adminVyStar announces new EVP/chief operations officer and chief digital officer
Brian E. Wolfburg, president/CEO of VyStar Credit Union, announced two staff changes. Chad Meadows has been appointed VyStar’s new executive vice president/chief operations officer. Meadows is filling the role of former EVP/COO Rich Alfirevic, who retired late last year after 28 years of service.
Meadows is responsible for the credit union’s branch, ATM, Call Center, and internet and mobile banking operations. This currently includes 46 full-service branches and 13 high school branches across Northeast to Central Florida, a regional network of 220 ATMs, and a nationwide surcharge-free network of 20,000+ ATMs. He will also manage VyStar’s deposit operations and records management, payment operations, and debit/credit card product and service lines.
In addition, Meadows is responsible for facilities and safety, as well as the $700 million VyStar Investment Services program. He previously served as the executive director of Retail Financial Services at Alaska USA Federal Credit Union, a $7 billion credit union in Anchorage, AK.
Joel Swanson is VyStar’s chief digital officer, a newly created role in which he will be responsible for driving the credit union’s digital optimization and electronic member experience initiatives. Most recently, he held the position of senior vice president of branch administration for Alaska USA Federal Credit Union in Anchorage, AK.
In this role, Swanson oversaw all aspects of branch delivery across the credit union’s 89 branch locations. Prior to that role, he served as the vice president of electronic payments and cards for Alaska USA, where he oversaw all online/mobile banking, ATMs, card products and services, and the credit union’s payments.
eCO Credit Union celebrates final edition of eCO Savings Race
In 2012, eCO Credit Union began partnering with CBS 42 to offer the eCO Savings Race to members and the community. Through the eCO Savings Race, eCO Credit Union provides “teams,” made up of families or individuals with coaches to help them review their finances, create a budget, set goals and provide accountability. eCO also provides financial education curriculum and offers additional learning opportunities through eCO Savings Race University, sponsored by the eCO Credit Union Foundation. During each eight-month race, CBS42 aired weekly segments to highlight teams’ progress and to share practical tips with viewers.
After six great seasons, the eCO Savings Race came to a close live on CBS42. After the numbers were tallied, teams participating in the eCO Savings Race Sixth Edition improved their financial pictures by more than $120,000 in just eight months, and the Creekmores were selected as the $10,000 Grand Prize winners. The other three finalists didn’t walk away empty handed. Along with an improved financial picture, each finalist also received $2,000 to honor their efforts throughout the eCO Savings Race.
According to Melissa Stewart, eCO marketing director. “In six years, we have directly impacted 28 families or individuals through the eCO Savings Race, and during the race, families and individuals have improved their financial pictures by more than $496,000. We look forward to seeing how this continues to impact generations.”
eCO Credit Union still plans to prioritize financial education with members and through the eCO Credit Union Foundation.
LSCU hosts SAS Credit Union Conferences in Alabama
The LSCU hosted a Small Asset Size (SAS) Credit Union Conference on May 17 in Birmingham, AL, to provide insightful information on topics most important to smaller credit unions currently, as well as opportunities to network with peers. Earlier in the week, the League hosted a similar conference in Mobile, AL.
Florida credit unions meet with policy makers for S.2155
Last week, Florida credit union officials met with Congressman Vern Buchanan to tell him the importance of the credit union tax exemption and ask for his support on S. 2155. Joining to work on behalf of credit unions were representatives from floridacentral Credit Union, Achieva Credit Union, Suncoast Credit Union and USF Federal Credit Union.
