Tag Archives: Credit Unions

SACU Bridge for U Scholarship awards $18,000 to students

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SACU logoSACU is pleased to announce the six recipients of its 2013-2014 SACU Bridge for U Scholarship, designed to assist SACU members as they move from a two-year community college to a four-year college or university. This year’s scholarship awards totaled $18,000.

“One of San Antonio’s strengths is its solid and accessible community college system. This scholarship is a benefit of SACU membership, providing $3,000 per student to assist our members in ‘bridging’ from a two-year community college to a four-year college or university,” SACU Scholarship representative Juan Antonio Ruiz said. SACU Board of Directors Scholarship Chair Deborah J. McCrary introduced and recognized three of the six winners who attended the credit union’s 78th annual meeting on May 16.

Amy Blanks, member since 2011, from San Antonio; attending the University of Texas at San Antonio; major: psychology.

Silas Espino, member since 2009, fromSan Antonio; attending the University of Texas at San Antonio; major: anthropology

Michaelina Guerra, member since 2010, from San Antonio; attending Texas A&M-San Antonio; major: kinesiology

2013 Bridge for U Scholarship winners & McCrary 78th ann meeting 1960

(photo) SACU Bridge for U Scholarship winners (L to R): Amy Blanks, Michaelina Guerro and Silas Espino. (Not shown: Kyla Barcenas, Ashley Baum and Andrea Rivas)

Unable to attend were:

Kyla Barcenas, member since 2012, from San Antonio; attending Texas A&M-San Antonio, major:  physical therapy

Ashley Baum, member since 2003, from Katy, Texas; attending Texas A&M, major: horticulture

Andrea Rivas, member since 2010, from San Antonio; attending Texas State University; major: visual studies.

SACU established The Bridge for U Scholarship in 2009 and has awarded more than $100,000 in scholarships since the program began. The funds can be used to defray the costs of tuition, books and lab fees and other education expenses. It is available annually to students who qualify. Watch for scholarship information through SACU publications. Visit sacu.com in November 2013 to access applications for the 2014-2015 academic year.

Funding for the SACU Bridge for U Scholarship is part of the credit union’s broader commitment to educational programs in the community, including 14 years as co-sponsor for the ExCEL Golden Apple Award for excellence in teaching and support for the Team-Up Challenge and High 5 Readers programs through the Spurs Silver and Black Give Back. SACU provides endowments at UT San Antonio, University of the Incarnate Word, Our Lady of the Lake University and the Alamo Colleges through the Jeffrey H. Farver Endowed Scholarship. It also supports scholarships through the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo sponsorship and provides an employee tuition reimbursement program.

SACU is a $2.9 billion credit union, with 16 locations in San Antonio and one in Houston. As a member-owned financial institution, SACU provides a wide array of convenient services to members through GOTM, the mobile app from SACU, and numerous online services. Members benefit through competitive savings and loan rates and reasonably priced financial services. There are hundreds of ways to qualify for membership at SACU. Visit sacu.com, or call 210-258-1234 or 1-800-688-SACU (7228) for information.

SACU and KENS TV recognize 19 teachers with the 14th annual ExCEL Awards program

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SACU logoSACU and KENS5 recognized 19 teachers for excellence in the public school classroom during the 14th year of ExCEL Awards program for the 2012-2013 school year. Winners selected by their districts represent the best teachers in our schools and, through this program, share their best practices with other educators.

SACU and KENS leaders hosted the winners, their principals and superintendents and their guests at an end-of-year banquet to celebrate the teachers’ successes. Paul Garro, CEO of City Year San Antonio, was the keynote speaker.

“SACU and KENS5 know that a great teacher can impact and inspire students to achieve much more than they dreamed possible,” Laura Johnston, SACU Chief Marketing Officer, said. “We can’t imagine a better way to impact education than to recognize great teachers and help them share the ways they are being highly effective in their classrooms.”

You can see the winners together on KENS5’s Great Day SA in August 2013, to announce the 15th year of ExCEL which resumes in September. Each winner also has an individual web page at sacu.com/ExCEL. On KENS5.com, view the winners’ videos or recognize your favorite teacher with a story and a photo.

Since 1999, the ExCEL program has recognized 266 teachers with awards totaling $269,800. ExCEL celebrates dedicated teachers with a trophy, a check for $1,000 and featured airtime on Eyewitness News at 6. By recognizing exceptional teachers, these educators can share their innovative techniques and others will be able to learn from their examples. Teachers win through collaboration, students win through quality education, and society wins as education improves.

