KALAMAZOO, Mich. — ECCU held its 81st Annual Meeting at its main office here to celebrate the credit union’s past year’s accomplishments.
“If I had to pick one word to summarize our credit union’s evolvement in 2015, it would be momentum,” said President and CEO Julie Blitchok. “Momentum demands movement, which we certainly accomplished with the year’s progress of events.”
2015 began with change. Blitchok took the helm in March and a much-needed and highly anticipated new core processing system was launched in July, making mobile check deposits, Apple Pay, online account opening and instant issue debit cards available to members.
ECCU said it emerged as a leader in mortgages, thanks to innovative products such as a seven-year mortgage and a new 15- and 30-year mortgage special with no money down and no PMI. The credit union also implemented a construction loan program and updated their HELOC product to allow 100% financing was a direct response to member needs and demands.
With member convenience in mind, ECCU said it eliminated the need to visit a branch to apply for a loan by offering loans by phone, allowing for an answer within minutes. Electronic signatures for loan closings means members enjoy quick access to funds.
The credit union also celebrated being named among the top four credit union SBA (Small Business Administration) lenders in the state of Michigan, a direct testament to the Commercial Lending team working tirelessly to be the preferred business lender in the area.
Between the new technology, product launches and updates, and tremendous loan growth, ECCU staff raised over $4,500 for three community organizations in 2015: Housing Resources, Inc., Kalamazoo Child Abuse & Neglect Prevention Council and Kalamazoo Humane Society.
Incumbents Richard Cahow, Jeffrey Powless and Kimberley Rohr were re-elected to ECCU's Board of Directors for three-year terms, and the 2016 James E. Fetterolf Distinguished Service Award was presented to executive assistant Donna Blair in recognition of her 26 years of dedicated service and exemplifying the credit union philosophy of "People Helping People."
Blair, shown at right, joined what was then called School Employees Credit Union in 1990, started as a teller at the Gull Road office. Eight years later, she became an executive assistant; a role she retains to this day. Working closely with the CEO, executive team, the board of directors, and other credit union staff, Blair said, “I have enjoyed my many years working with the wonderful board, staff and members of ECCU.”
“Yes, we gained momentum in 2015, and that’s just the beginning,” promises Blitchok. “It’s an exciting time as we look ahead to our 2016 initiatives and focus on making ECCU the best place to bank.”