The Massachusetts-based nonprofit has been joining state leagues and CUNA to build CU-financed homes for injured Iraq and Afghanistan war vets in Missouri, Massachusetts and elsewhere.

CU24 to Relocate to New Headquarters

Credit Union 24 has announced that it will relocate its corporate headquarters and central operations in Tallahassee, Fla.

The new location is in close proximity to the company's previous headquarters and is owned by the 274 shareholding credit unions that are located throughout the country.

“We look forward to welcoming Credit Union 24 shareholders to their network's new home,” said Jim Park, president/CEO of Credit Union 24. “Credit Union 24's executive leadership and board of directors made the decision to create an asset and long-term investment for the network with the purchase of this building. The timing was excellent to utilize a small portion of the network's cash reserves to purchase the building at an excellent price, create a valuable asset for the membership and eliminate a significant element of the network's overhead.”

Literacy Can Aid Economy

Financial literacy can pave the way for economic recovery and sustainability, said Alliant Credit Union President/CEO David W. Mooney.

Mooney made the business case for financial literacy at the Global Financial Literacy Summit in Washington, which was sponsored by Operation HOPE, a nonprofit social investment banking and financial literacy empowerment organization.

Mooney's comments focused on the benefits of financially literate consumers, as not only “better” borrowers and savers but also as a means to temper business and credit cycles, specifically reducing excessive consumer borrowing, defaults and bankruptcies.

Alliant CU is an Operation HOPE partner, offering not only financial support but also manpower resources. Alliant staffers serve as volunteers to teach middle-school students basic principles of personal financial management, in addition to working with Alliant's employer group sponsors to promote financial literacy in the workplace.

Over the past three years, credit union employee volunteers have conducted more than 250 free Operation HOPE “Banking On Our Future” classes for more than 2,000 middle-school students.

The Global Financial Literacy Summit was launched in response to the global economic crisis, with the goal of framing the issue of financial literacy not as an option but rather as a core ingredient to mid- to long-term economic recovery.

Denali Renews BranchMap Service

Denali Alaskan Federal Credit Union is helping its far-flung membership keep up with its growing branch and ATM network by renewing its contract for Code Green LLC's online BranchMap locator tool, the company and credit union said.

Denali Alaskan began using the service in spring 2008, and said it also has found it beneficial to college students, Alaskans who head south for the winter and traveling business people.

The service, at www.denalifcu.org, also provides location information for the 5,000 branches that are part of the $406 million credit union's shared branch network, as well as hours and contact information for its own branches, which have grown from nine to 16 in the past three years, the Anchorage-based credit union said.

“Alaskans are a traveling lot,” said Keith Fernandez, assistant vice president for marketing at 56,000-member Alaskan Denali. “And the ability to showcase the locations of these shared branches-both within and outside of Alaska-helps our members keep that personal touch to their account even if they're not within easy reach of one of our branches.”

Code Green is based in Gaithersburg, Md., and includes more than two dozen credit unions on its client list, the company said.

Va. Awards Foreclosure Relief Counseling Funds

Nonprofit counseling agencies in Virginia will have more money available to use to help people avoid foreclosure as a result of the release of $50,000in grant money by Virginia Attorney General Bill Mims.

He estimated that the fund, which was created from a settlement with the Countrywide Financial Corp., will benefit approximately 250 families.

“In this difficult economic climate, an unprecedented number of families are struggling to make ends meet,” he said. “I am pleased that these funds from the Countrywide settlement will provide a real benefit to Virginia families in danger of losing their homes to foreclosure.”

The donation will supplement funds allocated by the Virginia Housing Development Authority and the Department of Housing and Community Development. VHDA will administer the grant program.

Goldenwest CU Awarded For Avoiding Layoffs

The $708 million Goldenwest Credit Union has won accolades from a state agency for maintaining staffing.

The honor bestowed on the of Ogden, Utah-based Goldenwest June 26 by the Utah Department of Work Services is the 2009 “Work/Life Award” as winner of “Utah's Best Places to Work” among medium-sized businesses (50-500 employees).

More than 200 Utah firms were judged on their corporate culture and workplace philosophies as to keeping “a healthy balance regarding work and personal life issues.”

Goldenwest President/CEO Shelley Clarke said the CU “employs the hardest working and most dedicated people in the state of Utah.” And during the financial crisis, Goldenwest has not cut staff, reduced hours or cut benefits to its employees.

“All employees continue to be eligible for annual pay increases based on individual and team performance,” according to Clarke.