SACU is a $2.9 billion credit union, with 16 locations in San Antonio and one in Houston. As a member-owned financial institution, SACU provides a wide array of convenient services to members through GOTM, the mobile app from SACU, and numerous online services. Members benefit through competitive savings and loan rates and reasonably priced financial services. There are hundreds of ways to qualify for membership at SACU. Visit sacu.com, or call 210-258-1234 or 1-800-688-SACU (7228) for information.

When personal service counts: SSFCU remodels multiple branches at member request

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Security Services Federal Credit UnionThe trend in banking these days is self-service…more kiosks, Internet banking, mobile apps. But Security Service Federal Credit Union members are speaking loud and clear. They want on-site, personal service, not necessarily the integration of bricks and clicks.

Before video tellers were all the rage…

When remote teller systems were first introduced by SSFCU more than 13 years ago (1999), they became a prototype for other credit unions across the country. The remote tellers offered increase security, reduced expenses and optimized efficiency, while bridging the gap between full-service and self-serve transactions, providing an alternative to more traditional teller lines.

But as technology improves through more accessible self-service options, SSFCU members made it clear they didn’t need or want the bridge anymore. They wanted personal service onsite with self-service options off site.

So, it’s a refocus on personal service and relationships…

SSFCUremodel

Listening, SSFCU recently completed renovating several branches, getting rid of remote tellers and going back to face-to-face, one-on-one banking. So far, in the San Antonio area, three branches are complete.

With a matching focus on the digital side…

Juxtaposing this move to more personal, relational service in its branches, SSFCU also recently launched its new online and mobile versions of myBranch digital banking services.

“The credit union just hit $7 billion in assets,” says president Jim Laffoon  “While we continue to grow, we never want to lose site of the most important part of our work – serving our members.”

Security Service launches new ad campaigns

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Security Services Federal Credit UnionSecurity Service Federal Credit Union today announced the launch of a new advertising campaign targeting bilingual, bicultural members and a second campaign focused on what great customer service feels like. The campaigns are comprised of several television and radio spots and billboards, showcasing both the expected and unexpected humor in life. Both campaigns were created by Austin-based Greatest Common Factory (GCF).

In the first campaign, a father of the bride laments in Spanish the cake his daughter wants “is bigger than my first house, the guest list is the phone book, and people are allergic to food – so we’re serving every food.” A Security Service teller reassures him in English, “you’ve planned and saved smart for this wedding; everything’s going to be fine.” She then expresses her condolences that she won’t be able to attend, prompting the gentleman to grasp her hands and say in English, “bless you.”  Watch the video at http://bit.ly/SSFCUwedding.

While the ad has also been produced in all-Spanish and all-English versions, “we recognize that many of our members are fluent in both English and Spanish and move fluidly between the two in everyday conversations,” said Greg Stroud, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Security Service.

“We actually wrote the script as two separate versions,” said John Trahar, GCF Co-founder and Creative Managing Partner. “As we went into pre-production, we decided to cut a version where the lines overlapped seamlessly. It really captured the reality of the relationship Security Service has with its members, the credit union’s understanding of what members need to succeed in life, and how its products and services can help.”

In a second ad, a harried mom sitting in her minivan at the Security Service drive thru reflects on a recent date night with her husband, complete with flowers, Champagne and “not a single chicken finger.” A Security Service teller tells her she “can make it” until the next weekend’s date, sending her some wet wipes through the pneumatic tube to mop up a drink hurled at her from the back seat. To view the ad, visit http://bit.ly/SSFCUdatenight.

The second series focuses on conveying the unexpected joy of being on the receiving end of really great customer service.

Each ad begins with a friendly Security Service spokesman saying he could try to describe a service product such as shared branching or mobile banking, but his use of air quotes suggests that bland, overused words won’t convey the emotional effect of his credit union’s offerings. “Service isn’t something you hear,” he intones, “it’s something you feel.”

One spot in the campaign then cuts to a child’s birthday party. The birthday boy swings at a large piñata hanging from a tree in the backyard. But instead of candy falling out, a shiny, new pickup truck drops to the ground. To view this ad, visit http://bit.ly/SSFCUpinata.

Another ad cuts to a scene of average-guy Gary approaching a romantic restaurant to meet Veronica, an out-of-his-league, website-made match. A slow jam plays as Gary meets the tall, friendly beauty. She smiles and utters a line that no online dater who has had a brush with reality has ever heard: “Your profile picture doesn’t do you justice, handsome.” See it at http://bit.ly/SSFCUonlinedate.

