JACKSONVILLE, Fla.-Credit unions are not immune to the economic malaise, yet one CU here sees an opportunity.
Community First Credit Union of Florida has set up a financial counseling system that goes far beyond using call centers to address delinquent accounts and members who are in financial trouble by bringing the counseling in-house and face-to-face.
"We can really have an area to hear the voice of the member and not treat everyone as a collection call if they are having issues," said CFO Sam Inman. "I think our reactions are different than many other financial institutions."
In the process Inman said Community First has found a treat this Halloween season, a sense of camaraderie between credit unions. Inman said he is feeling a real sense of collaboration with other CUs, with a general feeling that the co-operatives are all in the same boat and should help one another.
He pointed to a group of credit unions in Tampa that recently held an open event called Credit Union Expo for the community to come to a local arena and learn the credit union difference. For his part, Inman and Community First will be hosting a joint car sale with two other credit unions along the First Coast "to get the message out that we still have money to lend and are making car loans."
