NORTH HAVEN, Conn.—Five members of Connex Credit Union here have been recognized as winners following a six-month long financial fitness challenge. The “ConneXfactor financial fitness challenge” awarded Nicholas Matteis, a North Haven, Conn. resident and junior at Southern Connecticut State University, with the top prize of $3,000 for his participation in the second annual ConneXfactor competition.
ConneXfactor is a contest in which five Connex Credit Union members competed to see who can improve their financial situation the most by setting and meeting specific goals. Each participant was assigned a dedicated Financial Advocate or “coach” who provided financial tips and techniques to improve personal finances. Their successes were documented and closely monitored for the entire contest. A panel of judges reviewed each contestant’s progress to determine the winners.
“I am ecstatic that I won,” said Matteis in a statement released by the credit union. “However, what is most important is that ConneXfactor taught me how to be more thoughtful and wiser with my personal finances. Working together with Connex, I was able to stick to a new budget plan, prioritize my finances, create an emergency savings account and ultimately reduce my debt. This contest was a life-changing opportunity that really helped put me in a better place.”
Matteis was presented with an oversized check for the grand prize of $3,000 at the recognition ceremony held at Connex’s branch in Orange, Connecticut. The first prize winner was Frances Blue from Hamden, Conn., who received $1,000. Stephanie Sands of Orange, Conn., took home the $500 second-place prize.
“I congratulate Nicholas, Frances and Stephanie on a job well done,” said Frank Mancini, president and CEO of Connex Credit Union. “I am very pleased that we were able to help each of the participating families in the competition create a path to a better financial future. ConneXfactor is a prime example of our customer advocacy program and commitment to helping our members achieve a better economic situation. In this competition, every participant is a winner as they all walk away with a wealth of knowledge that will vastly improve their financial futures.”