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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:
Ari Hamilton-Gery
ahamilton@nevinspr.com
410-568-8807

POINT BREEZE CREDIT UNION INSPIRES NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERS AND
ENHANCES FINANCIAL LITERACY BY AWARDING SCHOLARSHIPS TO 20 LOCAL STUDENTS

HUNT VALLEY, MD (7/14/20) – Point Breeze Credit Union recently awarded $30,000 in scholarships to 20 local high school students as part of its 14th Annual Scholarship Program.

The students, each of whom received a scholarship totaling $1,500, competed for the scholarship awards through an application process that requested details about the students’ involvement in school activities and their community, a letter of acceptance from the college or trade school of their choice, a personal reference, and an academic reference.  

In addition to the application, students were required to submit two essays – one in which they described their goals and how their education would help them achieve those goals, and a second in which they discussed strengths and weaknesses in their financial literacy skills and how Point Breeze Credit Union could help them overcome their weaknesses.

“Each year, we look forward to supporting the communities we serve by distributing scholarships for our youngest members as they work towards achieving their educational and career goals,” said Lynn Finckel, Secretary of the Point Breeze Credit Union Board of Directors and Chair of the Scholarship Committee  “The application process emphasizes the importance of financial literacy and education, which are two primary focal points for our organization.”

“We congratulate all of our members celebrating graduations this year and working towards new educational goals,” Finckel added.

Winners of Point Breeze Credit Union’s 14th Annual Scholarship Program are:

• Lauren Blake, a graduate of Towson High School who plans to attend Adelphi University;
• Francesca Burton, a North Harford High School graduate who will be attending the University of Maryland Baltimore County;
• Stephen J. Burton, a Sparrows Point High School graduate who will be attending Liberty University;
• Hereford High School graduates Gabriella Chalker, Rachel Rowe and Kara Shamus who will attend, respectively, Middlebury College, University of Maryland College Park, and University of Maryland College Park;
• Elise Dunham, a graduate of Central Dauphin High School in Pennsylvania who plans to attend Lebanon Valley College;
• Sydney Garman, who graduated from Westminster High School and will attend Elon University;
• Anthony Granruth, a Towson High School graduate who will be attending University of Maryland College Park;
• Charis Harcum, a graduate of The St. Paul’s School for Girls Baltimore who plans to attend North Carolina State University;
• Gavin Heyn, who graduated from Winter Mills High School and plans to attend Drexel University;
• Collin Katz, a graduate of Long Reach High School who will attend Loyola University Maryland;
• Patrick Lochte a Calvert Hall High School graduate who plans to attend the University of Tampa;
• Claire Polites, a Bel Air High School graduate who plans to attend the University of Maryland College Park;
• Zachary Raynes, a Friends School of Baltimore graduate who plans to attend Case Western Reserve University;
• Jacob Robinson, a Loyola Blakefield High School graduate who plans to attend Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University;
• Brennen Schneider, a Harford Technical High School graduate who plans to attend King’s College;
• Rebecca Schrader, a Archbishop Spalding High School graduate who plans to attend the University of Maryland College Park;
• Olivia Smeltzer, a graduate of Dallastown Area High School in Pennsylvania who plans to attend Mount St. Mary’s University; and
• Eleni Tartaglia who graduated from Westminster High School and will attend the University of Tennessee, Knoxville

To be eligible for the scholarship awards, students must be graduating from high school in the current calendar year and owners, joint owners, or named on a custodial account in good standing with Point Breeze Credit Union.  

About Point Breeze Credit Union

Currently celebrating its 85th year in business, Point Breeze Credit Union is one of Maryland’s largest credit unions, with more than 59,000 members and approximate assets of $800 million. A full-service financial institution that is member-owned and not-for-profit, Point Breeze offers easy, reliable banking through offices in Hunt Valley, Rosedale, Bel Air, Westminster, and Owings Mills, as well as more than 5,600 Shared Branch locations and 30,000 surcharge-free ATMs nationwide. Membership in Point Breeze is open to individuals who work, worship, or volunteer within 20 miles of a Point Breeze location. Point Breeze is federally insured by NCUA and an Equal Housing Opportunity lender. For more information, visit www.pbcu.com.

The Credit Union awarded a total of $20,000 to its members through the COVID-19 Member Support Grant.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 13, 2020

Atlantic Financial Federal Credit Union Supports
Community Financial Well-Being Through COVID-19 Epidemic

Hunt Valley, MD – As the economic uncertainty continues and consumers grapple with unexpected hardships, Atlantic Financial Federal Credit Union remains strong and ready to serve its members and the community. While AFFCU’s team on the front lines continue their essential duties as “financial first responders,” others in the organization are doing their part to support the financial well-being of members and the greater Baltimore community.

