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Recent Press Releases

  • Greenville Federal Credit Union and Greer High School hold ribbon-cutting ceremony for student-run branch.

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    Greer High School and Greenville Federal Credit Union held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on September 1, 2023, marking the opening of the second student-run branch in Greenville County Schools.

    The Branch at Greer High brings real-world financial literacy and education into the school and allows students to gain real-life experience and preparation both for college and future careers as outlined in the District’s Graduation Plus (external link) initiative.

    “This program represents the embodiment of our commitment to ensuring our students have opportunities to develop the skills and characteristics needed to be college- and career-ready. We are proud to offer them an environment in which they can expand upon their knowledge and skills while working in a professional business setting within their school. An important part of industry certification and job preparation is hands-on and real-world experience. We commend these students for taking advantage of this opportunity while also learning and modeling financial responsibility for the entire school community,” said Dr. Burke Royster, Superintendent of Greenville County Schools.

    “We are excited to present our newest high school branch to the Greer community,” said Paul Hughes, Greenville Federal Credit Union President. “We believe the financial and career skills students gain from this program will benefit them well beyond graduation. From the beginning, our hope has always been to offer this experience to more students by extending the high school branch program to additional schools in the district. Greer High was the perfect second location, and we’re proud to join the Yellow Jackets.”

    Greer High and Greenville Federal Credit Union selected seven students to work alongside teacher, Ms. Merilys Rivera-Vega, leading the student-run branch.

    Jaidyn Watson, Student Specialist Auditor with The Branch at Greer High, shared with those in attendance that “to prepare for our roles, each of us completed a 100-hour paid internship with Greenville Federal Credit Union this summer, which included in-classroom and on-the-job training alongside credit union professionals. As part of our honors curriculum, not only are we learning about budgeting and finance, but we get to share our knowledge with other classes as we present on topics such as Fraud Prevention, Understanding Credit, and Money Management 101. All these activities and experiences will help us develop life and career skills that will benefit us the rest of our lives”. 

    Greer High Principal Justin Ludley shared, “Our students are already demonstrating their professional skills in the workplace here at The Branch. This is attributed to the hard work and excellent training which they have received from both Greenville Federal Credit Union and their teacher, Ms. Rivera-Vega. We are excited at what lies ahead for The Branch at Greer High.”

    “For these students, this opportunity is more than learning about finances, it’s about relationships,” said Greer Mayor Rick Danner. “These skills will aid you in your future careers as you learn about working with people and the ability to build trust in business relationships”.

    “What a great opportunity you have here at The Branch at Greer High. I commend you for what you are doing here. This is something we embrace as a business community and will greatly enhance the opportunities granted to the students of Greer,” said Greer Chamber of Commerce President David Merhib.

    The Branch at Greer High offers students, faculty, and staff access to financial services such as savings and checking accounts, debit cards, and online banking. Students enrolled in the work-based learning program earn Honors-level course credit and a paid internship. The hands-on experience will not only help students develop leadership, marketing and organizational skills, it will help them stand out in the job market upon graduation. The students received in-depth training during the summer that prepared them for opening and operating The Branch.

    The student-run branch is not open to the general public. Students, faculty and staff have daily access to the financial services provided by The Branch at Greer High during the lunch periods at school. The public has the opportunity to select a special Greer High Yellow Jackets debit card at their local Greenville Federal Credit Union Branch to support The Branch at Greer High.

    This is the second student-run branch of Greenville Federal Credit Union to operate inside a Greenville County Schools high school. The Branch at Greenville High opened in 2016. 

    posted by Catherine James, SVP Marketing 2023-09-05
  • Greenville Federal Credit Union named a 2023 Best Credit Union to Work For by American Banker.

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    Greenville Federal Credit Union has been named one of the 2023 Best Credit Unions to Work For by American Banker, for the second year in a row.  The list includes 70 credit unions across the country that range in size from 22 employees to more than 3,200.  

    “Employee development and engagement are key pieces of our strategic plan, and we are thankful our efforts are being recognized again this year,” said credit union president Paul Hughes.  “We are fortunate to have such a strong team of talented, committed individuals on our staff and we know that any investment in their growth improves our ability to deliver exceptional service for our members.”

    Credit unions that made the list were selected through two different surveys with the help of Best Companies Group. The first survey examined employee satisfaction and covered eight areas, including leadership and planning, corporate culture and communication, and overall engagement. An institution needed at least a 40% participation rate in the survey, and on average at least 80% of respondents had to answer "agree strongly" or "agree somewhat" across the different topics. Survey data indicated that the employees at the credit unions that made the list were happier in a variety of areas compared with the institutions that didn't make the cut. 

