NORWICH, CONN. — CorePlus Credit Union has named a new official to its Board of Directors, the institution’s governing body. Kenneth P. Levy of Mystic was appointed as a Director to fill the unexpired term of former Director Selma Ward.
Ken has been a director of procurement and contracts for over 35 years, working for multinational firms headquartered in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Virginia, and Europe. He has experience in the biopharma, insurance, logistics, defense contracting, and high-tech manufacturing areas. Since retiring from Genzyme Corporation, a Sanofi Company, Ken has been active with various multiple myeloma research and support organizations.
He has a BS in Physics from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and is a Lifetime Certified Purchasing Manager (C.P.M.). Ken is on the board of Waterford Country School and serves as their treasurer and the chairman of their finance committee. He is also president of the board of his condominium association. He had previously served as president of the Connecticut chapter of the Institute for Supply Management and as chairman of its Northeast Supply Management Group.
Ken and his wife, Joanne, have been active volunteers in the Mystic community, including 25 years with the Mystic Outdoor Arts Festival. Ken has also served on CorePlus Credit Union’s Supervisory Committee since 2016.
CorePlus is proud to have a devoted group of volunteer members serving on its Board. They meet on a regular basis and are committed to ensuring that CorePlus provides valuable products and services to the membership. As a not-for-profit cooperative financial institution, CorePlus Credit Union annually elects officials who volunteer their time and talent to serve the credit union on behalf of its membership. Board and Supervisory Committee members are nominated from the membership at large and voted on by the members at the Annual Meeting.
About CorePlus Credit Union
CorePlus Credit Union is a federally chartered, member owned, not for profit cooperative. We are a not for profit, not for charity, but for service credit union founded in 1936. With a strong emphasis on community development and member well-being, CorePlus Credit Union is dedicated to creating financial wellness for all.
NORWICH, Conn. — Four interns successfully completed the CorePlus Credit Union Summer Internship Program on Friday, August 9th. The CPCU Summer Internship Program provides participants with valuable real world work experience in a financial institution. This year, CorePlus hosted Shelbie Desir and Iris Tang from Norwich Free Academy and Mercy Reynoso Germosen and Claudy Baron from New London High School.
Beginning on June 28th, CorePlus summer interns completed daily duties ranging from teller transactions to assisting in various consumer lending departments. They continuously developed skills including but not limited to customer service, cash handling, personal finance, sales, time management, organization, conflict resolution, basic lending, accounting, and quality control.
CorePlus has hosted students from two of the area’s largest high schools for 18 years. The program began in 2006 when the Director of Diversity at NFA and the CorePlus president at the time had a casual conversation about the lack of diversity in Norwich area financial institutions. They decided on the spot that an internship program could be the way to change that.
Since then, over 90 high school students have successfully completed the program. Four current CorePlus employees, including its CFO and one Branch Officer, are graduates of the internship program.
CorePlus staff strive to mimic their traditional new hire process as closely as possible for the program. Students are selected for the internship based upon their interview skills, complete a new hire orientation, and are reviewed using an abbreviated version of our performance appraisal. The interns are placed in branches and departments based on their interviews and areas of interest, and supervisors are encouraged to give them the same duties given to regular employees.
Mercy Reynoso Germosen stated, “My summer internship at CorePlus Credit Union was a great experience full of laughter, knowledge, and a welcoming environment from the very beginning — during our training with Kristen — to the end at the Groton branch with Briana, Brenda, and Melissa. As a recent high school graduate, I would recommend going for this internship — especially if you’re going into the finance field; if given the chance to, I would definitely do this internship again.”
Claudy Baron expressed a similar sentiment, stating, “I’m truly grateful that I was able to have the opportunity to participate in this program. This internship has refined several of my skills, and I feel it has made me better prepared for my future. I was able to work on my customer service and communication skills, my knowledge on finance has been broadened, and I had a great experience with my team, the members, and even the work I did.”
All CorePlus Summer Internship applicants must be at least 16 years old, have strong customer service skills, possess the ability to work with various technical platforms, and work well on teams and independently. Successful participants may be eligible for full or part-time employment with CorePlus following completion of the program.
About CorePlus Credit Union
CorePlus Credit Union is a federally chartered, member owned, not for profit cooperative. We are a not for profit, not for charity, but for service credit union founded in 1936. With a strong emphasis on community development and member well-being, CorePlus Credit Union is dedicated to creating financial wellness for all.
NORWICH, CT — CorePlus Credit Union has started collecting backpacks and school supplies at its branch locations, with the goal of providing as many children as possible with the materials they need to thrive in the new school year.
CorePlus is again partnering with UCFS Healthcare on this effort. Supplies will be collected throughout the summer and distributed from 1-3 p.m. on August 7th at UCFS’s Edward & Mary Lord Family Health Center, located at 47 Town Street in Norwich.