AFFCU is always driven to serve its members and ensure their financial well-being, including when hit by economic uncertainly like that brought on by the COVID-19 epidemic. “We’re certainly not in a unique situation or alone by any means, but our team has remained nimble as we quickly adapted to the changes and the new normal that is rapidly developing,” stated Matthew Piazza, President & CEO at AFFCU. “This includes our Business Development and Financial Education teams who normally work face-to-face with our employer partner groups and within the community. They’ve adapted and made use of our digital resources to find new ways to deliver on our mission of supporting our members and the communities we serve.”

The Business Development team at AFFCU, along with the credit unions Certified Credit Union Financial Counselors (CCUFC) have taken their financial wellness efforts online hosting a variety of free virtual financial education seminars. 

James Dickerson, AFFCU’s Director of Member Experience shared, “Knowledge is Power and Atlantic Financial is all about empowering our membership and supporting our community. This is a difficult time for everyone both emotionally & financially and everyone could use a little bit more power especially right now.  So, we at Atlantic Financial are very excited to bring the power back to our community though financial education and help them through this time so we can support them into the future”

AFFCU’s Business Development Coordinator and Certified Credit Union Financial Counselor, Brian Peller, added "During these unprecedented times we are so happy to be able to offer these live financial education seminars to the entire community. These seminars are designed to help improve the financial knowledge of the participant and give them direction to work towards a more fulfilled financial life."

The Credit Union will continue to leverage the digital channels to deliver on its financial wellness initiatives with online events throughout each month. This is in addition to the many free, on-demand courses and resources that area available to all on AFFCU’s website at AFFCU.org.

In addition to its outreach efforts on financial wellness, AFFCU rapidly identified and implemented opportunities to support its members financial wellbeing, providing loan relief options, free skip-a-pays, special emergency hardship loans, and recently announced the introduction of its $20,000 Covid-19 Member Support Grant.

About Atlantic Financial Federal Credit Union

Atlantic Financial Federal Credit Union (AFFCU) is a local full-service financial institution serving the employees and their families of over 190 companies and organizations. Our purpose is simple – To serve and enrich our members lives. We’re all about YOU, making your financial well-being our personal priority. We believe in keeping banking simple, while delivering financial products and services that empower you to achieve your goals and long-term financial stability. We’re committed to delivering a banking experience that revolves around you. Visit www.affcu.org to learn more. Atlantic Financial Federal Credit Union – Where you matter!

# # # #

Dear County Executive Olszewski,

As Board Chairman of the Hunt Valley Business Forum, I am writing to you with an urgent request from our members. Collectively, our members comprise over 125 businesses across all business sectors and these businesses have hundreds of employees many of which live in Baltimore County. Our membership has requested we respectfully implore you to NOT restrict Baltimore County from reopening with the State of Maryland at 5 pm Friday, May 15, 2020.

The effects of this shutdown, on our business community, have been devastating. We have had daily requests from our membership, their employees and families asking us to help them reopen their businesses without further delay. The effects are becoming more serious and are compounding with each day of continued closure.

Our members have been pursuing avenues for some relief from their financial burdens including obtaining rent relief from landlords and government programs but most of our members are now reaching into their savings and using the last of their personal funds to save what is left of their business. Time is running out for them. Many businesses have not been able to sustain the shutdown to date and have permanently closed. If these businesses remain unable to operate beyond May 15, 2020, even with the various relief efforts and using their personal savings, they will be unable to survive.

We very much appreciate the steps Baltimore County and the State have taken to convey precautions business and individuals should take. Our essential business members have successfully implemented safety protocols of various health advisors. The rest of our members as that you trust them to do the same.

Thank you for your leadership during this challenging time as you continue to protect the best interest of the County. Please do not delay the opening of Baltimore County businesses so that you can avoid further devastation and desperation on the part of your business constituents. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Lynn Finckel
Chairman - HVBF Board of Directors

POINT BREEZE CREDIT UNION OFFERS SPECIAL ASSISTANCE TO MEMBERS EXPERIENCING FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES DUE TO COVID-19

HUNT VALLEY, MD (4/9/20) – Point Breeze Credit Union is offering special assistance to members who may be experiencing financial difficulties as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Special considerations which Point Breeze is offering to members who are financially impacted by the pandemic include:

·         Skip-A-Pay with no processing fee on consumer loans, mortgages, and home equity loans;

·         Offering a special low-rate COVID-19 Assistance Loan (up to $2,000 for 24 months with first payment deferred for 60 days) for existing members experiencing particular hardship;

·         Accepting loan payments by phone with no processing fee;

·         Simplified Fraud Claim Process; and

·         Waiving late fees upon member request.

