News Release - April 22, 2008

For more information or media interviews, please contact
Mr. Herbert Singleton, President/CEO
(260) 456-1802

FORT WAYNE -- Indiana’s newest credit union celebrated its first full year in business on April 12. Union Baptist Church Federal Credit Union (UBC FCU) hosted an event at the church, with several special guests in attendance.

UBC FCU President/CEO Herb Singleton opened the meeting with remarks reflecting on the credit union’s first year and expressing how gratifying it has been to see the credit union embraced so well by UBC membership. “To have completed our first year in business is a milestone we are thrilled to be celebrating,” he said. He introduced the other speakers.

Congressman Mark Souder (R-3), whose district includes Fort Wayne, congratulated everyone gathered at the event, commending UBC’s leadership on forming a credit union and its positive influence in the community. He talked about the importance of community-based groups where people come together to assist each other. He offered his perspectives on economic development challenges, opportunities, and approaches that can help accomplish important objectives for Fort Wayne and surrounding communities.

In his congratulatory remarks, National Credit Union Administration Region III Director Alonzo Swann referred to the credit union leaders being at the beginning of a journey. Right now they are crawling and soon will be taking their first steps. He looks forward to the day “when they are sprinting down the credit union road.” Swann also talked about the NCUA’s Small Credit Union Program which provides support, and he encouraged UBC FCU leadership to continue to take advantage of this program as well as support available from the Indiana Credit Union League and other credit unions. The National Credit Union Administration is the federal agency that regulates credit unions.

In his remarks League President John McKenzie congratulated everyone involved with making the formation of this credit union possible, from UBC Senior Pastor Rev. Dr. Sylvester Hunter—who is a credit union director—and his vision for it, to Herb Singleton and his efforts, to the members in the audience who have embraced it, to other Fort Wayne-area credit unions that have been so supportive. He thanked Congressman Souder for his support of credit unions and recognition of how they help people and communities. McKenzie talked about how inspiring it has been to work with the wonderful group of people at UBC FCU, and how much the League looks forward to continuing to provide support. He stated that as a new credit union, UBC FCU is part of a member-owned not-for-profit system of financial cooperatives that is guided by mottos such as “people helping people” and “where people are worth more than money.” He continued that UBC FCU is one of more than 200 credit unions statewide serving 2.2 million Hoosiers, which save their members $150 million in aggregate each year compared to if the only option for those members was going to for-profit banks for those services. McKenzie then presented certificates and plaques to a number of attendees.

The 21 charter members who initially formed UBC FCU each received framed certificates and a group plaque. Credit union colleagues who were instrumental in the credit union’s successful start were recognized at the event. Fort Wayne-area neighbors Fire Police City County FCU, Partners 1st FCU, Pinnacle CU, PROFED CU and Three Rivers FCU have played key roles in helping establish UBC FCU. Nancy Kline, President of Fire Police City County FCU; Dave Fleming, President & CEO of Partners 1st FCU; and Lisa Williams, President of Pinnacle CU attended the event. Members United Corporate FCU sponsored the luncheon at the event.

The meeting ended with inspiring remarks from Rev. Al Cotton, the UBC FCU Board Chairman, and Rev. Sylvester Hunter. Rev. Hunter talked about his vision for the credit union being formed to help the membership of UBC being influenced by a trip to a Georgia church that has its own credit union. Rev. Hunter became familiar with credit unions as a 20+-year member of Partners 1st Federal Credit Union.

From left: UBC FCU President/CEO Herb Singleton; Rev. Al Cotton, NCUA Region III Director Alonzo Swann; Dave Fleming of Partners 1st FCU; Congressman Mark Souder (R-3); Rev. Dr. Sylvester Hunter; Nancy Kline of Fire Police City County FCU; Lisa Williams of Pinnacle FCU; Indiana Credit Union League President John McKenzie. The establishment of the credit union was possible with support from many organizations, including five Fort Wayne-area credit unions that were recognized with plaques at the event. In addition to the three credit unions represented here, PROFED CU and Three Rivers FCU played a part in the start up of UBC FCU. Click here to download a publication quality photo.

These charter members of UBC FCU received commemorative certificates during the anniversary celebration, and a special plaque containing their names will hang in the church. From right to left: Rev, Dr. Sylvester Hunter; Janice Hunter represented by daughter Chloe'; William Atkins; Brenda A. Singleton; Thelma Gunn; Patricia Day; Charlie Jackson; Clarice Jackson; Thoma Davis; Linda Martin; Sheila Smith; Michael Smith; Synovia Brown; Waymon Brown; Herb Singleton; and Indiana Credit Union League President John McKenzie.
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Indiana Credit Union League President John McKenzie and UBC FCU President/CEO Herb Singleton are shown at the credit union’s office, which is located in the church’s business office.
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Congressman Mark Souder (R-3) addressed the group, and offered his congratulations.
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