“Yep, feels like that,” each commercial concludes, cutting quickly back to the Security Service spokesman. The spot ends with the tagline: “Feel how banking’s supposed to feel. Feel it for yourself, at Security Service Federal Credit Union.”

“GCF really did an outstanding job helping us capture the feeling you get when your expectation for service is not only met, but exceeded,” said Stroud. “That’s something we strive for daily at Security Service.”

The ads are scheduled to air in three states: Texas, Colorado, and Utah. “With ads that run the gamut from puppies to piñatas, there’s something everyone can relate to as we share what service means to us,” he added.

About Security Service Federal Credit Union
Security Service Federal Credit Union offers competitive, affordable financial products and services designed to meet the needs of its members. Security Service is an industry-leading financial institution with more than $7 billion in assets and 70 locations in Texas, Colorado, and Utah. Headquartered in San Antonio, the credit union is among the top 10 credit unions in the nation and is the largest in San Antonio. Security Service strives to be America’s best credit union and provides the true benefits of credit union membership with financial services of the highest quality and value. Learn more at www.ssfcu.org or call 1-888-415-7878.

About Greatest Common Factory
GCF operates as an agency and a production company because lowering the barriers to production (communication, cost, time, red tape) lets us spend more time creating and improving content and less time meeting with outside teams about what might be possible. As a full-service agency, we can maintain a clear, consistent brand voice through each stage of a campaign, from ideation to execution. Simply put, we like to do more with less. We like to make things. Better. To learn more, visit http://gcfactory.com.

Security Service Federal Credit Union Awards $20k in Scholarships to Outstanding Students

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Security Services Federal Credit Union

Security Service Federal Credit Union (SSFCU) has awarded twenty high school seniors from Texas, Utah and Colorado with $1,000 scholarships for their college education.

“What better way to give back to our community than to support these bright, future leaders as they pursue their college educations?” said Jim Laffoon, Security Service FCU president.  “We select our recipients based on a strong academic record, well-rounded interests, a character of integrity and focused goals. Each of these students is outstanding in all these areas.”

SSFCU scholars

Cutline: (Back row – from left) Anthony Aktines; Cody Jones; Daniel Martinez; Jayme Greene; Lillian Byas; (middle row – from left) Gilbert Costello; Carolyn Mazuca; Natalie Cormier; (front row – from left) Shamzy Romero, SSFCU business development officer; Ilianna Walker; Hayley Morrill; Kelsey Wong; Brooke Strowd; and Jessica Leal, SSFCU senior communications specialist.

The student scholars honored were:

Cody Jones (Theodore Roosevelt HS, San Antonio, TX)
Carolyn Mazuca (Thomas Jefferson HS, San Antonio, TX)
Anthony Aktines III (Theodore Roosevelt HS, San Antonio, TX)
Noureen Rojani (Douglas MacArthur HS, San Antonio, TX)
Natalie Cormier (John Jay HS, San Antonio, TX)
Kelsey Wong (Tom Clark HS, San Antonio, TX)
Brooke Strowd (East Central HS, San Antonio, TX)
Mariah Cannon (John Jay HS, San Antonio, TX)
Lillian Hilliard Byas (James Madison HS, San Antonio, TX)
Hayley Morrill (Cole HS, San Antonio, TX)
Ilianna Walker (William H. Taft HS, San Antonio, TX)
Jayme Greene (Communication Arts HS, San Antonio, TX)
Maria Calderon (Edinburg HS, Edinburg, TX)
Gilbert Costello III (Hondo HS, Hondo, TX)
Daniel Martinez (Samuel Clemens HS, Schertz, TX)
Portia Loosli (Riverton HS, Riverton, UT)
Brian Likes, Jr. (Las Animas Secondary School, La Junta, CO)
Shelby Lange (Thomas B. Doherty HS, Colorado Springs, CO)
Ryan Hales (Springville HS, Springville, UT)
Anthony Jones (Pueblo HS, Pueblo, CO)

The awards are part of the SSFCU community scholarship program. Over the past 23 years, the credit union has presented in excess of $210,000 to more than 265 college-bound students.  The scholarships, which can be used to pay for tuition, books, lab fees and other related educational expenses, will help these outstanding students attain their educational objectives and professional goals.

