Firefighter Credit Union Newsroom

Provided from " FirefightersCloseCalls.com The Firefighters radio program had a total of 140 fifteen-minute episodes that aired on early primetime WCPO radio during the late 1940's and ended in 1950. As you will soon hear, it was a first class radio production heard across the country that was syndicated in over 225 markets in the United States and Canada... and it outranked national network radio shows like Lone Ranger and Sky King in its region. "Firefighters" dramatized actual case histories of real Fire Departments. It is authentic in every detail, from Fire Department "welcoming" of new members to the ranks, to responses to the "latest" firefighting techniques and equipment. During its run, the "Firefighters" show followed the heroic adventures of the rookie Firefighter, Tim Collins, who completed firefighter training after returning from World War II. Each episode focused on a particular fire emergency that Tim and h...

That transition, coupled with aging machines, is driving decisions about whether to choose an expensive software upgrade to Windows 10 or to choose the even more expensive alternative, buying new ATMs, according to Gary Walston, president of  Dolphin Debit . “Like so many things in life, it’s all about the timing,” said Walston. “While the recent EMV upgrades forced credit unions to spend money upgrading their ATMs, the last big event at the ATM was in 2012, when so many credit unions bought new machines in order to be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). That was a major event in which a large turnover of old ATMs was a boon for ATM manufacturers. Fast forward almost seven years, and many of those once shiny new ATMs are now in their final lifecycle stage.” The Cost of Upgrades For the machines that can be upgraded, the cost of outfitting them with the new Windows 10 operating system will run anywhere from $6,000 to $12,000 per ATM, said Walst...

We wish you peace and joy in this holiday season and throughout the coming year. On behalf of our nationwide board of directors and staff, we would like you to consider supporting  the National Council of Firefighter Credit Unions Inc  representing over 800,000 firefighters, first responders and their families.  Please save the date and consider joining us in Clearwater Beach, Fl - October 1-4, 2019 Grant Sheehan CEO National Council of Firefighter Credit Unions Inc. Office: 305-951-3306,  Address: 3741 De Garmo Lane Miami, FL 33133 www.ncofcu.org

WASHINGTON–Although debate has increased recently over whether it should do so, as expected, the Fed has moved to raise interest rates. The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) voted to raise the target range for the federal funds rate to 2%-2.25% to 2.25%-2.50%. “Information received since the Federal Open Market Committee met in November indicates that the labor market has continued to strengthen and that economic activity has been rising at a strong rate,” said the FOMC in a statement following today’s meeting. “Job gains have been strong, on average, in recent months, and the unemployment rate has remained low. Household spending has continued to grow strongly, while growth of business fixed investment has moderated from its rapid pace earlier in the year. On a 12-month basis, both overall inflation and inflation for items other than food and energy remain near 2%. Indicators of longer-term inflation expectations are little changed, on balance.” Fed watchers have bee...

Here you will see FDNY members experience a major backdraft during a 5th alarm fire in a row of stores in the Sunnyside area of queens. (to the best of my knowledge no FDNY members were hurt during this backdraft.  Here is the link to the video that highlights the smoke explosion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66z7YVwE7n8  Be SAFE!

NAFCU FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla The year 2022 may sound like it’s far off, but it’s anything but when it comes to preparing to comply with the new CECL accounting standard, according to one credit union CFO. That date is two years after banks need to be compliant (Jan. 1, 2020), and Wright noted the bank examiners are  struggling with small institutions, where data validity and model validity are issues, as is balancing reasonable expectations and resource constraints. NCUA grappling with the same issues, said Wright.While the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) continues to refine some of the issues around the new Current Expected Credit Losses (CECL) standard, Doug Wright, CFO with San Diego-based Mission FCU, noted credit unions need to have a fully CECL-compliant model in place by Jan. 1, 2022. “One recommendation I would make is to not just look at what NCUA is doing with education, but also to look to the FDIC, the OCC and the Federal Reserve to see what they are do...

MARLBOROUGH, Mass.– Bernie Winne, president and CEO of Firefighters Credit Union in Boston, has agreed to become interim CEO of the Cooperative Credit Union     Bernie Winne Association, in addition to overseeing his credit union. Winne fills the void created when Sarah Vega, chief of staff to NCUA Chairman J. Mark McWatters, initially accepted the position and then changed her mind. The vacancy in the position was originally created by the departure of former CEO Paul Gentile, who left to become president/CEO of Merck Employees FCU in Rahway, N.J. Winne, who has 35 years’ experience in credit union and is a CCUA board member, was appointed to the interim position by the association’s board at a recent  executive meeting, the CCUA said. "Bernie's leadership ensures the smooth continuity of all the programs and services that the Association delivers to its members each and every day," said CCUA Board Chair Ellen Ford in a statement published by the ...

