“Great things happen when credit unions serving first responders come together. Our face-to-face and online interaction is the platform where collaboration begins, and GREAT ideas are generated”
Wednesday, December 24, 2014
Thursday, December 4, 2014
We Need Your Input! Breakout Sessions for our 2015 Conference?
The 2015 conference committee would like to offer separate breakout sessions at our Nashville 2015 conference. The times that we have open are Wednesday (7th) 4pm and Thursday (8th) 4pm.
These will be in addition to the regular conference schedule and based upon meeting a minimum attendee requirement.
To meet your requirements as directors, we hope to provide certification in the subjects listed.
Attached is a conference schedule link for your review. 
Your response to the following 2 questions would be very helpful in our planning. You are not obligated by completing this survey.
Please reply with your comments.
Tuesday, November 25, 2014
Overlooked Colorado law opened door to pot credit union charter - The Denver Post
If not for a quirky bit of law passed by Colorado legislators 33 years ago, during the dawn of the savings and loan crisis, the world's first credit union for the marijuana industry would not have been a possibility so soon.
Discovered by organizers of the Fourth Corner Credit Union soon after a morale-dropping phone call with federal regulators, the law appears to allow a credit union to open for business — perhaps as soon as Jan. 1 — while awaiting approval of required federal insurance.
Overlooked Colorado law opened door to pot credit union charter - The Denver Post
Monday, November 24, 2014
Firefighters Community Credit Union banking on Lorain County with latest addition - Cleveland Business News - Northeast Ohio and Cleveland - Crain's Cleveland Business
Firefighters Community Credit Union in Cleveland is continuing expansion efforts with its first foray into Lorain County at the end of the year via its acquisition of Sun Center Federal Credit Union of LaGrange.The transaction takes effect Dec. 31, pending regulatory approvals. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
The deal is rooted in succession planning for Sun, from which CEO Brenda Hammond will retire in December, and in strategic planning for Firefighters, where board members have been pushing the credit union to continue expanding its geographic footprint and bolstering membership since the adoption of its community charter in 2005. Firefighters, which currently serves Lake and Cuyahoga counties, will take over operations of Sun's five Lorain County locations. The deal has been in the works since spring.
Firefighters will add $35 million in assets, about 4,000 members and 18 employees with the merger, said CEO Ben Laurendeau. The deal will take Firefighters to $235 million in assets with about 32,000 members and 80 employees.
Mergers of credit unions have become increasingly common since the end of the Great Recession, Laurendeau said, especially for Firefighters, which is completing its fourth acquisition in about as many years in the transaction with Sun.
“It's just very difficult for a small credit union to survive with additional regulatory burdens (and) aging memberships. ... There are a lot of forces that make it hard to survive,” he said. “We want to be an active player, and so this is part of our growth and expansion strategy.”
The deal is bittersweet for Hammond, who has served members at Sun for more than 34 years. But it's in the best interest of the credit union's members, she said, and even employees who will now have further career opportunities.
“As regulatory compliance becomes more prevalent, more and more small credit unions across the United States are choosing to merge with much larger credit unions to be able to continue serving the membership that has made them successful,” Hammond said.
“With that being said, I felt that (Firefighters) was our best choice in our surrounding area,” she said. “Their focus is on excellent member service and creating loyalty as well. Sun Center FCU was in a position to select a partner that we felt mirrored our overall business plan, and fortunately Firefighters saw value in (Sun).”
Laurendeau predicted that consolidations will continue, based on factors including the need to attract younger members, the growing costs of meeting new regulations that smaller credit unions might find hard to absorb, and the looming retirements of leaders of many credit unions formed decades ago. He added that he's “pretty optimistic” another deal for Firefighters could materialize in 2015 that would bring the credit union into yet another new market. But those talks are early on. Firefighters' other mergers in recent years were also partly driven by retirements of the acquired credit unions' CEOs.
Laurendeau describes Firefighters as a “breakout” credit union partly because of its “very serious strategy” to establish itself as a “true community financial institution” with a broader footprint and expansive membership base.
“But we certainly are not attempting to put any credit unions out of business or steal other business from other credit unions,” he said.
Beyond accomplishing Firefighters' various growth goals of branches, members and assets, chief marketing officer Jennifer Norris said the acquisition of Sun benefits the latter's members by offering contemporary, technology-driven services like text and email alerts, remote deposit and a mobile app. Firefighters also is a member of a shared-branching network — a national network of credit unions that allows the cooperative sharing of more than 5,000 facilities across the country.
“This collaborative partnership will provide our Lorain County members much more technology, services and locations in our immediate area,” Hammond said. “In addition, it affords Firefighters members in Cuyahoga County the same benefits.”
Firefighters was founded in 1936 exclusively for members of its namesake safety force. The credit union opened membership up to all in 2005. But while the institution continues to evolve, there aren't any plans to change the name.
