Industry Press
The Press Center allows credit unions and their partners to share important news and keep accomplishments front and center in the credit union industry.
State Employees’ Credit Union Kicks Off Its Annual Holiday Toy Drive
State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) is pleased to announce the kickoff of its fourth annual statewide Toy Drive to help spread the joy of the holiday season to local children and families. The drive is happening now through Friday, December 5, 2025, with all 275 SECU branches serving as drop-off sites for the event.
Safelight, Inc. Receives $500,000 Grant from SECU Foundation for Domestic Violence Shelter Expansion
SECU Foundation is pleased to announce a $500,000 grant to Safelight, Inc. for the expansion of the non-profit’s domestic violence shelter in Henderson County. The expansion will allow Safelight to serve an additional 150 individuals annually with programs and services that are offered free-of-charge in a secure, safe environment conducive to recovery.
SECU Foundation Grants $350,000 to Imprints Cares to Support New Family Resource Center
SECU Foundation has announced a $350,000 grant to Imprints Cares (IC) for the renovation of a Forsyth County property that will become the non-profit’s new family resource center. The facility will serve as its central hub for family support services and will double IC’s capacity for onsite learning inclusion programs and provide new community programming
SECU Foundation Awards Peacehaven Farm, Inc. $1 Million for Community Center and Campus Expansion
SECU Foundation has awarded Peacehaven Farm, Inc. in Guilford County with a $1 million grant for the construction of a new community center to help support their work for people with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (I/DD). The center will be part of a multi-phase expansion that will also include housing, a healthcare clinic, and an expanded farming
SECU Foundation Awards $170,000 Grant to Carolinas Foundation for Hospice and Home Care
SECU Foundation recently awarded a $170,000 grant to Carolinas Foundation for Hospice and Home Care (CFHHC) to assist with the development and implementation of a standardized training curriculum and onboarding model for personal care aides. The project will help address the critical need for qualified care aides and improve the retention of employees in the
SECU Foundation Awards $300,000 Grant to Legal Aid of NC to Expand Services in Rural Areas
SECU Foundation recently announced a $300,000 grant to Legal Aid of NC (LANC). The funding will support the software development and statewide implementation of its Innovation Lab, helping to bridge the rural-urban divide for access to legal services in rural North Carolina communities.
SECU Foundation Awards Western Youth Network $1.5 Million Grant for New Resource Center
SECU Foundation has announced a $1.5 million challenge grant for Western Youth Network (WYN) to assist with the construction of a new youth resource center to serve residents in the five-county High Country region of North Carolina. The addition will allow the non-profit to expand their continuum of care for students from kindergarten through twelfth
SECU Joins North Carolina Governor’s Office for 2025 School Supply Drive to Benefit Teachers and Students
State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) is pleased to announce its continued support for the annual Governor’s School Supply Drive, which kicked off Wednesday morning with an announcement by Governor Josh Stein at SECU’s Salisbury Street office in downtown Raleigh. This is the seventh year SECU branches have served as collection sites for the Drive to
SECU Awards Summer Camp Scholarships to 457 Youth Members Statewide
State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) has concluded its fourth annual Summer Camp Awards campaign, granting $500 scholarships to 457 young members throughout North Carolina. Recipients were selected through random drawings, with one FAT CAT® and one Zard® winner per branch from all eligible entries. The scholarships will be used for the registration costs and associated
SECU Foundation Awards Grace Clinic of Yadkin Valley with $600,000 Grant for New Medical Facility
SECU Foundation has announced a $600,000 challenge grant for Grace Clinic of Yadkin Valley (GCYV) to assist with the construction of a new medical facility in Elkin, North Carolina. The 7,125 square-foot clinic will allow the non-profit to greatly expand services in its four-county region and increase capacity to serve over 600 patients annually.
SECU Foundation Grants $500,000 to Raleigh Rescue Mission for New Campus to Help Address Homelessness
SECU Foundation has awarded a $500,000 challenge grant to Raleigh Rescue Mission (RRM) to support the non-profit’s construction of a new campus in Knightdale for women and children experiencing homelessness. The future 100-room facility will provide long-term transitional housing for up to 350 women and children as well as a child development center.
