Skip to main content

NCOFCU Awards Presentations Seattle WA

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 committee for most of those 20 years. Mike's years of experience in both the private sector and the public sector along with an Executive MBA allows him to play a key role in the decision-making process regarding the strategic financial direction of the credit union.
The credit union is truly fortunate to have someone of Mike's dedication and commitment to the success of the credit union.



Lifetime Achievement Award

Richard T. Andrews CEO
F & A Credit Union
Rich Andrews holds over 40 years of service within the credit union industry. He began his career with credit unions as a Real Estate and Special Service Manager, working his way up to Executive Vice President of Operations and eventually to the CEO position he holds today.  A vast majority of Rich’s credit union career has been serving as President/CEO of F&A Federal Credit Union.

F&A Federal Credit Union closed its books in 1985 with $115 million in assets and a capital ratio of 5.27%. In March of 1986, Rich was hired to take the helm of the Credit Union and lead them into the future. Today, F&A stands as one of the most successful credit unions in the country with over $1.6 billion in assets, nearly $260 million in capital, and an outstanding capital ratio of 15.79%.

Soon, Rich Andrews will leave his long, distinguished career at F&A behind knowing that he, with the help and support of many others, has crafted one of the most successful credit unions in the country. 

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

What Gen Z Is Really Looking For In A Credit Union

  Gen Z’s faith in traditional institutions gives credit unions a rich opportunity to serve as a key source of financial guidance. Sponsored Content By Adrenaline, Inc. Credit unions can strengthen loyalty with the influential Generation Z by connecting their brand’s purpose, financial guidance, and in-branch experience. Widely described as digital natives, Gen Z meets many of their everyday banking needs with mobile apps and digital tools across multiple providers. While younger consumers certainly expect seamless digital functionality from their primary financial provider, what they value even more is meaningful advice and trusting relationships. Because beneath Gen Z’s technological savvy is a measurable confidence gap —  one that impacts every aspect of their financial lives. According to  Adrenaline’s 2026 Gen Z research  conducted with Alexander Babbage, 36% of Gen Z say they find financial matters confusing, and one in three report feeling overwhelmed by money...

IRS Rules Turn ‘Simple’ Auto Loan Tax Break Into Compliance Challenge

  PLANO, Texas— A new federal tax deduction allowing consumers to deduct interest on qualifying auto loans is being billed as a borrower benefit, but newly issued regulations from the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service show the program will impose significant compliance and reporting obligations on credit unions and other auto lenders. That’s the assessment of Brian Turner, president and chief economist with Meridian Economics, who said the rules governing the so-called auto loan interest deduction are “far more technical” than initially described and will require system and process changes for many finance providers, including credit unions active in indirect and direct auto lending. Deduction Comes With Detailed Conditions Brian Turner Under the proposed regulations, interest is deductible only if the loan and vehicle meet strict criteria. The vehicle must weigh less than 14,000 pounds, be designed for public road use, be newly placed in service by t...

Sunday Reading - What happened after the Civil War?

  Rebuilding the Union:  What happened after the Civil War? The Reconstruction era, lasting from 1865 to 1877, was the period when the US federal government sought to reunite the nation after the Civil War. Key issues included how to punish Confederates, readmit Southern states, and secure rights for newly freed Black Americans ( read Lincoln's original plan ). Following Abraham Lincoln's assassination days after the war's end, President Andrew Johnson—a pro-Union, pro-states' rights Southerner—pursued a lenient approach to reconciliation. He pardoned former Confederates , restored their property, and allowed Southern states to govern with little federal oversight. Those states quickly enacted laws restricting the freedoms of formerly enslaved pe...

Meet Spokane Firefighter Credit Union (SFCU) New President/CEO - Troy Clute

Meet SFCU's New President/CEO - Troy Clute  Troy Clute serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Spokane Firefighters Credit Union, bringing 29 years of experience in banking and finance. His career includes extensive leadership roles across the industry, with a strong foundation in consumer lending and member-focused financial services. Troy is a graduate of the renowned CUES CEO Institute Program, having earned the Certified Chief Executive (CCE) designation—one of the highest leadership credentials in the credit union movement. His leadership is defined by strategic vision, operational excellence, and a deep commitment to serving Spokane’s firefighter community and their families. Beyond his professional role, Troy values family above all. He and his wife, Karri, have been married for 36 years and share two grown children, Kellen and Kennadie, as well as three grandchildren—Tyus, Izze, and Major—who keep life joyful and full of adventure. When he’s not leading the c...

