As I begin this new year and reflect on the events of 2022, I’m seeing it’s an inspiring time for Hanscom Federal Credit Union. We’re going to see some incredible milestones in our 70th year — reaching 100,000 members is only the beginning. We’re envisioning a future where everyone has the knowledge and confidence to make sound financial decisions, build wealth, and know who they can trust when seeking advice or help.
The last twelve months were marked by accomplishments that will drive us forward; here are some exciting highlights I want to share with you:
- We're continuing to thrive with earnings up over $1.5 million from 2021 and loan growth exceeding 10%. We’re well-positioned to continue serving our members in the years ahead with ongoing strong performance like this.
We welcomed Hanscom FCU’s fifth President/CEO in February when David Sprague, after a quarter-century of leadership, passed the torch to Peter Rice. Peter has spent the year immersing himself in learning everything he can about our organization, our diverse membership, and the communities our credit union serves. He’s a forward-thinking leader with a passion for purpose, and our entire Board is excited about the many plans he and his leadership team are working on.
- We've received a 5-star rating by BauerFinancial, an independent bank and credit union rating firm, recognizing Hanscom FCU as one of the strongest financial institutions in the country.
- Our commitment to the veteran community has grown through our support of and partnership with organizations like Home Base, Massachusetts Department of Veterans’ Services, Massachusetts Fallen Heroes, Clear Path for Veterans, and Veterans Inc. One highlight was participating in the InnoVets Pitch Competition in July, a program operating under Massachusetts Fallen Heroes. Hanscom FCU awarded three veteran and Gold Star family entrepreneurs seed money to grow their small businesses. As Peter says, “Our veterans step into a deadly separation gap when they leave the military, and it’s within this gap these men and women meet their greatest challenges, their greatest dangers. However, it’s within this gap that we can honor our debt to veterans. At Hanscom FCU, we’re in that gap with them, every day, providing access to financial wellness so they're able to focus on their physical and mental wellness.”
We're Helping Veteran- and Gold Star Family-owned Businesses Thrive
The Mass Fallen Heroes InnoVets program is Boston’s first Veteran and Gold Star family-focused entrepreneurship accelerator program designed to connect, inspire, and support Veterans and Gold Star families as they establish and grow their businesses. We invite you to watch the video to learn more about the program.
- We hired two key executives, beginning with Penny Swallow joining us as Chief Financial Officer in August, stepping into a role vacated by Kim Houle, who’ll be retiring at the end of January 2023. Kim has stayed on board as Chief Accounting Officer to assist with the transition. We also welcomed Jim Flanagan as our Chief Information Officer in September. Jim will bring Hanscom FCU’s technological ideas to life in fresh, innovative ways through gamification, robotics, artificial intelligence, and other cutting-edge methods.
Leadership
Media Center- Hanscom FCU won several industry awards, including a Diamond Award from the Credit Union National Association for our #BuildHope campaign, which raised money for local charities, and a bronze-level award from the Marketing Association of Credit Unions for our video about a local veteran-owned business. The credit union also won three first-place awards from the Cooperative Credit Union Association: the Louise Herring Philosophy-in-Action Member Service Award, the Desjardins Youth Financial Education Award, and the Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Community Service Award
"Members First" is, and has always been, Hanscom FCU's #1 value. The key questions our employees and volunteers asked in 2022 were rooted in member experience: "How will this decision affect members?" or "What benefit will this offer?" are questions we hear (and ask) daily. Members First will always be our #1 value, but these four other important values we hold dear, too.
We continue our mission to help Hanscom FCU members achieve financial wellness wherever they are in life. As part of our mission "to be the trusted advisor that people turn to for unbiased financial guidance,” we’ve dedicated ourselves to becoming the go-to source for reliable financial advice. We’re excited we’ll be introducing a new financial wellness program very soon! Our members will get access to personalized coaching from certified wellness coaches — with both in-person and digital options available — to help them find confidence on a path toward a secure future.
As always, thank you for your membership and the trust you’ve placed in us throughout the last seventy years. I wish you and your family a peaceful, healthy, and prosperous 2023 and beyond.
Sincerely,
John A. Delcore
Chairman of the Board