American First CU opens new branch in Fullerton.

American First CU has moved to its newly constructed branch in the Fullerton marketplace to better serve members in the area. In addition to its standard weekday hours, the branch has added Saturday express branch hours, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. The former branch in La Habra is permanently closed. The relocation is part of the credit union’s lobby transformation initiative. The center features a Coinstar machine, kid’s zone, and an interactive digital kiosk. The branch is open to the community with associates ready to assist.

 
Nathan Cox, Travis CU SVP/Chief Lending Officer. 

Travis CU has hired Nathan Cox as the new senior vice president and chief lending officer. Cox will be responsible for  the strategic direction of consumer and real estate lending and commercial lending to include card services and collections.  Additionally, he will create, communicate, execute and sustain lending projects and strategic initiatives within the credit union that ensure “best practices” to accomplish the mission and strategic plan while meeting the financial needs of our members.

Tina Musgrave, Bay FCU Vice President of Marketing and Member Engagement.

Bay FCU has promoted Tina Musgrave to the position of assistant vice president of marketing and member engagement. In her new role, she will manage and direct digital marketing efforts to increase member engagement, drive revenue growth, and actionable insights to support the strategic vision of the credit union.

PremierOne CU Marketing Officers Chris Reyes and Mark Mendez were among those participating in the credit union’s Warm Coat & Toy Drive.  

PremierOne CU staff participated in several local events this past holiday season—ranging from collecting coats and toys to taking part in an annual Shop with a Cop shopping spree, to assisting at an event for local children who have developed cancer. 

First Tech FCU is hosting its first ever Dispute Summit on February 11, 2020 in Hillsboro, OR. Since 2017, First Tech FCU has been on a journey to automate the dispute process from intake to resolution. The credit union is hosting a free, daylong seminar to share its journey in the dispute process automation.

L-R: Francisco Bugarin of First Financial CU, Ingrid Stephanie Bryan, Annalee Avenue Elementary School principal, and Therese El Khoury of First Financial CU.

First Financial CU donated more than 100 toys to Annalee Avenue Elementary School in Carson, this past holiday season. 

America’s Christian CU wrapped up its 61st year with multiple acts of generosity. Some acts of kindness included a campaign that kicked off on Giving Tuesday (Dec. 3, 2019) with a donation drive for The Sheepfold, a nonprofit that serves mothers and children who have escaped domestic violence. The credit union board of directors also authorized monetary gifts to more than 80 churches, ministries, and nonprofits. The year-end blessing drive, dubbed “Random Acts of Kindness,” distributed about $140,000 in charitable gifts and was made possible by the credit union’s strong financial performance during 2019. 

Richard Lie, Los Angeles FCU's President/CEO (4^th from left), and Anthony Cuevas, the credit union’s Exec.VP/COO (center), posed with Glendale Fire Department Captain Silvio Lanzas (3^rd from left), and members of the Glendale Fire Department (Station 21) after the credit union donated bikes and toys to the Glendale Firefighters Association’s Family Holiday Charity Program.

Los Angeles FCU donated bikes and toys to the Glendale Fire Department’s Family Holiday Charity Program. This program coordinates with community agencies to identify low-income families who need toys or requested gifts during the holiday season.

 
Kristen Mahlmann, SVP of Accounting and Finance at Redwood CU.

Redwood CU has hired Kristen Mahlmann as senior vice president of accounting and finance. In her new role as part of the senior leadership team, Mahlmann will oversee financial planning, budgeting and forecasting, and will lead the accounting and finance operations teams.

American First CU associates donated more than 150 presents as part of The Angel Tree Program, a holiday gift drive established by Crittenton Services for Children and Families (CSCF). This is the credit union’s 14^th year participating in the holiday program.

First Financial CU team breaks real estate production record. 

First Financial CU celebrated a huge milestone, posting $36.1 million in real estate loans during third quarter 2019, breaking the previous record of $20 million in third quarter 2017.