The NCUA just published its stablecoin playbook: Here’s what credit unions need to know

The National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) has begun answering a key question for credit unions since the GENIUS Act became law last July: What is the stablecoin licensing process? On February 11, 2026, the NCUA published a  22-page proposed rule , "Investments in and Licensing of Permitted Payment Stablecoins Issuers," in the Federal Register. This document outlines the framework for credit union participation under the new Act. The NCUA has a deadline of July 18, 2026, to finalize this rule. Here’s what credit unions need to know now. Quick background: The GENIUS Act and the NCUA’s role The GENIUS Act designated the NCUA as a primary federal regulator of stablecoin, alongside the FDIC, the OCC, and the Federal Reserve. Credit unions can't issue stablecoins directly; they must operate through subsidiaries, typically CUSOs, that apply for and obtain an NCUA-issued Permitted Payment Stablecoin Issuer (PPSI) license. The newly proposed rule covers the application and l...

GAC 2026: In Debut GAC Speech, Simpson Calls On Movement To Protect Cooperative Model

WASHINGTON—America’s Credit Unions President and CEO Scott Simpson told attendees at the 2026 Governmental Affairs Conference that what’s truly at stake in Washington isn’t just policy — it’s the “transformational experiences” credit unions create in people’s lives every day. Scott Simpson addresses the meeting. Credit unions exist—Simpson reminded the record crowd as he delivered his first GAC address as ACU’s leader—because Congress chose nearly a century ago to expand access to financial services for Americans who were being left behind. The Federal Credit Union Act wasn’t about creating another financial institution model — it was about ensuring middle America could be served. That mission remains intact, but Simpson warned it cannot be taken for granted. For years, Simpson said he has asked credit union leaders a simple question: Why do credit unions exist? The typical answer — that they are not-for-profit financial cooperatives — is true, but incomplete. Credit unions and their t...

Stablecoins Moving from Crypto Curiosity to Payments Infrastructure

At the 2026 Governmental Affairs Conference (GAC), credit union leaders heard a clear message: stablecoins are rapidly evolving from a niche crypto tool into a core component of modern payments infrastructure. Stablecoins are digital tokens typically pegged to a fiat currency like the U.S. dollar and backed by reserves such as cash or short-term Treasury securities. Initially used mostly inside cryptocurrency markets, they are now increasingly being viewed as a faster and more efficient way to move money globally . Why Stablecoins Matter The technology offers several potential advantages over traditional payment systems: 24/7 settlement instead of banking-hour restrictions Faster cross-border payments with fewer intermediaries Lower transaction costs compared with legacy payment rails Greater transparency and programmability in how funds move These capabilities are why banks, fintechs, and large financial institutions are beginning to explore stablecoins as part o...

Sunday Reading - Self-driving formula cars race in the Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League

The league and high-speed versions of traditional cars help to showcase the capabilities of driverless vehicles and the reliability of their AI systems. Leonardo da Vinci first imagined the idea for such machines in the 16th century. ================================================= Remember, you're not alone with  NCOFCU.org Join/Upgrade Check out some of NCOFCU's additional features: First Responder Credit Union Academy Financial Literacy Podcasts YouTube Mini's Blog Job Board

We Don't Need More Trade Groups!

This is a op-ed reference: New National Trade Group Forms To Champion Credit Unions Under $500M Grant Sheehan, CEO, NCOFCU Let’s be clear—representation for small credit unions is not something new that suddenly needs to be invented. For more than 150 years in Europe and 115 years in the US, many of us—along with numerous trade groups representing postal workers, schools, hospitals, the military, first responders, electricians, welders, auto workers, and many other sponsor employee groups—have been actively representing and supporting small credit unions. The mission has always been the same: protect these institutions and ensure they have a voice. The real challenge facing small credit unions has never been a lack of organizations claiming to represent them. The challenge has been engagement and education. Many small credit unions operate with extremely limited resources. Their boards are made up of volunteers who already have full-time careers. Even when scholarships, training ...