SECU Foundation Awards $480,000 in Mission Development Grants to Support 12 North Carolina Non-profits
SECU Foundation is pleased to announce its first cohort of Mission Development Grant (MDG) recipients for 2025, welcoming 12 new organizations to the program including non-profits in three counties – Chowan, Currituck, and Franklin – that are receiving first-time funding outside of scholarships and loans. The new grantees are working to address domestic violence and
SECU Foundation Awards $500,000 to Helpmate for Domestic Violence Shelter in Buncombe County
A $500,000 grant awarded by SECU Foundation will contribute toward the construction of a new shelter for Western North Carolina’s largest service provider for domestic violence survivors, Helpmate, increasing the current space to support 475 adults and children annually.
State Employees’ Credit Union Announces 2025 Community Shred Day Events
State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) has announced the 2025 dates for its statewide Shred Day program. This year, 24 events are planned and will be open to the public at no cost to provide a convenient way to dispose of sensitive documents that are no longer needed.
C.W. Williams Community Health Center Awarded $500,000 Grant for New Medical Facility in Charlotte
SECU Foundation has awarded a $500,000 capital grant to C.W. Williams Community Health Center (CWWCHC) to support the construction of a new medical facility that will serve low-income and uninsured residents in a nine-county region of southwest North Carolina. The new facility will expand the non-profit’s reach to 25,000 patients annually, a 92% capacity increase.
SECU Foundation Honored with CCUF Hero Award for Partner in Philanthropy
SECU Foundation has been named a recipient of the 2024 Carolinas Credit Union Foundation (CCUF) Hero Award for Partner in Philanthropy. The award honors the Foundation’s commitment and practices that exude philanthropic character and affirm the credit union People Helping People® philosophy.
SECU Foundation Initiates Phase Three Disaster Relief Package of $3.45 Million for Western North Carolina
The SECU Foundation Board of Directors approved a third phase of Hurricane Helene disaster relief funding totaling $3.45 million for seven non-profit organizations assisting residents and communities in Western North Carolina (WNC). The funding will help address long-term housing needs, resources for at-risk groups, and organizational capacity to meet increased demand for services.
SECU Foundation Awards $2 Million Grant to Support Expansion of the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher
SECU Foundation has awarded a $2 million capital grant to the North Carolina Aquarium Society, contributing to the expansion of the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher (NCAFF). The development project will increase the interactive space at the state’s most visited aquarium and include a new education center to serve North Carolina students.
SECU Foundation Awards $500,000 Grant for Expansion of Community Crossroads Center in Pitt County
Community Crossroads Center (CCC) has been awarded a $500,000 challenge grant by SECU Foundation to help expand its campus in Pitt County. The construction of a new Homeless Resource Center and renovation of CCC’s current facility will enable the non-profit to increase shelter space and comprehensive services for individuals experiencing homelessness.
SECU Foundation Awards Grant to Foster Family Alliance of North Carolina to Support Enhanced Training and Onboarding
SECU Foundation recently awarded Foster Family Alliance of North Carolina (FFA-NC) a $300,000 grant for the development and implementation of a new centralized software system to support its advocacy and work for foster children. The platform will provide a statewide focus for managing professional trainings, certifications, and enhanced onboarding to help improve the enlistment and
SECU Foundation Initiates Phase Two Disaster Relief Package of $1.75 Million for Western North Carolina
SECU Foundation’s Board of Directors approved a phase two disaster relief package with an additional $1.75 million in grants to three organizations, providing intermediate assistance to the hardest hit residents and communities impacted by Hurricane Helene. Funds awarded will help address temporary housing needs, financial crises, and food insecurity.
