Credit Unions Breaking New Ground

Cornerstone League recognizes member credit unions’ news about their growth, expansion, and community endeavors to exemplify the “people helping people” philosophy.

 

Smart Financial CU Wins Three Crystal Awards

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For the first time, Houston-based Smart Financial Credit Union brought home three  American Marketing Association Crystal Awards. The ceremony took place May 16 at the 713 Music Hall in Houston, and Smart Financial was a finalist in five categories.

The AMA Houston Crystal Awards recognize Houston’s best and brightest marketers, including professionals within marketing, communications, advertising, design, and public relations. The AMA Houston Crystal Awards are judged purely on results and led by a panel of judges, including marketing thought leaders and educators, CMOs, business owners, and authors from around the United States (none located in Houston to avoid any conflicts of interest).

Smart Financial received Crystal Awards for:

1. Marketing Campaign, Non-Profit: Included all creative elements and results of the Smart Financial Smart Squad campaign which ran over the summer of 2023. The artwork depicting the vintage comic book theme was hand drawn by Smart Financial Visual Designer Dave Cebrero and concepted by Vice President of Marketing Andrew Huang.

2. Print Collateral Direct Marketing: A direct mail piece in the form of a comic book was mailed to a targeted audience.

3. Branding, Illustration: Artwork created for the Smart Squad campaign, hand drawn by Smart Financial Visual Designer Dave Cebrero.

“Working alongside such a talented group of marketing professionals is truly an honor,” said Smart Financial CMO Corbin Wilson. “This recognition from the American Marketing Association’s prestigious Crystal Awards is just one example of the outstanding work and creativity I see daily with our group. As a small marketing team, it’s even more of an honor to be recognized by national marketing experts and against the top-notch competition of Houston’s best marketers and agencies.”

 

TDECU Breaks Ground on Flagship Member Center

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TDECU, Houston’s largest credit union, broke ground on its highly anticipated new flagship Member Center on May 21, 2024. The not-for-profit credit union was founded in Lake Jackson in 1955 and is excited to celebrate its Brazoria County heritage with a best-in-class facility. The new building will include a 6,000-square-foot financial center, eight drive-thru bays, and a drive-up ATM. It will also feature a digitally focused design to improve the member experience.

_{Left to right: Chief Banking Officer Jose Delgado, Board Vice Chairman Roland Hendricks, Board Chairman
Dave Sikora, President/CEO Isaac Johnson, Chief Finance and Risk Officer Jason Schneider, Treasurer Ed Zingleman,
Lake Jackson Member Center Manager Esmeralda Iniguez, SVP - Brazoria County Market President Josh Brian.}

 

“TDECU was founded almost 70 years ago with the shared value of neighbor helping neighbor, and we remain committed to being financial solvers and true partners who empower people and small businesses to save, grow and protect their assets,” said TDECU SVP Market President for Brazoria County Josh Brian. “With today’s groundbreaking celebration, we strengthen our roots in Lake Jackson as we continue to help people navigate their financial journeys.

_{TDECU’s new Member Center in Lake Jackson, Texas, will include a 6,000-square-foot financial center,
eight drive-thru bays, and a drive-up ATM.} 

 

TDECU President and CEO Isaac Johnson, several TDECU board and leadership council members, and city leaders joined Brian for the historic event.

“This is such an exciting day for TDECU,” Johnson said. “With today’s groundbreaking, we are planting seeds for a brighter future for the Brazoria County community. This is not just about meeting the needs of our members today, but about laying down the groundwork for the prosperity of future generations. Each phase of our growth allows us to offer more protection and services to our members.”

The location near the intersection of Oak Drive and Center Way was selected to support the recent renovations to downtown Lake Jackson. The new Member Center will benefit the city’s efforts to make downtown Lake Jackson a vibrant and walkable destination for both residents and visitors. Upon completion, TDECU will donate the building from its existing Member Center to the City of Lake Jackson for use as a public space.