First-responder Credit Union Newsroom

BILOXI, Miss.— With the federal government shutdown now entering its second week, an increasing number of credit unions across the country are offering relief and financial assistance. All indications are the shutdown is no closer to ending than it has been since it began on Oct. 1. While the House has passsed a continuing resolution (CR) to fund government operations in the short term, the Senate remains at an impasse, even as it has scheduled a vote for today. In addition to the earlier assistance reported by the CU Daily  here , the latest pledges to support members include: • In Biloxi, Miss., Keesler FCU said it is offering paycheck relief for all eligible federal employees affected by the shutdown and will advance the amount of direct deposit paychecks for eligible members during the shutdown for up to 90 days. There is no cost or fee to enroll in the program. • In Nebraska, Cobalt Credit Union is offering furloughed members loans of up to $5,000 with no fees or interest...

  Retiring at 30     FIRE, 101 Most US workers aim to retire around age 65—but for many followers of the FIRE movement, which stands for “ financial independence, retire early ,” that’s not the case. FIRE followers, who range from low- to high-income workers, typically prioritize high savings rates, relatively frugal living, and aggressive investing strategies in an effort to work less and enjoy life more in the long-term ( see five distinct approaches ). While many proponents argue that the movement is more of a mindset about achieving financial freedom than any ...

Spokane Firefighters Credit Union Big Enough to Serve. Small Enough to Care. This year’s recipient of the CUNorthwest Todd A. Powell Award is SFCU CEO Gayle Furness. Like Todd, Gayle has been instrumental in the growth, as well as the safety and soundness, of the credit union. Congrats to Gayle for living up to the standard that Todd created for our organization and the greater credit union community. __ ________________________________ Check out NCOFCU's additional features: First Responder Credit Union Academy Podcasts YouTube Mini's Blog Job Board

WASHINGTON— What credit unions and their trade groups had warned about earlier this week has now come to pass: the government has shut down after lawmakers failed to reach a budget deal by the Tuesday midnight EST deadline. iStock-wildpixel White House budget director Russell Vought on Tuesday evening ordered federal agencies to activate their shutdown plans after Senate Democrats blocked a Republican proposal to keep the government funded past midnight, POLITICO reported. Russell Vought In a memo, Vought instructed department and agency heads to “execute their plans for an orderly shutdown,” formally triggering the first federal government closure since President Donald Trump’s initial term, POLITICO said. The order triggers furloughs for hundreds of thousands of federal employees and halts a broad array of government services. In recent days, agencies have outlined which positions and programs will be considered essential and continue operating despite the funding lapse. Separately, ...

Judy Delucca  Honored as  the National Council of Firefighter Credit Unions Inc ( NCOFCU )  "Lifetime Achievement Award" Key West, Florida, 9/25/25 – The National Council of Firefighter Credit Unions, Inc. (NCOFCU) is proud to announce that Judy Delucca, CEO of the New Orleans Firemen's Federal Credit Union, was honored with the NCOFCU "Lifetime Achievement Award". Today, under her leadership, New Orleans Firemen’s Federal Credit Union has grown to 11 branch locations across southeast Louisiana and southern Mississippi. It has been recognized as a Best Place to Work and a Best Credit Union for four consecutive years. The credit union now offers a comprehensive range of financial products, including checking accounts, mortgages, credit cards, IRAs, and more. As a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), it remains dedicated to serving the 35 parishes of underserved and underbanked communities, as well as over 500 select employee groups, while continuin...

  Market Downturns       A brief look at recessions Stemming from the Latin word “recessus” (meaning “a retreat”), recessions are sustained periods of declining activity in a country’s economy. During a recession, unemployment rises while economic output falls across a large swath of industries. Recessions are inevitable in modern economies , with one occurring about every six to seven years.   One common definition of a recession is when a country logs two consecutive quarters   of shrinking gross domestic product, but in practice, these econo...

Announcing the First Class of Certified Credit Union Professionals (CCUP) Key West, Florida – The National Council of Firefighter Credit Unions Inc. (NCOFCU) is thrilled to announce the inaugural class of Certified Credit Union Professionals (CCUP), taking a significant step towards advancing the standards of professionalism and expertise in credit union governance. This elite certification program, launched during the NCOFCU annual educational conference, provides participants with a unique opportunity to enhance their professional development, gain specialized training, and expand their network while receiving guidance from industry leaders. Over the course of two years, participants will have engaged in comprehensive sessions covering critical topics such as governance best practices, regulatory compliance, risk management, and strategic planning. "Earning the CCUP certification signifies a professional's 2-year commitment to excellence and continuous learning in cred...