Contributed CREDIT UNION AWARD — A highlight of Tuesday’s annual meeting of First Choice America Credit Union was the presentation of the annual Community Spirit Award to the Chester/Newell FISH Foundation. This organization is dedicated to feeding the hungry in the Chester and Newell area. The organization received a plaque and a cash award of $2,500. Among those on hand were the credit union’s board of directors and the award winners, from left, Edward O. Kennedy; John R. Thayer; Scott E. Winwood; Jean Chaney, FISH Foundation; Cathy Glass, FISH Foundation; Bob Glass, FISH Foundation; Kenneth W. Truax and Thomas F. Thayer.

WEIRTON — First Choice America Credit Union continued to make significant progress in 2025, amid tough competition, economic uncertainty, and a volatile interest rate environment. The credit union steadily moved forward, buoyed by the excellent performance of a committed employee team and the support and loyalty of its 33,000 members.

“Our employee team worked diligently to maintain a safe, sound and secure financial institution for our members,” Scott E. Winwood, chairman of the board, noted during the credit union’s annual meeting Tuesday.

Among milestones announced from 2025 were the growth of assets to a record $689.5 million, expanding deposits to a record $564.5 million and the preservation of a strong capital position.

“These achievements reflect the commitment to success of the officials, management, and staff of First Choice America,” Winwood said. “Our employee team is professional and highly skilled, dedicated to excellence in serving our members and very proud of the significant strides made during the past year. 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 credit unions.”

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

With fewer fees, better rates, more personalized service, and a full array of financial products and services, your membership in First Choice America gives its members a meaningful financial advantage — better value for their money, officials explained.

First Choice strives to embrace the merits of good citizenship — and expand its value to society — by generously supporting a wide range of charitable organizations in the communities that it serves, all in an effort to be a living example of the credit union’s philosophy of people helping people.

“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,” Winwood said. “We have established strong relationships with our members by providing the most cost-effective alternative for all their financial needs. We value and cherish these relationships, 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, both today and tomorrow. We appreciate your business and welcome the opportunity to serve you. With your continued support, First Choice America is well-positioned for the future based on our successful past.”

During the meeting, Edward O. Kennedy and John R. Thayer were re-elected to the board of directors. Richard Schaffer, president of the West Virginia Credit Union League, also spoke.

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