Military Departments select their 2014 credit unions of the year
WASHINGTON, DC (August 4, 2015) — Five Defense Credit Unions will be recognized with Distinguished Service Awards by their respective branches of the armed services during the Defense Credit Union’s 52nd Annual Conference, August 18, 2015. The awards are scheduled to be presented by each respective Deputy Assistant Secretary at the Military Awards Luncheon during DCUC’s Annual meeting.
FirstLight FCU, Fort Bliss, TX, was recognized by the Department of the Army for their outstanding commitment to Fort Bliss and the surrounding community sponsoring over 100 events annually. Highlighted was FirstLight’s support of on-base growth by opening another full-service branch on base that also included space for one of the military’s largest USO Centers, the second USO location the credit union has made possible with their support. In addition, Firstlight was commended for their steadfast support of financial education holding more than 50 classes for more than 700 service members and their families.
The Department of the Navy presented their distinguished award to two worthy credit unions. Winning for the $1B and above category was Navy FCU at Naval Station Mayport, FL. The branch was recognized for their staunch support of on-base financial education to include giving 51 presentations to over 3200 Sailors and their families, DoD personnel, and contractors. Navy FCU, NS Mayport, was also noted for their heavy focus on predatory lending prevention pairing with the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society to provide financial counseling.
Pacific Marine CU, Camp Pendleton, CA, was awarded the Navy Credit Union of the Year award for under $1B. The credit union was honored for their continuous efforts to reach out to the community, either voluntarily or monetarily, routinely or in times of need. Pacific Marine was specifically noted for their full-service Mobile Branch that travels an average of 140 miles per week, including weekends, to remote and isolated locations on Camp Pendleton ensuring that Marines and their families have ready access to financial services.
The Department of the Air Force also awarded their prestigious honor to two credit unions. 1st Liberty FCU, Malmstrom AFB, MT, was awarded for the under $1 Billion category. The credit union was noted for their “car buying made easy” pamphlet, their predatory loan alternative, and providing free CarFax reports to military members and their dependents regardless of the origin of their auto loan. 1st Liberty FCU was also commended for their efforts during sequestration in 2014 offering loan payment deferral, loan payment reductions, and consumer credit counseling to Air Force civilian personnel and Airmen.
Service CU at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, was named the Air Force’s top credit union in the above $1 Billion category. The credit union was selected for their tireless commitment to financial education, providing free interactive webinars as well as a free financial education and counseling program. Additionally, they were cited for their incomparable financial warrior and veteran products such as their 10% APY Warrior Savings Program for troops deployed to designated combat zones and their Warrior Rewards Program, which offers members a 1% bonus to CD dividend rate for deployed members, members with 20 years of service, and decorated veterans.
Although the criteria for these awards is structured differently by each of the Military Departments, common areas of consideration are: a) the delivery of financial service “above and beyond normal requirements;” b) special services provided at the command’s request; c) financial education and training; d) action taken to combat predatory lending; e) community support; and f) professional attitude and financial leadership.
Without question these DCUC member credit unions went above and beyond to provide exemplary service to their service members and their families, and for that, the Military Departments were most impressed and equally grateful.
About Defense Credit Union Council (DCUC)
The Defense Credit Union Council is the premier resource for credit unions on all military and veteran matters. By maintaining a close and constant liaison with the Pentagon, Capitol Hill, and NCUA, the Council champions the interests of credit unions serving our military and veteran communities by coordinating policy, procedures, and legislation impacting morale and welfare, financial readiness, and the delivery of quality financial products and services. Organized in 1963, the Council’s membership is comprised of 180 credit unions with over 35 million members. If you would like more information about this topic, please contact DCUC at alert@dcuc.org.
