Nassau Educators Federal Credit Union in Westbury, N.Y., better known as NEFCU, has changed its name to Jovia Financial Credit Union.
The $3.4 billion-asset institution decided to rebrand after expanding its member base and outgrowing its original footprint, according to a press release on Monday. The change was effective on Monday.
“To put it simply: We needed a new name; one that connects us to all of Long Island and Long Islanders,” John Deieso, president and CEO, said in the press release. “Given our growth and the dramatic changes we’ve undertaken recently, it was time for a name that represents who we are, where we’re headed and what best captures the spirit and energy of this dynamic and fast-growing credit union.”
Jovia, pronounced JO-vee-ah, comes from the word jovial and is meant to confer trust and optimism, according to the release.
The credit union was originally called Valley Stream Teachers Federal Credit Union when it was founded in 1938 to serve Valley Stream, N.Y., teachers. It later became known as Nassau Educators and then NEFCU. It will soon have 20 branches across Long Island and currently serves almost 200,000 members.
A Jovia representative said via email the credit union has retained its federal charter despite not identifying as a federal credit union.
