Worth Noting

Published July 25, 2008, 2:10 p.m. EDT

Updated August 27, 2020, 1:07 a.m. EDT

2 Min Read

Desert School Helps Native Groups

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PHOENIX, Ariz.–After an explosion and subsequent fire damaged sections of the Native American Community Service Center headquarters, Desert Schools FCU has stepped in and established an account for members of the public to make contributions to the center. No injuries were reported in the incident that ruined part of the sixth floor of the building, which is across the street from a high school.

The center is co-owned by the Phoenix Indian Center, Native American Connections and Native American Community Health Center, which provide social services to Native Americans in the area. Those three non-profit groups, which purchased the building two years ago, are asking for help to restore those services as they were shut down immediately after the fire. Donations can be made to the Phoenix Indian Center Account at all Desert School branches.

Virginia FCU Donates To Iowa CUs

ALEXANDRIA, Va.–Homeowners and farmers were not the only ones affected by the massive Midwest floodwaters that took week after agonizing week to recede. Businesses were also hit hard in the area, so to help take the edge off, commonwealth One CU has donated $500 to the NCUF to help fellow CUs hit by the storms in Iowa. NCUF partnered with the Iowa Credit Union Foundation to create a relief fund for CUs that were damaged by wind and water. “CommonWealth One is committed to making a difference and we believe it is our responsibility to reach out to those in need,” said the FCU’s CEO.

Emergency Info System Opened

HARAHAN, La.–The Louisiana Credit Union League is opening up lines of communication to get emergency information to credit unions as quickly and conveniently as possible. Through the TelSpan system, the Louisiana Office of Financial Institutions, will record information and alerts related to immediate threats or disasters in the area. Financial institutions will be able to call in and hear alerts at any time. “As Louisiana finds itself in the midst of yet another hurricane season, LCUL is making sure credit unions have access to as many resources as possible,” the league said.

For more info: www.lcul.com.

SIU Credit Union Picks New CEO

CARBONDALE, Ill.–SIU Credit Union’s Board of Directors have chosen DeKalb-native Dennis Schaefer as its new CEP. Schaefer is a former CEO at State Employee CU in New Orleans and former VP at First Community CU in Houston. SIU Credit Union has $141 million in assets and 22,000 members with locations in Carbondale and Marion.

For info: www.siucu.org.

Kessler FCU gets 5 star rating

BILOXI, Miss.–Admist the financial world’s maelstrom, Keesler Federal Credit Union appears to be staying strong as the $1.6 billion credit union earned a 5-star “Superior” rating from Bauerfinancial Inc., the nation’s leading independent credit union rating and research firm. Under Bauerfinancial’s system, credit unions are classified on a zero to five-star scale, which takes into account the institution’s capital, loan delinquencies, reserves, and asset quality, among other factors. The 5-star rating is the highest possible, and the research firm states that it recommends “all 4-star and 5-star” financial institutions.