LAS VEGAS–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 here later this month.
The awards are scheduled to be presented by each respective deputy assistant secretary at the Military Awards Luncheon during DCUC’s Annual meeting. Being recognized are:
- FirstLight FCU, Fort Bliss, Texas, is being recognized by the Department of the Army for its 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.
- Navy FCU’s branch at Naval Station Mayport, Fla., is being recognized by the Department of the Navy in the $1-billion in assets and above category, the branch was recognized for its staunch support of on-base financial education to include giving 51 presentations to over 3,200 Sailors and their families, DoD personnel, and contractors. It was also recognized for its heavy focus on predatory lending prevention pairing with the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society to provide financial counseling.
- Pacific Marine CU, Camp Pendleton, Calif., is being recognized as the Navy Credit Union of the Year in the category of $1-billion and below in assets. PMCU was honored for its continuous efforts to reach out to the community, either voluntarily or monetarily, routinely or in times of need. Pacific Marine was specifically cited for its 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.
- 1st Liberty FCU at Malmstrom AFB, Mont., is being recognized by the Department of the Air Force in the under $1-bllion 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 its 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, is being named the Air Force’s top CU in the above $1-bllion category. The credit union was selected for its 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 rates for deployed members, members with 20 years of service, and decorated veterans.