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  • Greenville Federal Credit Union named SHARE 2024 Corporate Partner of the Year

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    Sunbelt Human Advancement Resources, Inc. (SHARE) announced Greenville Federal Credit Union as the recipient of its 2024 SC State Head Start Association Corporate Partner of the Year Award in November 2024.

    The credit union was awarded this recognition for its year-long commitment to developing and delivering a variety of flexible financial literacy programs to support the family outcome goals of SHARE’s Parent Community Engagement Framework.

    Throughout the year, the credit union conducted free hybrid financial literacy workshops for Head Start parents and employees, which allowed flexibility for families to attend in person or remotely. To encourage attendance, engagement, and practical application of lessons, incentives were distributed to participants at each monthly workshop.

    “This partnership was designed to provide training on budgeting basics, banking basics, credit scores and loans, healthy debt, homebuying basics, and saving for the future. Additional topics were chosen based on parent feedback and need,” said Patrice Hawthorne, SHARE Family Partnership Facilitator. “By collaborating with the credit union, SHARE Head Start strengthened our ability to help families move toward their economic mobility goals and achieve better outcomes for children and families.”

    “We are grateful to work with such a strong partner in our efforts to foster financial wellness for individuals, families, and the neighborhoods we serve across Greenville County,” said Sarah Bell, credit union Director of Community Engagement. 

    In addition to financial literacy workshops, the credit union donated $5,000 to Roper Mountain Science Center to bring its popular program, “Science on Wheels” to all Greenville County Head Start locations during the spring. Ten four-year-old classes enjoyed the classroom-based program, “Habitat Hunters – Are You My Home?”, where students met three live animals from the science center’s collection and learned what each animal needs to survive.

    “Greenville Federal Credit Union staff are passionate about serving all aspects of the community and supporting Head Start programming to fulfill the family outcome goals of the Parent, Family, and Community Engagement Framework,” continued Hawthorne.  

    The credit union will continue its partnership with SHARE in 2025 by providing additional opportunities for the Parent Community Engagement Framework.

     

     

     

     

    posted by Catherine James, SVP Marketing and Brand Strategy 2025-01-02

  • Greenville Federal Credit Union provided more than $1M in local loan assistance in wake of hurricane disaster.

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    Special Relief Loans were needed to repair damage, remove debris, and replenish lost food and supplies.

    Less than five days after Hurricane Helene stormed through Greenville and Western North Carolina in late September, Greenville Federal Credit Union launched a special low-rate loan to help members cover immediate financial need during the crisis. Available to all members and community, the Special Relief personal loan offered a low 4.99 % APR fixed rate to help members pay for a range of uses including tree removal, damages, lost wages, insurance deductibles, food replacement, and appliance replacement.

    “Once the credit union regained power and opened the majority of our branches after the storm, we focused our efforts on identifying how we might best support our members and community through this historic event,” said Paul Hughes, credit union President and CEO. “It became clear almost immediately that many people across our area were suddenly facing extreme financial burden beyond the typical weather-related power outage problems. We knew offering access to a low-cost personal loan option would be the best way we could help.”

    With more than 200,000 homes in Greenville impacted by power and internet outages for days after the storm, finding ways to share disaster assistance information and resources with members and the community became the credit union’s top priority. The credit union helped spread information quickly through a coordinated communication plan and good “old-fashioned” word-of-mouth.

    Over 330 people applied for special relief loans during the weeks following the hurricane with most requesting the funds to help make rent payments, pay for damages, and replace food spoiled during the lengthy power outage. The credit union’s lending and member service teams pivoted their activities to focus solely on processing, reviewing and underwriting incoming applications, and funding loans as quickly as possible.

    Four months after the hurricane, the credit union is now seeing a steady inflow of FEMA reimbursements, insurance claim disbursements, and internet service refunds to member accounts. “We are glad to see so many members are now receiving additional assistance to help stabilize their finances ahead of holiday spending,” continued Hughes. “As Greenville’s credit union, our goal is to always step up to make financial services and resources affordable and accessible for all - in good times and in bad – because in doing so, we help improve the well-being of our members and community.”

    posted by Catherine James, SVP Marketing and Brand Strategy 2025-01-02

  • Credit union creates special low, fixed-rate personal loan to support community in wake of Hurricane Helene disaster.

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    Special Relief loan is designed to help with disaster-related expenses

    October 7, 2024 - Greenville, SC   Less than five days after Hurricane Helene stormed through Greenville and Western North Carolina, Greenville Federal Credit Union has launched a special loan to cover disaster-related expenses. Available to all members, new and existing, the Special Relief personal loan offers a low, 4.99% APR fixed rate and terms up to 72 months, and can be used for a range of needs including tree removal, damages, lost wages, insurance deductibles, food replacement, appliance replacement, and more.

    “Once the credit union regained power and opened the majority of our branches after the storm, we focused our efforts on identifying how we might best support our members and community through this historic event,” said Paul Hughes, credit union President and CEO. “It became clear almost immediately that most people across our area were suddenly facing extreme financial burdens, beyond our typical winter power outage problems. We knew offering access to a low-cost personal loan option would be the best way we can help.”

    So far loan applicants have used the Special Relief loan to assist with rent payments, damages, and food replacement. The credit union is also offering additional assistance to existing loan holders through Skip-a-Pay and payment deferment options.   

    Anyone who lives, works, worships, or attends school in Greenville County is eligible to join the credit union and apply for a Special Relief loan. Learn more about the Special Relief loan and other resources at www.greenvillefcu.com/disaster-assistance.


    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 34,000 members. The $455 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.


    *Annual Percentage Rate as of 10/03/2024. Offer applies to new loans and is subject to credit approval and membership eligibility. Your payment amount will vary depending on term and amount borrowed. A 36-month Special Relief Personal loan with 4.99% APR would have monthly payments of $29.97 per thousand borrowed. Maximum term is 72 months. Interest will accrue during the 90-day no payment period. Offer can end at any time.


     

    posted by Catherine James, SVP Marketing and Brand Strategy 2024-10-07

For Media Inquiries 

Catherine James 
SVP Marketing and Brand Strategy 
864.235.6309

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