoting financial literacy for all or even supplying educational scholarships for students in need, these outstanding credit unions are exceeding all expectations and are continuing to help members in their communities thrive and flourish.”
Record Crowd
Separately, the LSCU said the meeting drew record attendance, attracting more than 1,000 people to the event at the Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek. The association further noted the LSCU advocacy team and the Southeastern Credit Union Foundation (SECUF) also had record-breaking numbers for their fundraising efforts.
“It was so great to see so many familiar faces at SCUCE 2022 and it’s incredible that we broke our SCUCE attendance record this year,” said La Pine. “We are always grateful for time spent with people who truly exemplify the ‘People Helping People’ credit union philosophy. As always, our conversations lead us to better ways we can work together to advance the credit union movement across Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and beyond.”
La Pine and Samantha Beeler, the new President of LSCU & Affiliates, led the Opening General Session for SCUCE on Thursday morning with a packed crowd of credit union leaders from across the globe. The two LSCU leaders updated attendees about the Association, the Southeastern Credit Union Foundation, legislative accomplishments, and much more.
“We are stoked about the legislative wins related to financial literacy in our three states,” added LSCU & Affiliates’ new president, Samantha Beeler. “LSCU is truly leading the way to improve financial literacy for students in the Southeast. Florida kicked it all off by approving legislation that will require high school students to take a financial literacy course before graduation, Georgia followed suit by also passing similar requirements, and Alabama took notice by approving a resolution to also have legislation ready for next year’s session. We are proud to continue leading the charge in the Southeast.”
The organization noted that the LSCU Council Conference also launched for the first time ever on Tuesday, the day before SCUCE 2022 got started. The Council Conference is a two-year culmination of planning and launching eight different LSCU Councils (Accounting & Finance, CEO, Compliance, Lending, Marketing & Business Development, Operations & Member Experience, Payments, and Technology). The Councils provide credit union professionals with unique opportunities for networking, professional development, and information sharing.
As with the record-breaking numbers of attendance, the LSCU advocacy team and SECUF also had their highest fundraising numbers ever for the annual event. Through the Advocacy Luncheon and the Silent Auction, the Advocacy Team raised nearly $45,000. SECUF took in more than $60,000 and had about 136 people who donated to the cause.