CU News & Events – February Edition

February 29, 2024 |

Credit unions showed their communities all the love this February, keeping both their hearts and their wallets happy, safe, and protected. Read on to catch up on what some of our credit unions were up to last month. 

  • David Desjardins, President/CEO of Acadia FCU, reached an exciting 20-year milestone anniversary with the credit union on February 27! Congratulations, and thank you for all that you do for your credit union, your community, and the credit union movement across the state. 
  • Atlantic FCU thanked members for helping raise $147,799 in 2023 for the Campaign for Ending Hunger—earning the credit union first place for highest dollars raised for the Campaign for Ending Hunger, as awarded at the Annual Ending Hunger Results Luncheon. 
  • Bangor FCU shared information online with members regarding remote desktop robbery scams and what to lookout for in order to stay safe. 
  • Jericho Road Ministries’ The Well Warming Center in Bangor saw support from Brewer FCU’s laundry detergent drive. For the month of February, both Brewer FCU branches collected laundry supplies to help the Center provide for the unhoused. 
  • With tax season in full-swing, Capital Area FCU posted tips for protecting identity—including an important reminder that the IRS will never contact anyone directly asking to verify their identity. 
  • Always supporting their local food pantries in Gorham and Buxton, Casco FCU dropped off food donations to the Buxton Food Co-op for community members needing nourishment. 
  • The Lewiston location of Central Maine FCU sold tickets for a chance to win a dozen roses made out of dollar bills. Proceeds from the fundraiser were donated to Kaydenz Kitchen Food Pantry. 
  • Changing Seasons FCU excitedly shared news with members on social media that they were awarded fifth-place among credit unions in Maine for the highest per member contributions to the Campaign for Ending Hunger at the Annual Ending Hunger Results Luncheon. 
  • In their winter newsletter, Coast Line CU encouraged members to visit the credit union before visiting a car dealership to get pre-approved for an auto loan, ensuring they stay within budget and make an informed decision when purchasing a new vehicle. 
  • In mid-February, Community CU kicked off their 4th Annual Signature Soup Challenge—which runs through the middle of March. During the Challenge, ten local businesses are selling their famous soup/chili/chowder or soup bowl holders and donating a portion of their proceeds to the Campaign for Ending Hunger. 
  • Connected CU invited members to support the Campaign for Ending Hunger by stopping by the credit union on February 29 to grab either soup or stew, a fresh roll, and a bottled water lunch. 
  • A Scarborough High School class visited cPort CU’s Scarborough branch to wrap up their finance curriculum.
  • Cumberland County FCU is celebrating 70 years of serving their community this year, and they shared many reasons why people should consider membership with the credit union. 
  • At the Annual Ending Hunger Results Luncheon, Dirigo FCU received a fourth-place award for total dollars contributed to the Campaign for Ending Hunger, with $49,524.29 raised.  
  • Downeast CU staff celebrated Super Bowl Sunday at their branches by wearing their favorite NFL shirts to work. 
  • Eastmill FCU encouraged the use of direct deposit for upcoming tax returns. 
  • Empeople CU warned of QR code fraud, explaining that scammers can cleverly embed malicious links in them to steal information—often directing the user to a seemingly-legitimate website to try and get the user to interact and provide personal information. 
  • A brand-new rewards-based checking account experience arrived at Evergreen CU, designed specifically for young adults: Sail Student Checking. 
  • On February 28, Five County CU held their 67th Annual Meeting both on Zoom and in-person at their Bath location.  
  • Franklin-Somerset FCU branches sold hearts again this year for members to write their sweetheart’s name on. Funds benefitted the Campaign for Ending Hunger. 
  • High school seniors have a terrific opportunity to win scholarship dollars to support furthering their education by filling out one of Gardiner FCU’s just-launched applications.  
  • Great Falls FCU held an internal staff training to continue to ensure staff are aware of policies and procedures for keeping members happy and protected. 
