Merger Brings SSFCU Huge Underserved FOM
SAN ANTONIO-CU giant Security Service FCU won approval to serve more than 1.3 million people in five Texas counties designated as underserved as part of its acquisition of Horizon FCU. The action will allow the $4.2-billion CU to serve residents in greater Corpus Christi, Hidalgo and Cameron Counties, several hundred select groups, as well as employees and military personnel at Carson Air Force Base. Horizon FCU is a $36 million credit union based in Portland, Texas. The underserved expansion is one of the largest ever approved by NCUA.
More Big CU Mergers Approved By NCUA
ALEXANDRIA, Va.-NCUA has approved several more big mergers. The deals will combine: Toledo Area Community CU ($375 million) with Erie Shores CU ($125 million), creating the fourth-largest CU in Ohio; Wescom CU ($3.9 billion) with Great American CU ($60 million) and JSC FCU ($900 million) with Monument Area FCU ($50 million).
TCU Raises $85,000 for Diabetes
RICHARDSON, Texas-Texans CU employees raised more than $85,000 for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation's Walk To Cure Diabetes in Collin County. More than 100 employees attended the Walk. Greg Gallant, chief operating officer for the $1.8 billion credit union, served as honorary chair of the Walk.
OnPoint Celebrates 75th with $75K
PORTLAND, Ore.-OnPoint Community CU announced yesterday it made a total of $75,000 in grants to 10 community groups to mark its 75th anniversary.
The grants went to: Portland Schools Foundation; Start Making a Reader Today; The Library Foundation; SOLV (Stop Oregon Litter and Vandalism); Guide Dogs for the Blind; Dougy Center; Food for Lane County; Cancer Care Resources; Head Start of Yamhill County and Bradley-Angle House. The $2.5-billion CU, formerly known as Portland Teachers CU, was chartered in 1932 by 16 teachers.
'X-Games Bandit' Commits Suicide
SACRAMENTO, Calif.-A 34-year-old man who committed suicide in the Sacramento County jail last month has been identified as the serial bank robber known to law enforcement agencies as the "X-Games Bandit." Jamie Wilson, of Woodland, was tagged with the nickname because he would rob banks and then flee on a BMX-type bicycle or on a skateboard. Police credited the X-Games Bandit for robberies at SAFE CU, as well as two at River City Bank, and as many as three others. The crime spree came to an end on Sept. 20 when the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department arrested Wilson following a vehicle and foot chase that also included the gun-toting Wilson holding a family hostage inside a house. Wilson was found hanging in his jail cell on Oct. 25.
Meter Maid Charged With Theft
ST. PAUL, Minn.-A long-time public works employee was charged with stealing as much as $34,000 worth of coins he was supposed to be collecting from parking meters over a period of nine months.
The theft apparently was uncovered by tellers at City & County CU, where he regularly brought coffee cans full of coins to several branches. Vincent Schettner, 63, was charged with two counts of felony theft. Schettner told one teller he collected coins, according to a search warrant filed with the court. After she saw him on the street emptying meters for his job, she tipped an off-duty police officer working at the credit union. Police interviewed four other tellers, who also were suspicious of the meter collector. None of them saw him make anything but coin transactions. A review of the credit union's records confirmed Schettner made weekly deposits of $1,000 to $1,500 in coins at branches in St. Paul, Lake Elmo and Maplewood. He would usually exchange about $800 to $900 of the quarter and dollar coins for currency.
