Travis Credit Union Wins Distinguished Service Award
Vacaville, CA — For the fifth time in twenty years Travis Credit Union has won the “Air Force Distinguished Credit Union Award.” The national award is presented annually by the U. S. Department of the Air Force to the on-base credit union that has gone above and beyond its duty to provide financial service and financial education to Air Force members. Only one credit union is selected throughout the entire Air Force to receive this award.
Thomas Murphy, US Air Force Deputy Assistant Secretary for Financial Operations presented the award at the Defense Credit Union Council Annual Conference on Aug. 19, in Chicago, IL.
Murphy noted that Travis Credit Union’s nomination stood out from others because of the credit union’s level of participation on the base.
“In 2018 alone, Travis Credit Union provided financial education classes to nearly 1,000 military members and conducted over 250 seminars to promote financial fitness,” Travis Air Force Base 60th Air Mobility Wing Commander Col. Jeffrey W. Nelson stated. “Between these classes and supporting over 600 community and base events, the credit union encapsulates an unwavering commitment to serve Team Travis.”
Travis Credit Union financial education efforts were lauded for their affect on financial readiness training mandated by the Department of Defense as well as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Award nominations
Every year, the Office of the Assistant Secretary to the Air Force chooses an outstanding bank or credit union based on what special programs, financial education, financial services and community support the financial organization in question offers.
Nominations for the award were completed in March. Criteria for the award were divided into several categories; 1) Leadership and management, including quality of customer service, automated teller services, participation in base activities and adequacy of facilities; 2) Financial education programs and training offered to the young people working or residing on base; 3) Financial services provided to deployed members and their families to include actions taken to combat payday lending; 4) Participation in the “Military Saves” program; and support of community programs.
Customer service and responsiveness
“Travis Credit Union clearly demonstrated excellent customer service and responsiveness to the needs of the Travis Air Force Base community,” said John P. Roth, Assistant Secretary, Financial Management and Comptroller for the Department of the Air Force.
Barry Nelson, president and CEO of Travis Credit Union said, “It’s an honor to be selected and to be of service on the base. “We’ve partnered with Travis Air Force Base for over 68 years and continue to look for opportunities to demonstrate the credit union’s philosophy of “people helping people. We are honored to serve those who serve our nation and proud of our relationship with the base.”
Travis Credit Union’s efforts include financial education through special courses and weekly Newcomers meetings. It has also supported the Military Saves program by contributing $25 to any new savings account.
Other projects include Kids Understanding Deployment Operations, Military Advance Line and low – cost line of credit to pay off predatory lenders, Fisher House, First time car buying program for military members, Retiree Appreciation Day and special financial education classes for Veterans.
During the past year, members surveyed indicated that the credit union’s services were substantially better than the competition, especially with regards to accuracy, speed of loan approval and friendliness of staff.
“Travis Credit Union’s teamwork is outstanding,” stated Nelson. “Winning the Air Force Credit Union of the Year award is telling of the amazing individuals that make up our team.”
Headquartered in Vacaville, California, Travis Credit Union is a not-for-profit cooperative financial institution serving those who live or work in Alameda, Colusa, Contra Costa, Merced, Napa, Placer, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus, and Yolo Counties. Currently, Travis Credit Union is the 14th largest credit union in California with more than 207,000 members and more than $3.1 billion in assets. As one of the leading financial institutions in Solano, Contra Costa, Yolo and Merced Counties, Travis Credit Union’s strength lies in its faithful commitment to its members; its solid, secure history; and its long-standing track record of dedicated service.