Contributed 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 Salvation Army of Brooke and Hancock County. This nonprofit organization supports the community by assisting those in need with clothes, food and necessities. The organization received a plaque and a cash award of $2,500. On hand for the presentation were, from left, Edward L. Kenned and John R. Thayer, board members; Salvation Army Capt. Gene Hunt; Scott E. Winwood, president and CEO; and Kenneth W. Truax and Robert G. Mrvos, board members.

WEIRTON — First Choice America Credit Union continued to make significant progress in 2022, its 83rd year, amid tough competition, economic uncertainty, record inflation and a volatile interest rate environment.

The credit union steadily moved forward, buoyed by the excellent performance of a committed employee team and the tremendous support and loyalty of its 36,000 members who remain the bedrock of the business, officials said.

Scott E. Winwood, president and CEO, said, “Our employee team worked diligently to maintain a safe, sound and secure financial institution for its members,” said Scott E. Winwood, CEO.

He detailed achievements, including:

• Earning another “superior” rating;

• Growing assets to a record $595 million;

• Expanding deposits to a record $512 million; and

• Preserving a strong capital position.

“Our credit union’s capital strength, asset quality and management ability help maintain our enviable position as one of the very elite among America’s nearly 5,000 credit unions,” Winwood stated.

These achievements reflect the commitment to success of the officials, management and staff of First Choice America, Winwood added. The employee team is professional and highly skilled, dedicated to excellence in serving members, and very proud of the significant strides made during the past year, Winwood explained.

First Choice America updated its online and mobile banking solutions, which provided additional enhancements while maintaining the mobile experience. The mobile banking app allows members to take First Choice anywhere they go and have access to their accounts 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In the future, officials, said, the credit union intends to continue maximizing investments in technology to better serve members and strengthen its position in a competitive marketplace.

While keeping pace with the latest technology, First Choice continues to offer members better rates on loans and deposits, more personalized service, and fewer fees than other financial institutions. No new fees were enacted during the past year, nor any adjustments made to member benefits, officials explained.

With fewer fees, better rates, more personalized service and a full array of financial products and services, membership in First Choice America offers better value, Winwood said.

“The combination of a dedicated professional staff, excellent technology and a complete array of affordable financial products and services positions us to continue making a real difference in the financial lives of the people we serve,” he added. “Our credit union strives to embrace the merits of good citizenship by generously supporting a wide range of charitable organizations in the communities that we serve. Throughout our long history, our credit union has earned countless awards and commendations for our intensive year-round community involvement practices which we are very proud and sincerely grateful. We strive to embrace the merits of good citizenship — and expand our value to society.”

Winwood said that long-standing commitment to the community is important.

“First Choice America is proud of our rich heritage of serving our members and the communities in which they live since our beginning in 1939. We have established strong bonds with our members by providing the most cost-effective alternative for all their financial needs. We value and cherish these bonds, and are grateful to our members for their loyalty. We will never cease in our efforts to earn both your business and your trust. We remain a safe haven, a reliable resource and a leader that you can count on for all your financial needs, today and tomorrow. We appreciate your business and welcome the opportunity to serve you,” he said.

During the meeting, Edward L. Kennedy and John R. Thayer were re-elected to the board of directors. Richard Schaffer, 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.