  • KSW FCU sent out a Save the Date for their upcoming 2024 Annual Meeting in April. 
  • Joining with other Kennebec Valley Chapter credit unions, KV FCU enjoyed pebble art with their peers at the Chapter’s meeting earlier this month.
  • Goals Accounts for Teens arrived at Lincoln Maine FCU, geared towards helping teens get a handle on saving with learning modules, a higher annual percentage yield for their savings account, a checking account, a debit card, internal fraud controls, and more. 
  • Lisbon Community FCU wrapped up their New Year 50/50 Raffle, finishing with a sharable jackpot of over $1,400. Proceeds will support the Campaign for Ending Hunger. 
  • With fraud prevention top-of-mind for all, Maine Family FCU posted the importance of enabling two-factor authentication wherever possible. 
  • On their website, Maine Highlands FCU reminded members about their Winter Survival Loan to help pay for oil, propane, wood, and pellets—all those necessities Mainers need to keep warm!
  • Maine Savings FCU was joined by a new Vice President of Lending. Welcome, Lee-Ann! 
  • Employees at all branches of Maine State CU hosted Treats & Eats on Valentine’s Day, offering a cup of soup or chowder and a sweet treat with proceeds directed towards the Campaign for Ending Hunger. 
  • Midcoast FCU helped Freeport Community Services with their “Freeze Out!” event, with a goal of raising $20,000 to support their food programs. 
  • On their website, Milestones FCU alerted members of phone scams to help protect them from fraud.
  • New Dimensions FCU was recognized with a Top Contributor Award at the Annual Ending Hunger Results Luncheon for recording the most volunteer time in 2023 for credit unions within their asset size category. The credit union recorded 1,994.75 hours of time!
  • With Valentine’s Day festivities, Northeast CU warned of romance scams. 
  • On Valentine’s Day, NorState FCU donated to the American Red Cross. 
  • OTIS FCU co-sponsored a free ski day with Spruce Mountain Pharmacy at Spruce Mountain on February 21. 
  • Oxford FCU announced the application period for its scholarship program is now open. The credit union will be providing one $1,000 scholarship to a member graduating from one of the following high schools: Buckfield, Dirigo, Mountain Valley, Oxford Hills, and Telstar. 
  • Penobscot County FCU experienced some much-deserved appreciation! Their Bangor branch was chosen as McDonald’s Business of the Week. Staff were treated with coffee and delicious cookies from McDonald’s Bangor location. 
  • PeoplesChoice CU’s CEO Luke Labbe and Tiana Madore visited Biddeford Primary School (BPS) and presented the Principal with a check to support new educational programing that will promote inclusivity, accountability, and leadership at BPS. 
  • In support of Special Olympics Maine, Sabattus Regional CU began a Pot of Gold 50/50 Raffle in their lobby. 
  • Saco Valley CU’s Amy Irish was elected to serve as the York County Chapter of Credit Unions’ President. Congratulations, Amy and thank you for your leadership.
  • Exemplifying its commitment to the local business community, Seaboard FCU joined the Belfast Chamber of Commerce.
  • Sebasticook Valley FCU explained the benefits of banking with a credit union in a recent blog post. 
  • As travel picks up with school breaks, The County FCU posted information about airline fraud. 
  • Town & Country FCU recently presented a $5,000 check to support the South Portland Food Cupboard’s annual benefit concert in May. The credit union will donate an additional $5,000 through radio advertising. 
  • Trademark FCU supported their partnership with Make-A-Wish Maine and encouraged donations to make a difference for a child in the community. 
  • With funds from purchases made with TruHero credit cards in 2023, TruChoice FCU donated $14,647 to The Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital at Maine Medical Center, southern Maine’s local Children’s Miracle Network hospital. 
  • Always engaged at the campus level, University CU congratulated the 363 Black Bear athletes who were recognized at the 35th annual Scholar-Athlete Recognition Award ceremony. Members of the credit union’s staff in Orono were in attendance to show support of the student athletes and all of their hard work both on and off the field.
  • Terri, an employee at Winthrop Area FCU, celebrated her milestone 60th birthday with sundaes at the office. Happy birthday, Terri!