CUs grow and do good in the community

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

DATCU announces agreement with University of North Texas

Denton-based credit union enters partnership to develop future industry leaders

Corinth, Texas-based DATCU and the University of North Texas announced a partnership that makes the credit union the exclusive financial institution for the university and provides naming rights to the UNT football stadium.

“It’s a great marriage between two distinctly Denton institutions,” said Glen McKenzie, DATCU CEO. “We were founded in 1936 by UNT educators and teachers from local school districts for the purpose of serving educators. This partnership honors that original vision and further engrains us into the North Texas region.”

DATCU began as the Denton County Teachers Federal Credit Union on the campus of North Texas State Teachers College, which eventually changed names to the University of North Texas. Dr. V.Y. Craig, Ross Compton, and 11 others pooled together an initial investment of $650 to protect the financial assets of teachers during the Great Depression. DATCU has since grown to more than 100,000 members and assets of $1.5 billion.

The partnership also extends to the UNT Career Center with the credit union offering advice and soft skill seminars to prepare students for professional careers, as well as experiential training in several different fields.

“As a proud alumna, I do think it is important to build relationships that honor the vision of our institution’s founders,” said Melanie Vest, DATCU president. “I know UNT has a mission to train and inspire our future leaders. We share that passion and seek to build a solid financial foundation for those leaders.”

The university’s board of regents and President Neal Smatresk finalized the partnership during an executive session of their scheduled meeting on July 28. The announcement was made formally at a media event Aug. 1 in the Hub Club of the newly named DATCU Stadium. Installation of the signage is expected to be completed this summer, in time for UNT’s first football game against California Sept. 2.

Endurance FCU breaks ground on corporate building

Endurance Federal Credit Union recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for their new corporate building at 2009 North Highway 81, Duncan, Okla.

“We have been working on this project for months,” said CEO Chris Bower. “And we are excited to see it finally get started. This is going to open up many new opportunities for growth and development for the credit union.”

Bower added, “In our new building we are also creating a community meeting room where our members will be able to reserve this space to host family gatherings, parties, meetings, and so much more. We hope this will show the community that we are trying to meet other additional needs, not just their financial needs.”