ABOUT SSFCU
Security Service Federal Credit Union offers competitive, affordable financial products and services designed to meet the needs of its members. Security Service is an industry-leading financial institution with more than $7 billion in assets and 70 locations in Texas, Colorado and Utah. Headquartered in San Antonio, the credit union is among the top 10 credit unions in the nation and is the largest in San Antonio. Security Service strives to be America’s best credit union and provides the true benefits of credit union membership with financial services of the highest quality and value. Learn more at www.ssfcu.org or call 1-888-415-7878.

CUFBL, a division of SACU, Wins Regional Lender Award For Second Straight Year

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SACU logoCU Factory Built Lending (CUFBL) received the 2013 MHI Regional Lender of the Year Award for Manufactured and Modular Housing at the 2013 National Congress & Expo in Las Vegas, NV, winning the award for the second consecutive year.  A division of SACU (San Antonio Federal Credit Union), CUFBL specializes in financing for manufactured homes in more than 40 states.

Barry Noffsinger, Sales and Marketing Manager of the East Region, and John Walters, Sales and Marketing Manager of the West Region, accepted the award on behalf of CUFBL. The company received this honor because of their outstanding performance as the regional lender that best contributes to product innovation, provides the best response to meet customer needs, contributes to the well-being of the manufactured housing lending industry and demonstrates ethical and prudent lending practices.

CUFBL - 2013 Regional Lender of the Year Award 4-17-13

CU Factory Built Lending representatives (L) Barry Nofsinger, East Region Sales & Marketing Manager, and (R) John Walters, West Region Sales & Marketing Manager, accept the 2013 MHI Regional Lender of the Year Award at the 2013 National Congress and Expo for Manufactured and Modular Housing.

CUFBL was recognized for its continued focus on innovation by developing new programs such as The Equity Edge, which offers even lower rates for customers who have down payments greater than 35%, a Land in Lieu Program that allows customers to use the equity in their land toward their down payment, a Land/Home Program that eliminates the need for a construction loan , a Community Lending Platform that allows communities to continue to finance homes “in-house” while being SAFE Act compliant and a Park Model Program.

“CUFBL is extremely pleased to be recognized again for this prestigious award.  Our team of dedicated professionals continues to work very hard to serve the industry and ensure our loan products add to the value proposition of choosing manufactured housing.  We are excited to share this award with our team and remain appreciative of their efforts, which make this recognition possible.” Anthony Ross, SACU Senior General Manager of Indirect Lending, said.

Since 2003, CUFBL has helped meet the growing demand for financing in the manufactured housing market, with regional offices in Greensboro, NC; San Antonio, TX; Seattle, WA; and Fairfax, VT; serving current and prospective manufactured home owners across the United States.

CUFBL is a division of SACU, a $2.9 billion credit union, serving more than 250,000 members in San Antonio and Houston, Texas, and in communities across the country through CUFBL, its manufactured housing division. For information, please contact Dave Soper, Sales and Marketing Analyst, at toll free 1-866-279-1899 Ext. 6683 or dsoper@sacu.com.

Security Service Federal Credit Union Launches Mobile App

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Security Services Federal Credit UnionIn less than a month after the soft launch of Security Service Federal Credit Union’s (SSFCU) mobile app, more than 7,000 members have signed up and logged in on their iPhones and Androids. With the introduction of myBranch Mobile, members can now use their phones to check account balances, get transaction details, pay bills and transfer funds. The app also includes a GPS-based locator that provides details on the nearest branch or ATM.

“Our plan is to keep developing relevant mobile functionality as fast as we can to keep pace with our members’ on-the-go digital lifestyles,” says Mike Chapman, chief operating officer and executive vice president for SSFCU.

There are several safety features built in including the ability to send an alert when a charge to a credit card or ATM withdrawal exceeds a certain amount or when an account balance gets low. The ability to remotely deposit checks will be added to the iPhone and Android apps later this year.

SSFCU myBranch Mobile is available for download for iPhone and Android in iTunes or Google Play, as well as in a mobile browser version.

About SSFCU
Security Service Federal Credit Union offers competitive, affordable financial products and services designed to meet the needs of its members. Security Service is an industry-leading financial institution with more than $7 billion in assets and operates 70 locations in Texas, Colorado and Utah. Headquartered in San Antonio, the credit union is among the top 10 credit unions in the nation and is the largest in San Antonio. Security Service strives to be America’s best credit union and provides the true benefits of credit union membership with financial services of the highest quality and value. Learn more at www.ssfcu.org or call 1-888-415-7878.