SECU Foundation Supports North Carolina Museum of Art Foundation’s Artist Innovation Mentorship Program
SECU Foundation has announced a $300,000 grant to the North Carolina Museum of Art (NCMA) Foundation to help expand its Artist Innovation Mentorship (AIM) program for middle school youth in rural and underserved areas of North Carolina. With the expansion, the AIM program can reach 1,200 youth annually and by 2028 can serve 50 counties
SECU Kicks Off Statewide Beautification Initiative with Keep North Carolina Beautiful
State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) and Keep North Carolina Beautiful (KNCB) recently teamed up for a statewide beautification initiative, which kicked off with a litter pickup event along Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in High Point. The effort brought together local affiliate Keep High Point Beautiful and SECU volunteers whose work will help prevent litter
SECU Foundation Awards $1 Million to TROSA for Expansion of Durham Campus
SECU Foundation continues its support for the non-profit TROSA (Triangle Residential Options for Substance Abusers, Inc.) with a $1 million capital grant to support the expansion of its Durham campus that will provide an additional 90 licensed treatment beds and 17 new rooms for therapy and education.
SECU’s Leigh Brady Named to 2024 Most Powerful Women in Credit Unions List by American Banker
American Banker has named State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) President and CEO Leigh Brady as one of the “Most Powerful Women in Credit Unions” for the second consecutive year. She sits atop the 2024 list. Issued annually, it recognizes women who are addressing the problems and opportunities that their organizations and members face while serving
SECU’s Annual Statewide Toy Drive is Happening Now
State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) is excited to announce that its third annual statewide Toy Drive is officially underway and will continue through December 6. All 275 branches will serve as drop-off sites for the drive to help spread the joy of the holiday season to local children and families.
Lucy Daniels Center Receives $750,000 Grant for Youth Mental Health Facility and Resource Center
SECU Foundation has awarded a $750,000 challenge grant to Lucy Daniels Center (LDC) for the construction of a youth mental health facility and resource center at its campus headquarters in Cary. The new wing will allow the non-profit to triple its current patient capacity for therapeutic services and support.
SECU Foundation Awards $1 Million to SPCA Wake for State’s First Regional Campus for Pets & People
A $1 million challenge grant from SECU Foundation to SPCA of Wake County (SPCA Wake) will help the largest animal welfare organization in North Carolina establish a Regional Campus for Pets & People. The site will serve as a community hub to expand affordable pet care services and will include a new Learning Center that
SECU Members Benefit from Suncoast Credit Union Mobile ATM During Storm Recovery
Florida-based Suncoast Credit Union generously provided State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) with a mobile ATM to help support the financial needs of its members and area residents affected by Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina (WNC). The mobile ATM offers 24-hour availability and is currently located at SECU’s Asheville-Oak Plaza Branch, which is without a
SECU Foundation Donates $3.75 Million in Disaster Relief to Aid Western North Carolina Communities
In response to the catastrophic flooding, landslides, and widespread destruction in Western North Carolina from Hurricane Helene, the SECU Foundation Board of Directors approved a $3.75 million disaster relief package to assist communities affected.
Vizo Financial’s December 2025 Education Calendar
From Excellence to Legacy: CUES Names 2025 Award Honorees and Hall of Fame Inductee
Maine Credit Unions Surpass October Fundraising Goal to Fight Food Insecurity
EECU Celebrates Fresno County Educator of the Year Awards
Baker Market Update – Week in Review: November 21, 2025
SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union Wins Three Awards from the Marketing Association of Credit Unions
ebankIT and Alogent join forces to transform digital banking and payments for financial institutions
CRIF Celebrated on Nasdaq Tower for Advancing Credit Union and Auto Dealer Partnerships
Hancock Federal Credit Union Signs with Synergent for New Core and Technology Agreements
SAFE Credit Union to Combine with BECU
GARDEN SAVINGS FEDERAL CREDIT UNION RAISES $15,000 FOR BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF COASTAL AND NORTHERN NEW JERSEY
