Peachtree Corners, GA (September 30, 2021) |
Associated Credit Union commemorates the life and contributions of James C. Barbre III who passed away on Sept. 26. Barbre served the credit union industry for 67 years, including Associated Credit Union for 43 years.
Born in 1934, Barbre grew up on a small farm in Albany with a family who believed in sharing their time and supporting their community. At just 20 years old with a nurtured passion for helping others, Barbre recognized employees needed affordable banking and founded his first credit union in his hometown in 1954. After realizing what good credit unions could do, Barbre established four more credit unions in Albany and Dalton between 1960 and 1972.
Barbre eventually became an Associated Credit Union Board of Directors Member in 1978, and also served as a Chairman and Credit Committee Member. In that time, he made several significant contributions that resulted in organizational growth and success. Barbre helped coordinate the largest merger at the time with the Federal Employees Credit Union, develop the largest Member Companies base in Georgia and expand financial product offers to include business and home loans. He also insisted on annual financial training and testing before the National Credit Union Administration mandated basic financial education. His educational advocacy even inspired Associated Credit Union to recruit board and committee members who fill expertise gaps. Chief Executive Officer and President C. Lin Hodges said that Barbre will be remembered for his love of and meaningful involvement with credit unions, as well as his admirable compassionate persona.
“Jim loved our credit union and made us better, but he was also the most generous and caring person I have ever known,” Hodges said. “He will be dearly missed.”
But Barbre did more than just advance Associated Credit Union, he also served numerous credit unions and organizations, such as:
- Southwest Georgia Chapter of Credit Unions President
- Georgia Credit Union League Board of Directors Member, Secretary, Second Vice President, First Vice President, President and Treasurer
- Georgia Central Corporate Credit Union Board of Directors Member
- Georgia Credit Union Service Corporation Board of Directors Member, President, Vice Chairman and Treasurer
- Georgia’s State Credit Union Organizations Board of Directors Member and Chairman
- CUNA Mutual Group Board of Directors Member and Chairman
- Credit Union Political Action Council Chairman
- International Forum Group Representative for Georgia
- League Community Involvement Committee Chairman
Some of Barbre’s most notable accomplishments include merging CUNA Mutual Group with Century Life, passing the CUNA Mutual Group and Georgia Credit Union Affiliates 12-year term limit and eliminating the 65-year-old age limit, establishing global credit unions and developing a three-year financial plan for state support organizations
Associated Credit Union honors the life and contributions of long-time Board of Directors Member James C. Barbre III who passed away on Sept. 26. Barbre served the credit union industry for 67 years, including Associated Credit Union for 43 years. Barbre served the credit union industry for 67 years, including Associated Credit Union for 43 years.