Diablo Valley FCU CEO John Pamer presents a donation check to Contra Costa Blue Star Moms volunteers.

Diablo Valley FCU donated $500 to the Contra Costa Blue Star Moms from the proceeds of the recently completed Concord 5000 charity 5K run/walk. The Blue Star Moms used the funds to offset the cost of sending over 400 care packages to troops stationed far from home over the holidays.

Brian Kilkenny, Redwood CU Business Services Administrator. 

Redwood CU welcomes Brian Kilkenny as its new business services administrator, assuming responsibility for the growth, quality, and retention of the credit union's business loan portfolio. 

Patelco CU team members present a check to Shawnda Bost, Volunteer Coordinator, Open Heart Kitchen of Pleasanton, CA, at the new Patelco CU headquarters.

Patelco CU team members surprised their members and community food banks throughout Northern California during the week of Dec. 16, donating $61,000. The bulk of the donations were gifted to food-related organizations struggling to meet the needs of their community during the holiday season.  Additionally, Patelco CU team members distributed nearly 400 gift cards to members facing challenges.

Christian Community CU has pledged $135,000 over three years to the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities. This pledge will add to the council’s existing faculty scholarship fund. The faculty scholarship fund provides faculty from council institutions with funds to create and disseminate high-quality scholarship that brings Christian voices into contemporary academic conversations.

LBS Financial CU employees with the credit union’s donation to the Long Beach Rescue Mission and WomenShelter of Long Beach.

LBS Financial CU employees within the electronic services department led a program to collect food and clothing donations for the Long Beach Rescue Mission and the WomenShelter of Long Beach. Eighteen cases of food items and four 50 gallon bins filled with clothing for men and women and were donated, along with another four 50 gallon bins of clothing that will be delivered to the WomenShelter in early January.

First Tech FCU members, employees, and the community came together for its annual signature ‘Season of Giving’ campaign.Through in-branch and online voting in Oregon, Washington, California, and beyond, First Tech FCU employees, members and the community raised more than $200,000 and thousands of volunteer hours to support 43 nonprofit organizations.

Golden 1 CU donated more than $50,000 to 26 food banks throughout California on Giving Tuesday on Dec. 3. Giving Tuesday is a day when people around the world give back to their community in some way. This year, Golden 1 CU added an additional five food banks to its distribution list, providing aid to food banks in the Sacramento Valley, San Joaquin Valley, Bay Area, Central Coast, and other counties throughout Northern and Southern California.

San Diego County CU launched its ninth annual Holiday Toy Drive benefiting Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego and Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC Children’s). Through Dec. 21, 2019, every one the credit union's locatons throughout Southern California will serve as an authorized drop-off location for new, unwrapped toys. 

Technology CU is the recipient of multiple awards, including named one of Silicon Valley’s most philanthropic companies by the Silicon Valley Business Journal, an honor the company has received for the past five years. Technology CU also received a Credit Union Journal Best Practices Award for its Revel Wine campaign and won two MarCom awards: gold for its e-annual report and an honorable mention for its Revel Wine integrated marketing campaign. Lastly, Technology CU’s Senior Vice President of Retail Banking, Fawzia Sarwar, was named a Credit Union Rock Star by Credit Union Magazine.

PremierOne CU has announced that Zelle digital payments network is now live on its online banking and mobile app. Zelle is free to all of its mobile and online banking subscribers. Zelle enables convenient person-to-person payments for PremierOne CU members enrolled in online or mobile banking. It allows for funds to be sent from one bank account in the U.S. to another, using only a recipient's email address or U.S. mobile number. Funds are typically available within minutes when both parties are enrolled with Zelle. 

SkyOne FCU Chief Lending Officer Russ McAtee and Chief Financial Officer Scott Ko.

