SECU Activists "Occupy Greensboro!"

RALEIGH, N.C., Oct. 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Nearly 1,100 State Employees' Credit Union (SECU) Advisory Board members traveled to Greensboro, North Carolina on Tuesday, October 11th to attend their Credit Union's 74th Annual Meeting.  Held at the Sheraton Koury Convention Center, the Meeting provided attendees with an opportunity to show support for their cooperative and its "Do the Right Thing" mission.  Prior to the business session, SECU volunteers were invited to a luncheon and breakout educational sessions covering the Credit Union's financial advisory services, as well as information on what SECU is doing to assist members in laid-off situations.  The educational sessions ended with a general forum where movie clips from the critically-acclaimed Inside Job were shown, also allowing time for attendees to participate in roundtable discussions on the economic crisis, its impact on their communities, and what they and SECU can do going forward.

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SECU's Board of Directors works hard to ensure that the voices of the Credit Union's 3,000 volunteers are heard, and engages these member-owners by inviting them to attend educational sessions prior to the Annual Meeting.  Advisory Board members, who make up the majority of the volunteer base and represent each of SECU's 238 branches, were asked what topics they would be interested in learning more about during the sessions.  This year's topics provided information about more non-traditional SECU services including insurance, investments, and trust services, which encompasses wills, living wills, health care and durable powers of attorney.  Also highlighted was how the Credit Union is assisting laid-off workers through its Mortgage Assistance Program, already helping approximately 8,000 families avoid foreclosure and stay in their homes, with half of those back on a regular payment schedule.

A general session then covered excerpts from the movie Inside Job, enlightening the audience on causes of the 2008 financial meltdown and providing a topic for roundtable discussions.  Noting that even though State Employees' Credit Union was not part of the cause, the discussions centered on what SECU members are seeing in their local communities, how individuals can best assist, and what SECU can do to address the ongoing economic crisis.

In his Chairman's remarks, SECU Board of Directors Chair Jim Barber noted the following, "Being a member of State Employees' Credit Union has never been more beneficial.  Low-cost services, equitable treatment, a trusted provider and 'People Helping People' philosophy are attributes of a financial cooperative that, in today's continuing uncertain economic times, are essential."  Barber lauded the Meeting's attendance by so many supporters, adding, "Tough economic times may continue, but with SECU's cooperative attributes, financial safety and soundness, and 'Do the Right Thing' focus, the Credit Union is positioned to serve members now and in the future."

About SECU

SECU is a not-for-profit financial cooperative owned by its members.  SECU has been providing the employees of the State of North Carolina and their families with consumer financial services for almost 75 years.  Currently serving nearly 1.7 million members, SECU provides services through 238 branch offices, nearly 1,100 ATMs, 24/7 Contact Centers and a website, www.ncsecu.org.

SOURCE State Employees' Credit Union