“The history and heritage of our credit union is very important to our board,” Laurendeau said.
Saturday, November 22, 2014
Firefighters host benefit hockey game for Nashville EMT
The benefit was for Maria Pothast, an EMT with the Nashville Fire Department, who has an inoperable brain tumor.
"Every bit of this money will go to Maria to help her offset some of her costs while she's out of work," said Mark Young, with International Association of Firefighters Local 140.
Volunteers helped sell tickets, t-shirts, blankets and raffle tickets for a chance to win a guitar autographed by Aaron Tippin.
The Nashville firefighters took the ice, but they weren't the only ones skating for a cause. Firefighters from South Bend, IN, traveled at their own expense to play the local team.
"We put the word out," Young said. "The hockey team made contact in South Bend. They were all in, as they always are. It's a great event.
"We are so thankful for our hockey team," Young added. "They don't expect anything. They are doing this, all volunteers. We hope they don't twist an ankle, but we're proud of the hockey team."
Anyone can contribute to an account that has been set up in Pothast's name at the Nashville Firemen's Credit Union.
Bonnie Sensing
Main Office
P.O. Box 60567
908 Woodland Street
Nashville, TN 37206
Phone: 615-226-3473
Wednesday, November 19, 2014
NCOFCU - We are now a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit!
Our work thus far without this designation was only possible through the tremendous support from our firefighter credit union community. Now, as an official 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, we can do So. Much. More. !!
You may be asking: “Like what?” Well, allow us to share with you:
- Apply for grants – before we were severely limited as most funders want you to be a non-profit organization in the eyes of the IRS
- Accept Interns – College students can receive credit to intern with us at our conferences
- Accept Donations -- both monetary and personal property – Thank you to those who personally donated without the tax exemption, but now you can not only claim some of your previous donations, but all of the ones you will make in the future
- Solicit Donations – Most large businesses and small businesses love the opportunity to give back, you just gotta ask! …. And provide your non-profit status. Done!
- Establish Endowment Funds -- for operational and scholarship programs
- Give firefighter credit unions the ability to invest in a Charitable Donation Account (CDA) Investment which funds charitable contributions, like us!
- Provide, through the above abilities, more conference/educational scholarships to credit union volunteers and staff members as well as assisting in the cost of the educational conference
So, where do you or a friends donate? Right here! :)
Grant J Sheehan
Executive Director
*The National Coalition of Firefighters Credit Unions, Inc. (NCOFCU) is a non-profit, 501(c) (3) charitable organization. Donors may deduct contributions as provided in IRC 170(c) (3) of the U.S. Tax Code.
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
“Happy Veterans Day”
“Thanksgiving” is a day when we pause to give thanks for what we have.
“Veterans Day” is a day when we pause to give thanks to the people who fought for the things we have!
Monday, November 10, 2014
Richmond Fire & Police Credit Unions Join Forces
Michael Schwartz BizSense
The latest in a string of local credit union mergers is looking to bring city police and firefighters under one roof.
A deal is in the works to merge The Richmond Fire Department Credit Union and Richmond Police Department Credit Union.
The resulting institution will have 2,500 members and $21 million in assets. It will be renamed Richmond Virginia Fire Police Credit Union.
The two sides filed for state approval for the deal on Oct. 31, according to State Corporation Commission records.
Richmond Police Department Credit Union chief executive Alice Pope said she was not prepared to comment on the deal.
Wallace Garland, CEO of the Fire Department Credit Union said he could not comment at this time.
Letters to members state the credit unions hope to have the merger closed by around the first of the new year. Members of both credit unions have already approved the merger.
The Richmond Police Department Credit Union is housed in the police headquarters downtown on Grace Street. Photo by Michael Schwartz.
The Fire Department Credit Union is headquartered temporarily out of a small office at 1634 Ownby Lane, just around the corner from Richmond Fire Station #10.
It was founded in the 1920s by a handful of Richmond firefighters and currently has 1,500 members and $15.1 million in assets. It produced a profit of $82,000 through the first three quarters of the year, according to its financials filed with the National Credit Union Administration. That followed a profit of $119,000 for the full year 2013.
Richmond Police Department Credit Union has 1,000 members and $6.18 million in assets. It was founded in 1934. It operates out of the Richmond Police headquarters building at 200 W. Grace St.
It’s operating at a loss of $92,000 through the first nine months of 2014 and was in the red by $19,000 for all of last year, according to its NCUA filings.
The police and fire department deal is one of several mergers involving local credit unions in the last few years.
Many have involved larger credit unions absorbing smaller peers that were struggling to stay afloat. Others were a combination of similarly sized institutions looking to mergers as a way to expand their reach.