SkyOne FCU has hired Chief Lending Officer Russ McAtee and Chief Financial Officer Scott Ko to the executive leadership team. McAtee will oversee SkyOne FCU’s consumer, mortgage, and commercial lending, as well as loan servicing and credit risk management. Ko will oversee the credit union’s finance division, comprised of the accounting and risk management departments, working to continuously ensure the security of member-owned dollars. 

Christian Community CU has named Jason Thomas as the new Chief Financial Officer. Thomas has more than 21 years’ experience in the financial industry. He started out as an investment consultant and later transitioned into the credit union industry. Thomas succeeds Stan Wahl who will retire in January 2020 after 14 years of service.

Greater Nevada CU has launched GreaterLendingXchange, an industry leading technology provides 24/7 investor access to purchasing participation loans.

L-R: Jaclynn Carey, First Financial’s La Mesa Branch Manager; Johanna Aleman, The Stand Coordinator; Larry Maxy, Dean of Student Equity and Success; Drista Stellmacher, Director of Resource Develoment; Sara Boehmer, Interim, director of Resource Development and Leticia Briseno, First Financial Area Branch Manager.

First Financial CU donated more than $1,000 and clothing to the San Diego Mesa College food pantry, The Stand.

SAFE CU VP of Marketing Erica Dias scholarship recipient Angelina Mikityuk and SAFE CU Board Chairman Terrance Tremelling.

SAFE CU awarded UC Davis Medical School third-year medical student Angelina Mikityuk with a scholarship during a ceremony at the UC Davis Mind Institute. Medical school students on average graduate with around $200,000 in student loan debt, a heavy load to bear as they enter the medical field in their 30s. That debt can affect where they choose to work, in which disciplines, and delay their other important life decisions such as buying a home and starting a family.

Jim Dilday, Chairperson of the First Financial CU Board of Directors, cut the ribbon with Jaclyn Carey, La Mesa Branch Manager, surrounded by members of the Board of Directors, Carlton Musmann, President/CEO, staff and members.

First Financial CU celebrated the grand opening of its newest branch in the city of La Mesa with a festive member-oriented Grand Opening and Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony last month.  

America’s Christian CU announced its member-generated Visa® Platinum GiveBack for the third quarter of 2019. Proceeds in the amount of $7,000 will be distributed in alignment with the credit union's corporate priorities of building stronger families, communities, and ministries. This quarter’s beneficiaries include Harvest Family Life Ministries; the American Center for Law and Justice; JESUS Film Harvest Partners; and Kelly Schlenz of Idyllwild Pines Camp and Conference Center.

Meriwest CU employees and the board of directors donated $8,500 to Second Harvest of Silicon Valley, helping feed more than 17,000 people in their community.

Greater Nevada CU has launched  the I Can Save account, designed to establish and build emergency savings. The process entails opening an I Can Save account, which requires no minimum deposit; making a deposit up to $200 into the account each month, again no minimum required; and earning a generous interest rate on balances up to $1,000, then the standard interest rate on balances beyond that. To ensure the account is used for needs and not wants, funds can only be withdrawn by closing out the account and there is a two-year waiting period to open another I Can Save account.

New Valley First CU Clovis branch.

Valley First CU opened its new innovative Clovis branch. The branch features modern state-of-the-art technology and an interior designed to provide a welcoming banking experience, with a range of convenient service options that include face-to-face service, live video assistance and self-serve banking. There are two Interactive Teller Machines (ITMs), which are the latest technology that provide members the choice of completing their own transactions or they can touch the screen to speak with a live associate. Coming early 2020, a modern glass Nanawall system.

America’s Christian CU conducted financial literacy training for students in San Gabriel Valley. More than 50 students, ranging from fourth graders to college seniors, attended the workshops during October and November. America's Christian CU's staff presented a total of eleven sessions, covering topics such as saving, balancing a checkbook, building a good credit score, setting financial goals, budgeting, and giving back.

