| COVER FEATURE


or Express Services phones located in each SCCU branch, existing and potential members can open deposit accounts, apply for first mortgages and apply for loans in minutes. “It’s all about saving time,” says Samuels. “What members gain from the Express process is signifi-


cant time savings and a consistent level of service delivery,” adds Meredith Gibson, senior vice president of marketing. “The Express associates are experienced in listening for the need and recommending the appropriate product or service solution.” Other initiatives SCCU has implemented over the years


includes various member rewards and discount programs; a “watchdog” program that allows members to generate unbi- ased ratings and reviews of their experiences with SCCU; and a program called “eWays to Win,” which offers incentives for utilizing the company’s online banking services; as well as multiple community outreach and donation programs.


The Merger Over the past year, SCCU has undergone the largest and, by


most accounts, the most complex, strategic move in its history. On June 30, 2009, Eastern Financial Florida Credit Union was


Space Coast Credit Union: An Historical Timeline


1957 The organization


reaches $1 million in assets and opens its first branch office in Cape Canaveral


1951 With 28 members and $372 in assets, the organization is founded as Patrick Air Force Base Credit Union by 7 civil service employees


1975 The organization opens its Patrick Air Force Base branch


1980 The organization becomes a charter member of the CU-24, the first ATM network in Florida and changes its name to Space Coast Credit Union


1985 With 43,000 members, the organization’s CALL-24 bank- by-phone is introduced


1997 SCCU’s Express


Lending Call Center is introduced


1995 SCCU launches SCCU.com


2001 With 117,000 members, SCCU celebrates its 50th anniversary and the Education Donation Program is introduced


merged into the organization, making SCCU the third largest credit union in Florida, serving over 380,000 members with $3.2 billion in assets through a network of 63 branches and 145 ATMs spanning nearly the entire I-95 corridor and its surrounding communities. The ultimate step to completing the merger was to bring


all the data from Eastern Financial Florida Credit Union’s operating systems on to SCCU’s systems. This was the largest systems conversion in credit union history. Planning for the conversion was an all-company effort that was driven through 19 teams, each with a specific focus, and each consisting of employees from both credit unions. To ensure all operational aspects were taken into consideration, each team included technical, management and front-line employees. Overall, it is estimated that by May 3, 2010, the date the integration was completed, over 250,000 labor hours were spent converting and consolidating the two entities. While Samuels admits that in the short-term the merger


has been disruptive, he believes in the long-term it will provide better operational efficiencies and because SCCU is a not-for- profit, also will allow the organization to offer better returns to its members.


34]OCTOBER2010 spacecoastbusiness.com


Historical photos courtesy of SCCU.


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