This year, California has experienced some of the most devastating and deadly firestorms in history. But did you know that over 50 firefighters lost their homes and possessions to these fires while continuing to protect communities and properties from wind swept blazes? You can help. Please show your support for firefighters who sacrifice so much for the safety of our communities, for your safety. The Fire Family Foundation, the charitable hand of Firefighters First Credit Union, offers financial help to firefighters and their families in times of need due to disaster, an illness or a death. 100% of your contribution goes directly to support the Fire Family. On behalf of all firefighters, thank you. Donations can be made: ·          online at www.FireFamilyFoundation.org ·          on facebook at www.facebook.com/firefamilyfoundation ·        ...

Holiday shopping online ?  Please help NCOFCU * out this holiday season by shopping at Amazon Smile Our exclusive charitable shopping page is: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/27-2387106 About AmazonSmile AmazonSmile is a website operated by Amazon with the same products, prices, and shopping features as Amazon.com. The difference is that when you shop on AmazonSmile, the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible products to the National Council of Firefighter Credit Unions Inc ( NCOFCU ). Every item available for purchase on www.amazon.com is also available on AmazonSmile ( smile.amazon.com ) at the same price. You will see eligible products marked "Eligible for AmazonSmile donation" on their product detail pages. Please use (bookmark, create shortcut, save this e-mail) our Amazon Smile link when shopping for the holidays.  https://smile.amazon.com/ch/27-2387106 Thank you in advance for your support, NCOFCU Board of...

Congratulations to Spokane Firefighters for being in the top 50 of CU's in "Return to Members" Check out the complete list HERE If you would like to see how firefighter credit unions performed Click HERE See you in Clearwater Beach, FL  10/1-4/2019

Seattle WA 9/20/18 These prestigious awards are presented annually recognizing a credit union professional and volunteer whose career best embodies the National Council of Firefighter Credit Unions Inc (NCOFCU) mission.  The recipients will have demonstrated support for the credit union philosophy of “people helping people” and organized and/or provided significant assistance to their credit unions needs which constructively impacted the growth, image and/or service capacity of their credit union.  Volunteer of the Year Michael McCormick V Chairman San Diego Firefighters FCU Mike has been a volunteer at the credit union for the past 20 years and is currently the Vice-Chairman of the credit union's Board of Directors. Mike is also on the Board of the NCOFCU. Mike has been a great advocate for the credit union over these past 20 years and has attended numerous educational conference on behalf of the credit union. He has also been a valued member of the ALCO committe...

You’ve got your member’s back when it comes to financing their next car and we’ve got YOUR back when it comes to spreading the good word about your auto loan program. We know your marketing team is busy. We know you have multiple products and services that need promotion, which is why besides being the solution to your auto lending dilemma, we’ll also be your Marketing Department’s best friend. Our program doesn’t stop at your website – we’ve developed a complete and ongoing training and marketing program that is available for FREE to all of our clients. Smart Calendar  - Complete customized marketing calendar for launching your Auto Link program and promotions. Each action item clicks straight to the collateral! Marketing Resources: Web banners and collateral Lobby banner stands and/or video monitor content Flyers for lobby, off premise and SEG locations Buttons and name tag ribbons for lobby staff T-shirts and other apparel promoting your auto lending ...

Take some time now and review the conference mobile app before the rush of the conference.   We're excited to announce we have a brand new mobile guide for you and your guest to use! NCOFCU 2018 Seattle, WA Annual Conference has gone mobile! Get the guide to access the most up-to-date information about our event, including schedules, maps, networking, program updates and much more. (***If you already have the Guidebook.com app downloaded from last years conference, go directly to step 2 ***) Get our conference guide now for you and your guests: https://guidebook.com/g/ncofcu-2018- conference 1.        In your app store search for the Free phone/pad Guidebook app, tap the "Download" button to download the Free Guidebook app 2.        Open the Guidebook app search for "NCOFCU" and you will find our "NCOFCU 2018 Seattle, WA Annual Conference" guide, click on it to download to your phone or ...

According to one expert, who says brand alone no longer cuts it and that CUs must be careful of partnering with fintechs “without the fin.” Cornerstone Advisors Director Tim Daley said the data is clear about how critical it is for credit unions to not only excel at digital delivery but also use the e-channel to effectively target and market to members. “You are either leaning into a digital first strategy or you will merge with someone soon enough. The stakes right now could not be higher,” Daley said. Daley stressed, as have other analysts, that consumers’ preferences for product and service delivery is being influenced by major retailers such as Amazon and Starbucks, and they are expecting the same from their credit union. “Your brand, alone, is no longer good enough to sway your members,” insisted Daley. “While your brand is still very important, it will no longer be the key driver for interaction with consumers. We are seeing that very clearly.” A Common Mistake Wh...