PremierOne CU awarded scholarships to two university-bound members. Ian Sills of Hollister, CA, and Niki Kazemi of San Jose, CA, accepted their awards during a scholarship awards ceremony held at the credit union's corporate headquarters in San Jose in August.

Frontwave CU set a new record for mortgage lending in 2019, funding over $75 million in first mortgages through Nov. 30, a year-over-year increase of more than 146 percent. Jeff Forsgren, Director of Real Estate for Frontwave, credits the impressive growth to a combination of factors, including new products, new team members and improved efficiencies.

Greater Nevada CU received four “Best Of” awards in its service areas. This fall the credit union received first place for “Best Credit Union” and “Best Bank” by the Reno News & Review (RN&R); “Best Financial Institute” for 13 years running in the Nevada Appeal’s Carson City Readers’ Choice Awards; and “Best Bank/Credit Union” in The Record-Courier’s Best of Carson Valley Awards.

Edwards FCU’s Board of Directors and President/CEO at the formal ground breaking ceremony on Nov. 18, 2019. L to R: Treasurer Donald Sullivan, Board member Martin O’Brien, Chairman Ronald Guyadeen, President/CEO Roy MacKinnon, Vice Chair Kimberly Dunham, Board member Ronald Davino and Secretary Lindsay Harris.

Edwards FCU broke ground on the credit union’s new flagship branch and Administration building scheduled to open in Palmdale in late 2020. The new building will be a dual destination location shared by Edwards FCU and a coffee retailer on the ground level. The first floor of the new branch will feature an open floor plan, including a unique community room that will be made available to outside groups and organizations. The second-floor has offices for management, accounting, human resources, meeting rooms and a lunch/breakroom for staff. Two drive through ATMs will be on site in addition to two walk-up ATMs and ample parking.

CU of Southern California Member Service Officer Samantha Yates talks to La Serna students.

CU of Southern California hosted a Bite of Reality event for students in La Serna High School's Guided Studies, OASIS, HAVEN, and Read 180 academic intervention programs, and their mentors as well as consumer math students. The program—offered by the Richard Myles Johnson (RMJ) Foundation, the state foundation for credit unions in California and Nevada—has young people take a “real world” test drive, complete with a job, money, and the freedom to make their own financial decisions.

Excite CU has announced the Step up Saving Program, a partnership between the credit union and the East Side Alliance, a group of eight East San Jose school districts, that allows children to begin saving money for higher education by making an initial investment and then matching those funds.

John Wheatley, VP of RCU Insurance Services.

Redwood CU’s wholly-owned subsidiary, RCU Services Group, has promoted John Wheatley to vice president of RCU Insurance Services, the credit union’s insurance agency. In his new role, Wheatley manages the daily operations of the insurance agency, including oversight of sales and customer service, staffing, training, vendor relationships, and promotions.

Golden 1 CU announced a giveback totaling $20 million that was deposited across nearly 1.1 million accounts. The contribution marks the second time in five years the credit union has awarded eligible members with surprise account deposits as a ‘thank you’ to all those across California who make Golden 1 CU great.

California Coast CU help launch the Pack the Pantry food drive. 

California Coast CU partnered with the San Diego Food Bank and local community colleges to launch the Pack the Pantry food drive, which ran from Nov. 4 - Nov. 8.  Food donation bins were placed at all Cal Coast CU branches and on all local community college campuses. The first-ever Pack the Pantry food drive to fight student hunger on local college campuses exceeded all expectations, raising enough food and financial donations to provide more than 50,000 meals to area students. 

Financial Partners CU team.

Financial Partners CU and A Running LLC hosted the first annual Seal Beach Turkey Trot on Saturday where more than 1,500 runners and fitness enthusiasts came to kick off the holiday season. The event, which featured a 10K and 5K race along with a 1K Kids race and a Gym Challenge raised money for local schools through ProjectSEEK and for Grateful Hearts, which will provide over 300 meals this Thanksgiving to families in need.