SACU will host the 11th Annual Shred Day on Saturday, April 20

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SACU logoSACU and ARMA volunteers will provide free secure shredding services to individuals at six SACU branches on Saturday, April 20, from 9 am – 12 noon, or until the trucks are filled. Branches include Main, 281/1604, Bandera, Ingram, Southside and Windsor. Visit sacu.com to find the branch location nearest you.

Sponsors with SACU are ARMA, WOAI News 4 and six commercial shred companies: Marshall Shredding, Iron Mountain, recall, Cintas, Ranger and Compass.

Shredding sensitive documents helps thwart ID thieves and benefits the environment by saving trees and reducing landfills. At Shred Day over the past 10 years, San Antonio residents  securely shredded 335 tons of paper. One ton of recycled paper saves 17 trees, 7,000 gallons of water, 3 cubic yards of landfill space and enough energy to heat an average home for 6 months, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency.

SACU is a $2.9 billion credit union, with 16 locations in San Antonio and one in Houston. The credit union provides outstanding service at every touch point and convenience through GOTM, the mobile app from SACU, numerous online services and a network of ATMs in greater San Antonio. It provides benefits to members through competitive yields on savings, lower loan rates, and reasonably priced financial services. There are hundreds of ways to qualify for membership at SACU. Visit sacu.com, or call (210) 258-1234 or 1-800-688-SACU (7228) for information.

Antique, Classic and Street Rod Cars Rev Up for Charity

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Security Services Federal Credit UnionSecurity Service Federal Credit Union is proud to fuel the Texas Bowties First Generation Camaro Club’s Third Annual Spring Open Car Show as its title sponsor. Steer your way to this family-friendly event on Sunday, April 14, 2013 at Ancira Winton Chevrolet, 6111 Bandera Road, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Once there, you’ll want to race straight to the lot full of sweet rides from the winner’s circle, including Camaro, Corvette, Chevelle, Chevy, Mustang, Mopar, street rod, trucks, antiques, and more.

The event is free and open to the public, but bring some extra cash for food to keep the little ones tuned up, to purchase raffle tickets that will put you in the fast lane for $1,000 cash or an iPad3 and to stock up on swag, like t-shirts.

It all rolls for a good cause. Proceeds from the show benefit The Magdalena House, which serves low-income, San Antonio area women and children escaping abusive and dangerous situations.

SSFCU OpenCarShow pic

The Texas Bowties are car afficionados who are driven to restore first generation (1967-1969) Camaros. To date, they have wheeled out more than $20,000 to local charities through its events.

For more information call 210-494‐9291 or visit www.texasbowties.com. To purchase raffle tickets, email texasbowties@yahoo.com.

Security Service Federal Credit Union Reaches $7 Billion in Assets

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Security Services Federal Credit UnionSecurity Service Federal Credit Union (SSFCU) officials today announced the credit union has reached $7 billion in assets. Headquartered in San Antonio, SSFCU officials attribute the credit union’s success to its conservative business principles, sound lending and controlled growth over the last several years, its quality service to members along with competitive products and services, and its convenient service delivery channels.

“Security Service is fortunate to be in such a positive position,” says Jim Laffoon, SSFCU president. “The trust and loyalty we have received from our members over the years and the service our employees provide them have played key roles in our credit union’s success.”

Security Service is the eighth largest credit union in the nation and is also the largest credit union in Texas, Colorado and Utah where it operates 70 locations.

Callahan & Associates, Inc. has named SSFCU for more than 10 consecutive years the number one indirect auto lender among credit unions in the nation.

“We plan tomove forward at full speed focusing on building new capabilities and addingproduct offerings that will be relevant to our current members and those that will become Security Service members,” adds Laffoon.  “We have a vision to become America’s best credit union – we are working toward that goal by becoming a little better everyday with a new attitude and a genuine desire to win.”

Laffoon assumed the role as president of Security Service in December of 2012.

He plans to move the credit union forward with goals to improve workforce advocacy, innovation, and competitiveness in the financial services industry.

Established in 1956 in San Antonio at Kelly Air Force Base with eight members and $25 in deposits, Security Service Federal Credit Union reached its first $1 billion in assets in 1995.

About Security Service Federal Credit Union
Security Service Federal Credit Union offers competitive, affordable financial products and services designed to meet the needs of its members. Security Service is an industry-leading financial institution, serving members in Texas, Colorado, Utah, and around the world. The credit union is among the top 10 credit unions in the nation and is the largest in San Antonio where it is headquartered. Security Service strives to be America’s best credit union and provides its members the true benefits of credit union membership with financial services of the highest quality and value. Learn more at www.ssfcu.org or call 1-888-415-7878.