Friday, November 7, 2014
“Biz Lending” for Firefighter Credit Unions
As a follow up to our very successful business lending breakout session in San Diego, I am posting what our sponsor “Biz Lending” can do for you.
Please contact Murray Halperin 561-393-3770 or email at murrayh@bizlendingcenter.com for more information.
Friday, October 31, 2014
Firefighters honored for heroic acts of bravery | Local News - WCVB Home
Fallen firefighter's children honored with dad's medal
BOSTON —Firefighters from 10 Massachusetts communities were honored Tuesday for heroic acts of bravery during the 25th annual "Firefighter of the Year" Awards ceremony.
The ceremony that was held at the John F. Kennedy Library and Museum in Boston also honored two Boston firefighters who died earlier this year in a Back Bay fire.
Firefighters honored for heroic acts of bravery | Local News - WCVB Home
Monday, October 27, 2014
Sunday, October 26, 2014
Credit Unions Dominate Apple Pay List
Firefighter credit unions on the list! check them out at: Quora, a user-sourced question and answer website.
On the launch day of Apple Pay, NCUA Vice Chairman Rick Metsger said the majority of financial institutions involved with the technology are credit unions.
“An initial list of financial institutions signed-up for Apple Pay on its launch day reveals that more than two-thirds are credit unions,” Metsger said in a keynote address to the American Institute of CPAs’ annual conference on credit unions in Denver Monday.
“This demonstrates that America’s credit unions are ready, willing and able to meet the needs of American consumers for secure mobile payment systems,” he added.
To date, Apple has not publicly released the names of participating financial institutions. However, a list recently surfaced on Quora, a user-sourced question and answer website. The unsourced list showed that the majority of the more than 500 financial institutions listed are credit unions.
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Ebola Preparedness and Firefighter Credit Unions
To all staff and volunteers,
The IAFF Has released the below video/s of interest to all firefighters and EMS personal related to Ebola education and response.
Since our credit unions serve those who are first responders, I felt it important to make these videos available to you, your staff and volunteers so that you can better understand any precautions your credit union should take. I am sure that NCUA will be checking your infection control policy, remember SARS?
Take a moment to watch and learn from these excellent presentations.
Grant Sheehan Executive Director
NCOFCU
What is Ebola: http://youtu.be/4cL-BZw6u3E
Stand Down Statement from IAFF GP: http://youtu.be/4AFtdMYI6tk
Additionally, the IAFC has provided an excellent resource page with links to; Background, Infection Control Guidance, Ebola Preparedness, http://www.iafc.org/ebola
Sunday, October 19, 2014
CUNA: 500 FIs commit to Apple Pay, says CEO Cook
News Now
500 FIs commit to Apple Pay, says CEO Cook
CUPERTINO, Calif. (10/17/14)--With commitments from 500 financial institutions, Apple said Thursday that Apple Pay, its much-discussed electronic wallet, will become available to U.S. consumers on Monday.
Through ApplePay, iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus use Touch ID for purchases in stores and within apps. Touch ID authorizes purchases using the device owner's fingerprint, which is also used to access the device. Users of the just-announced iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 3 will be able to use Touch ID on their devices for Apple Pay within apps. The new service will be enabled by a free software update to iOS 8.
Apple Pay is designed to protect the user's personal information. It doesn't collect any transaction information that can be tied back to a user, and payment transactions are between the user, the merchant and the user's bank. Apple doesn't collect purchase history. Actual card numbers are not stored on the device, instead, a unique device account number is created, encrypted and stored in the secure element of the device.
Apple Pay supports credit and debit cards from the three major payment networks: American Express, MasterCard and Visa.
CO-OP Financial Services is in active negotiations with Visa and MasterCard to bring the lowest aggregated issuer fees to credit unions ( News Now Sept. 11). Brookfield, Wis.-based Fiserv has said that all Fiserv-processed debit and credit issuers have tokenization capabilities--the security measure used by Apple Pay--available to them through the Visa Token Service and MasterCard Digital Enablement Service.
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
Firefighters Credit Unions San Diego Conference
Over 170 firefighters, credit union executives and their guests gathered in San Diego for NCOFCU’s annual meeting and conference. It was another very successful year with many comments, “the best ever!’Updates from Diana Dykstra CEO, CA League, Elizabeth Whitehead, Director Region V NCUA, Jennifer Stockett, Senior Advisor in the Office of Financial Institutions CFPB, Steve Rick, Chief Economist for CUNA Mutual Group, as well presentations from Kevin Mahan of CUBED, Prescott Ford, Managing Director Regulatory Affairs First Empire Securities, Inc. and credit union CEO’s combined with roundtable discussions on working loan products and services made the conference a tremendous success!.
We are now looking forward to the “Go To Conference” in Nashville TN . This will be the “Year of Collaboration” among firefighter’s credit unions!