“We are here to assist members who may be experiencing financial stress as a result of COVID-19,” says Point Breeze President and CEO Bernard McLaughlin.

Beyond special considerations for financially impacted individuals, Point Breeze is offering all members free, 24/7 online and mobile services to enable easy, reliable access to their accounts and other financial services. In addition, Point Breeze is providing

·         Free Online Banking and Online Bill Pay;

·         Free Mobile Banking and Mobile Deposit;

·         AUDRE, Point Breeze’s automated phone teller; and

·         24-hour Online Loan Application and Loan-By-Phone service.

“These are just a few of the ways we are continuing to deliver easy, reliable banking to our members during the COVID-19 crisis,” notes McLaughlin. “We continue to monitor the situation closely and evaluate other ways we can support our members throughout the duration of this unprecedented situation.”

While Point Breeze has temporarily closed its lobbies as a preventive measure to protect both members and employees from the threat of COVID-19, the drive-thru lanes at all Point Breeze locations and the Point Breeze call center remain open and staffed during slightly modified business hours to serve members’ financial needs.

Point Breeze members also have 24/7 access to ATMs at all Point Breeze locations and nearly 30,000 surcharge-free CO-OP Network ATMs across the nation.

About Point Breeze Credit Union

Currently celebrating its 85^th year in business, Point Breeze Credit Union is one of Maryland’s largest credit unions, with 60,000 members and approximate assets of $800 million. A full-service financial institution that is member-owned and not-for-profit, Point Breeze offers easy, reliable banking through offices in Hunt Valley, Rosedale, Bel Air, Westminster, and Owings Mills, as well as more than 5,600 Shared Branch locations and 30,000 surcharge-free ATMs nationwide. Membership in Point Breeze is open to individuals who work, worship, or volunteer within 20 miles of a Point Breeze location. Point Breeze is federally insured by NCUA and an Equal Housing Opportunity lender. For more information, visit www.pbcu.com.

# # #

PADONIA is Maryland’s premier swim and social club. Also home to Padonia Park Child Centers, PADONIA Summer Camps, and Special Events & Catering. They are also celebrating their 60^th anniversary this season!

Located on 30 beautiful acres, PADONIA offers six pools, tennis courts, sporting fields, paddle boats on the lake and more! There are plenty of food and beverage options at The Grille, Castaway Café, Windy Valley Farms and the Cabana Bar. With a full calendar of live music and events, PADONIA is the summer destination in the region!

Padonia Park Child Centers, a “Best Of” award winner, cares for children ages 6 months – 5 years of age year round. They also offer Before & After care for Mays Chapel and Pinewood Elementary Schools.

PADONIA Summer Camps features three great camp options: Traditional, Adventure and the all new iCamp. A fun filled summer for your child awaits!

As one of the top 20 caterers in Baltimore by the BBJ, choose PADONIA for your next event! With several indoor & outdoor venues, they specialize in company picnics, meetings, galas, weddings, Bar & Bat Mitzvahs and more.

Learn More About PADONIA

Currently celebrating its 85th year in business, Point Breeze Credit Union is one of Maryland’s largest credit unions, with over 59,000 members and approximate assets of $800 million. A full-service financial institution that is member-owned and not-for-profit, Point Breeze offers easy, reliable banking through offices in Hunt Valley, Rosedale, Bel Air, Westminster, and Owings Mills, as well as more than 5,600 Shared Branch locations and 30,000 surcharge-free ATMs nationwide.

Point Breeze recently opened the redesigned lobby at its Hunt Valley office, which has been undergoing extensive renovations over the past several months. The remodeled lobby represents the first phase of an extensive renovation and expansion project which will double the size of Point Breeze’s Hunt Valley facility, adding a new two-story, 20,000-square-foot addition to the existing 20,000-square-foot building in order to better meet the needs of its members and accommodate the credit union’s rapid membership growth.

Point Breeze Credit Union received the Hunt Valley Business Forum’s 2019 “Business of the Year Award.” The award was presented to Point Breeze for its work in supporting the vitality of the Hunt Valley business community and furthering the mission of the Hunt Valley Business Forum to connect, educate, and advocate for its members on important matters affecting area businesses.

Learn More About Point Breeze Credit Union

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Learn More About MacKenzie Commercial

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