23 May 2014

Ascentra Credit Union Awards $10,000 in Scholarships

By Alvaro Macias

Ten Winners Announced

BETTENDORF - A total of $10,000 was given to area students to help pay for their college costs as part of the Ascentra Credit Union Scholarship Competition.  There were five $1,000 scholarships available for high school students planning to enter college.  The other five $1,000 scholarships were for members age 19 or over, considered non-traditional or continuing education students. This year Ascentra expanded the number of scholarship recipients from two to ten to better serve our growing membership.

The high school scholarship winners include :

·        Jacob Logan, Bettendorf, Iowa

·        Madison Temperly, Eldridge, Iowa

·        Caitlin Thom, Bettendorf, Iowa

·        Lauren Pittman, Clinton, Iowa

·        Taylor Trumbo, Davenport, Iowa

The non-traditional or continuing education winners include :

·        Micaela Terronez, East Moline, Illinois

·        Hailey Oepping, Muscatine, Iowa

·        Maddison Theisen, LeClaire, Iowa

·        Jessica Tucker, Cleveland, Illinois

·        Darcey Jansen, Eldridge, Iowa

Photos and more information about the winners can be found at www.ascentra.org.  All entries are judged on their essay, resume, awards, extracurricular activities, volunteer services and work experience.  The competition is announced every October with the deadline in March of the following year. Official rules may be picked up at any of our branches or found online at www.ascentra.org/scholarships.

Awarding a total of $10,000 in scholarships is another way Ascentra Credit Union recognizes that financial planning and education is essential to lifetime success for our members and community.

 

About us:

 

.  Follow Ascentra on Facebook and on Twitter @ascentra.

26 Mar 2014

Local Credit Union Earns Six National Awards

By Alvaro Macias

Ascentra Credit Union Earns Six Diamond Awards for Excellence in Marketing and Public Relations

BETTENDORF, IOWA - Ascentra Credit Union was recently honored with a total of six Diamond Awards, which recognize outstanding marketing and business development achievements in the credit union industry.

The awards were presented by the Credit Union National Association (CUNA) Marketing and Business Development Council at the council's annual conference held March 12-15 in Orlando, Fla.  Awards are given in multiple categories ranging from advertising to community events and beyond.

"Many people have told us how much they love our marketing.   Last year we implemented a fresh new approach to our marketing and we have done bigger campaigns and projects that have really tested us," Ascentra Credit Union President and CEO Dale Owen said.  "It's great to know that people respond well to your message but it's a beautiful thing to also be recognized at the national level by our industry."

Ascentra Credit Union earned three prestigious Category's Best awards that include credit unions of all asset sizes.   Ascentra received top honors in the following categories:

·         Brand Awareness: Ascentra's overall 2013 brand awareness campaign.

·         Community/Public Relations One-Time Event: Events leading up to the grand opening of the new branch in Bettendorf and dedication of the building to their late CEO Paul Lensmeyer.

·         Television (single and series): Ascentra's television advertising campaign.

The credit union was the winner in their asset size class in the following categories:

·         Community/PR-Ongoing Event: Steppin' Up Program and Pay it Forward partnership with WQAD News 8.

·         Point of Sale Display and Retail Merchandising: ZIP - My Online Services campaign.

·         Complete Campaign: 10 & Done! Mortgage Freedom Loan campaign.

"The Diamond Award competition is the most prestigious competition for excellence in marketing and business development in the credit union industry," said Michelle Hunter, Chair of the CUNA Marketing & Business Development Council, and SVP of Marketing & Development at Credit Union of Southern California.  "Credit unions that receive these awards should be extremely proud of their accomplishments and know that their work represents the very best examples of creativity, innovation, relevance, and execution. The Diamond Awards are not easily earned and the CUNA Marketing & Business Development Council is proud to honor those who are deserving of this recognition."

Under the direction of VP of Marketing & Public Relations Jennifer Naeve, Ascentra's marketing department has evolved to expand beyond their office space to reach members and future members with a lively and energetic new attitude that connects with the people of the areas it serves.

"We have great support from our management team, staff and board of directors," Naeve said.  "It just shows what can be accomplished when we are all aligned.  I really have an amazing team and am very proud of our efforts.  It is extremely important to us to do all we can to communicate our products and services to our members, to be their financial partner in achieving their financial goals, and continuing to grow our organization and making it financially sound for our members.  Everything we do is with our members and community in mind."

About us:

Founded in 1950, Ascentra Credit Union, is Iowa's premier credit union with more than $340 million in assets and 10 branches serving the communities of Bettendorf, Clinton, Davenport, Le Claire, Muscatine, Iowa and Moline, Ill. Learn more about Ascentra Credit Union at ascentra.org. Follow Ascentra on Facebook and on Twitter @ascentra.

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10 Jan 2012

ASCENTRA CREDIT UNION IS AWARDED TWO GRANTS TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL EDUCATION FOR AREA SCHOOLS

By Alvaro Macias

BETTENDORF, Iowa -Ascentra Credit Union was recently awarded $10,000 through two grants to help the organization's financial education efforts in our community in 2012.  The funds will be used for real-world financial literacy programs like "Banzai!"  The grants were provided by the National Credit Union Foundation and the Iowa Credit Union Foundation.

"When 18 to 24 year olds are the fastest growing demographic declaring bankruptcy, it's clear that there is a need for young people to be more financially savvy," Ascentra Credit Union's Community Development Coordinator Alvaro Macias said.  "For that reason financial education for young people is now more important than ever."

Ascentra realizes teachers need resources for an often mandated, but also often underfunded curriculum of financial literacy.  As a not-for-profit financial institution that promotes financial education to its members, teachers can count on an organization that shares the same values to provide a free, comprehensive, quality financial education program.

Banzai has been requested by 19 in 2011 area teachers and Ascentra plans to at least double that to 35-42 teachers.  If you are a teacher, and interested in Banazai please visit http://ascentra.teachbanzai.com to learn more and sign up to receive free materials for your classes.  You can even see how your state's financial literacy standards align with Banzai.

Some of the schools that have used Banzai include Davenport North High School, Assumption High School, Williams Intermediate School, Rock Island High School, Moline High School, Prince of Peace High School and many more.

"By preparing students with a solid understanding of how to manage their money, they will be better prepared when starting out in life and stepping out into the real world," Macias added.

For more information about Ascentra Credit Union please visit www.ascentra.org.  To learn more about the National Credit Union Foundation visit www.ncuf.coop.  To learn more about the Iowa Credit Union Foundation visit www.iowacreditunions.com.

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