CUs' ties with counseling services worthwhile

I caught Jay Miller’s article, “Credit unions’ ties to counseling services growing closer” in the October 3 edition of Credit Union Times, and I appreciate him reporting on the growing partnership between credit unions and CCCS agencies. Tampa Bay Federal Credit Union has been active with CCCS of the Florida Gulf Coast since 1993, and I currently serve as the agency’s chairman. In addition to the support that my credit union provides, many other credit unions in Tampa (USF FCU, GTE FCU, Florida Central CU, MacDill FCU) also support the agency – either financially and/or with free office space for onsite CCCS counselors in their credit union. Partnering with CCCS has helped us with providing a needed service for many of our credit union members, and it’s also been a way to help the community by providing convenient access to certified budget/financial counselors. Eddie Hamp Vice President/Sales & Marketing Tampa Bay Federal Credit Union Tampa, Fla.