Silver State Schools Credit Union Selects Chris Dickman as CFO
FOURLEAF FEDERAL CREDIT UNION TRIPLES INDIRECT LENDING VOLUME AND EXPANDS NATIONALLY WITH ORIGENCE TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS AND LENDING SERVICES
LAFCU welcomes new additions to its marketing team
InterLutions Adds Passionate Service Leader Amy Pals to Support Growing Credit Union Network
Redwood Credit Union and SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union Host an International Delegation of Industry Leaders
Baker Market Update – Week in Review: November 14, 2025
Cloudvirga’s Loan Hub equips loan teams with modern tools for managing pipelines, tasks and borrower communication
One Nevada Ranked #1 Credit Union to Work for in 2025
Washington State College Students Innovate at First Hackathon Hosted By Sound Credit Union and UW Tacoma
Early-Bird Registration Now Open for 2026 ALM First Financial Institute
RCU donates $59,000 to expand access to healthy food for International Credit Union Day
Advia Credit Union Responds to Nationwide SNAP Benefit Reductions with Community Support
Meriwest Credit Union Officially Launches Meriwest Insurance Services
State Employees’ Credit Union Kicks Off Its Annual Holiday Toy Drive
For Immediate Release – Humanidei Welcomes Katy Zaleski as Leadership & Organizational Development Consultant
ALM First Wins Top Workplaces Culture Excellence Award
Mid-Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union Selects Razi Qadri as President/CEO
Baker Market Update – Week in Review: November 07, 2025
FAMILY TRUST FEDERAL CREDIT UNION NAMED BEST MORTGAGE LENDER/BROKER IN THE POST AND COURIER’S BEST OF YORK COUNTY AWARDS
Vizo Financial’s December 2025 Education Calendar
From Excellence to Legacy: CUES Names 2025 Award Honorees and Hall of Fame Inductee
Maine Credit Unions Surpass October Fundraising Goal to Fight Food Insecurity
EECU Celebrates Fresno County Educator of the Year Awards
Baker Market Update – Week in Review: November 21, 2025
SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union Wins Three Awards from the Marketing Association of Credit Unions
ebankIT and Alogent join forces to transform digital banking and payments for financial institutions
CRIF Celebrated on Nasdaq Tower for Advancing Credit Union and Auto Dealer Partnerships
Hancock Federal Credit Union Signs with Synergent for New Core and Technology Agreements
SAFE Credit Union to Combine with BECU
GARDEN SAVINGS FEDERAL CREDIT UNION RAISES $15,000 FOR BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF COASTAL AND NORTHERN NEW JERSEY
Silver State Schools Credit Union Selects Chris Dickman as CFO
FOURLEAF FEDERAL CREDIT UNION TRIPLES INDIRECT LENDING VOLUME AND EXPANDS NATIONALLY WITH ORIGENCE TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS AND LENDING SERVICES
LAFCU welcomes new additions to its marketing team
InterLutions Adds Passionate Service Leader Amy Pals to Support Growing Credit Union Network
Redwood Credit Union and SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union Host an International Delegation of Industry Leaders
Baker Market Update – Week in Review: November 14, 2025
Cloudvirga’s Loan Hub equips loan teams with modern tools for managing pipelines, tasks and borrower communication
One Nevada Ranked #1 Credit Union to Work for in 2025
Washington State College Students Innovate at First Hackathon Hosted By Sound Credit Union and UW Tacoma
Early-Bird Registration Now Open for 2026 ALM First Financial Institute
RCU donates $59,000 to expand access to healthy food for International Credit Union Day
Advia Credit Union Responds to Nationwide SNAP Benefit Reductions with Community Support
Meriwest Credit Union Officially Launches Meriwest Insurance Services
State Employees’ Credit Union Kicks Off Its Annual Holiday Toy Drive
For Immediate Release – Humanidei Welcomes Katy Zaleski as Leadership & Organizational Development Consultant
ALM First Wins Top Workplaces Culture Excellence Award
Mid-Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union Selects Razi Qadri as President/CEO
Baker Market Update – Week in Review: November 07, 2025
FAMILY TRUST FEDERAL CREDIT UNION NAMED BEST MORTGAGE LENDER/BROKER IN THE POST AND COURIER’S BEST OF YORK COUNTY AWARDS
Vizo Financial’s December 2025 Education Calendar
From Excellence to Legacy: CUES Names 2025 Award Honorees and Hall of Fame Inductee
Maine Credit Unions Surpass October Fundraising Goal to Fight Food Insecurity
EECU Celebrates Fresno County Educator of the Year Awards
Baker Market Update – Week in Review: November 21, 2025
SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union Wins Three Awards from the Marketing Association of Credit Unions