    This is the second employer award Greenville Federal Credit Union has earned in 2023. The official announcement can be found at:
    https://www.americanbanker.com/creditunions/list/best-credit-unions-to-work-for  (external link)


    About Greenville Federal Credit Union
    Greenville Federal Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial alternative to traditional banking with five branch locations in Greenville, Greer, and Mauldin serving more than 33,000 members. The more than $430 million credit union was founded by nine employees from the School District of Greenville County as an educator’s credit union in 1968. In 2001, the credit union approved a conversion to a community-based charter to serve anyone who lives, works, worships, or attends school in Greenville County. The National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), an agency of the federal government, insures all accounts up to $250,000.  For more information, please visit the credit union’s website at www.greenvillefcu.com or call 864.235.6309.

     

    posted by Catherine James, SVP Marketing and Brand Strategy 2023-08-29
  • Greenville Federal Credit Union awards 20 grants to local teachers.

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    Pictured: Grant recipient Charis Burger with Principal Mike Peake, Mauldin High School.

    Credit union doubles the number of grants awarded due to overwhelming number of applications submitted.

    Greenville Federal Credit Union announced the recipients of 20, $500 grants to Greenville County Schools teachers as part of its Teacher Grants program, doubling the number of grants originally planned for 2023. The annual grants program is designed to help teachers fund projects or needs within their classrooms for the upcoming school year.

    During the summer the credit union received 448 applications, a 474% increase over the previous year. Applications representing 90 different elementary, middle, high, and special focus schools across Greenville County were submitted. The grant requests covered a wide range of projects and needs – from STEAM kits to sheet music, basketballs, and makerspace supplies.

    “When we began to see the significant increase in applications over last year’s grant cycle, we knew we needed to do more,” said Paul Hughes, credit union President and CEO.  “Teachers in our community are doing all they can to inspire curiosity and learning in their classrooms. We know these grants will give them the extra support they need to continue to deliver great lessons and experiences for their students.”

    This year’s grants will be applied to initiatives across a variety of subject areas including academics, arts, athletics, student wellness, enrichment, outdoor spaces, and career and technical education (CTE) programs.

    The 2023 Greenville Federal Credit Union Foundation Teacher Grant recipients are:

    • Michael Parrish, Alexander Elementary School
    • Mary McGowan, Berea Elementary School
    • Cynthia Brown, Blue Ridge Middle School
    • Mattie Mitchell, Blythe Academy
    • Renee Covert, Bryson Middle School
    • Adam Ezell, Fountain Inn Elementary School
    • Grace Eskew, Gateway Elementary School
    • Brian Simpson, Golden Strip Career Center
    • Taylor Gibson, Greer High School
    • Maureen Prince, Hillcrest High School
    • Bruce "Dunn" Franco, Lakeview Middle School
    • Charis Burger, Mauldin High School
    • Brad Johnson, Riverside Middle School
    • Erin Camire, Sara Collins Elementary School
    • Monica Fite, Sevier Middle School
    • Melody Powell, Stone Academy
    • Erica McCall, Taylors Elementary School
    • Cynthia Brandeis, Travelers Rest High School
    • Leila Tyler, Wade Hampton High School
    • Kathy Hopkins, Woodmont Middle School


    The Teacher Grants program is part of the Greenville Federal Credit Union Foundation which exists to promote local prosperity by providing grants, educational scholarships, and other funding support for individuals and non-profit, community-based programs within Greenville County, SC, with a primary focus on youth and education.  The Foundation relies on financial support from the credit union and through donations from members, business partners, and the public. Funding is managed through a charitable donation account by the credit union’s philanthropic partner, Carolina’s Credit Union Foundation, a 501(c)(3), grant-making public foundation supported by the credit union system in the Carolinas.

    For more information about the Greenville Federal Credit Union Foundation and the Teacher Grants program, visit www.greenvillefcu.com/foundation.


    About Greenville Federal Credit Union

    Greenville Federal Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial alternative to traditional banking with six branch locations in Greenville County serving more than 33,000 members. The $420 million credit union was founded by nine employees from the School District of Greenville County as an educator’s credit union in 1968. In 2001, the credit union approved a conversion to a community-based charter to serve anyone who lives, works, worships, or attends school in Greenville County. The National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), an agency of the federal government, insures all accounts up to $250,000.  For more information, please visit the credit union’s website at www.greenvillefcu.com or call 800.336.6309.

     

     

    posted by Catherine James, SVP Marketing and Brand Strategy 2023-08-22

For Media Inquiries 

Catherine James 
SVP Marketing and Brand Strategy 
864.235.6309


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