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First Choice America honors Urban Mission Ministries

CREDIT UNION AWARD — A highlight of the annual meeting of First Choice America Credit Union on Tuesday night was the presentation of the annual Community Spirit Award to the Urban Mission of Steubenville, a non-profit organization that supports the needs of the poor and disadvantaged through food pantries, emergency shelters and other services to people in the upper Ohio Valley. The organization received a plaque and a cash award of $2,500. On hand were, from left, Edward L. Kennedy and John R. Thayer, credit union board members; Scott E. Winwood, president and CEO of the credit union; the Rev. Ashley Steele, executive director of the Urban Mission; Kenneth W. Truax, chairman of the First Choice board; and Robert Mrvos, board member. -- Contributed

WEIRTON — First Choice America Credit Union made steady progress in 2016 amid tough competition and a lackluster economy, according to officials.

The credit union’s annual meeting was held Tuesday at the Pepsi-Cola Roadhouse in Burgettstown, and Kenneth W. Truax, board chairman said the First Choice employee team worked hard to maintain a safe and sound and secure financial institution in 2016.

He listed achievements in 2016 as earning another superior rating; assets growth to a record $428 million; expanded deposits to a record $367 million; and preserved a strong capital position.

“By renewing the distinction of once again earning a superior rating from an official rating group for the excellence of our capital strength, asset quality and management ability, our credit union retained its enviable position as one of the very elite among America’s nearly 6,000 credit unions,” Truax said.

“These impressive achievements reflect the sincere commitment to success of the officials, management and staff of First Choice America. Our employee team is highly skilled, dedicated to excellence in serving you and very proud of the significant strides made during the past year,” he stated.

“In addition to keeping pace with the latest technology, we continue to offer consumers better rates on loans and deposits, more personalized service, and importantly, fewer fees than other financial institutions. We strive every day to maintain that competitive edge. We are proud to say that no new fees were enacted during the past year,” he noted.

A highlight of Tuesday’s event was the presentation of the annual community spirit award to the Urban Mission of Steubenville, a non-profit organization that supports the needs of the poor and disadvantaged through food pantries, emergency shelters and other services to people in the upper Ohio Valley.

Accepting a plaque and cash award was the Rev. Ashley Steele of Urban Mission Ministries.

During the meeting, Edward L. Kennedy and John R. Thayer were re-elected to the board of directors. Robert Mrvos also is a board member.

Scott E. Windwood is president and CEO of the credit union.

Richard Shaffer, senior vice president of the West Virginia Credit Union League, spoke briefly.

Founded in 1939 in Weirton, First Choice America maintains eight offices in the Ohio Valley.

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