In addition to public donations, CorePlus employees have given generously to this effort in previous years. This year, CorePlus and its employees plan to match the first 50 donations of new backpacks, ensuring that at least 100 children will receive assistance.
“A solid education starts with giving children the tools they need to be successful,” said Raymond Currier, President and CEO of CorePlus Credit Union. “Last year, through our partnership with UCFS, CorePlus employees and members provided 114 backpacks and supplies that were distributed to children in our community. The need is great and we’re hoping to help even more families this year. Please join us in this effort by dropping off a backpack and supplies at any of our branch locations.”
Drop boxes for donations, creatively decorated by CorePlus employees, will be set up at each CorePlus branch location starting on June 24th. Collection boxes will also be set up at UCFS
locations.
The backpack drive is seeking the following items:
- New backpacks
- Writing and drawing materials, including pens, pencils, highlighters, markers, crayons, colored pencils, large pink erasers, and eraser caps
- Art supplies including loose leaf paper, glue sticks, liquid glue, blunt tip scissors, pencils, sharpeners, and rulers
- Organizational materials including three-ring binders, pencil boxes, zippered pouches, and two-pocket folders
- Spiral and composition notebooks
In addition to these in-kind donations, CorePlus will accept monetary donations toward the bulk purchase of backpacks and school supplies. Checks should be made payable to CorePlus Credit Union, with the note ATTN: Brittany Uphold or Eric Blackburn, and accompanied by a letter designating the amount and purpose of the funds. Monetary donations can be dropped off at any CorePlus branch location or mailed to CorePlus’s main office at 202 Salem Turnpike, Norwich, CT, 06360.
Children who have adequate school supplies are not only better prepared to participate in school activities and assignments, but also more confident in their own abilities and interested in learning. Unfortunately, for thousands of families in Connecticut struggling to afford basic needs, it can be difficult or impossible to purchase these school supplies. This annual drive helps families meet this need while also easing the burden on teachers, who often report that they spend their own funds on supplies for their students.
Donations will be accepted through August 5th. In the interim between this cutoff date and the giveaway, CorePlus employees work to fill the backpacks with supplies and to create separate ones for older and younger students.
The distribution of backpacks and supplies on August 7th takes place during Community Health Center Week and is held in conjunction with family-friendly events at the Edward & Mary Lord Family Health Center. In addition to the backpack giveaway, CorePlus will also have an ice cream freezer on the premises to provide visitors with a sweet treat.
Additional partners at the event will provide information, giveaways, activities, and other useful information. These include UCFS Healthcare and the Uncas Health District.
About CorePlus Credit Union
CorePlus Credit Union is a federally chartered, member owned, not for profit cooperative. We are a not for profit, not for charity, but for service credit union founded in 1936. With a strong emphasis on community development and member well-being, CorePlus Credit Union is dedicated to creating financial wellness for all. For more information, visit coreplus.org.
NORWICH, CT — CorePlus Credit Union has installed two electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at its East Lyme branch, providing a convenient and environmentally friendly service to all visitors.
The Level 2 charging stations, each capable of serving one battery electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle, will be open to the public and free to all CorePlus Credit Union members.
“We are the first financial institution in Southeastern Connecticut to install EV charging stations,” said Ray Currier, President and CEO of CorePlus Credit Union. “These stations represent CorePlus Credit Union’s commitment to lowering the carbon footprint and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Connecticut. CorePlus is looking into the possibility of installing EV charging stations at additional locations as well.”
Connecticut has experienced strong growth in EV ownership in recent years, according to data from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP). There were 44,313 electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles registered in the state at the end of 2023, compared to just 4,878 at the end of 2016.
Connecticut has more than 360 public EV charging stations. DEEP has been encouraging the installation of EV charging stations at homes, workplaces, and transportation hubs to help grow Connecticut’s charging infrastructure.
About CorePlus Credit Union
CorePlus Credit Union is a federally chartered, member owned, not for profit cooperative. We are a not for profit, not for charity, but for service credit union founded in 1936. With a strong emphasis on community development and member well-being, CorePlus Credit Union is dedicated to creating financial wellness for all. For more information, visit coreplus.org.
CorePlus Credit Union (CPCU) is proud to announce the launch of a newly designed, modern, and responsive website focusing on an enhanced user experience. This exciting evolution reflects CPCU’s commitment to providing our members with the most user-friendly and convenient online banking experience possible while advancing our mutual goal to become the premier digital credit union in eastern Connecticut.
“At CorePlus, we are constantly striving to improve how we serve our members. This new website represents a significant step forward in fulfilling that commitment. We listened to our members’ needs and built a website that is intuitive, responsive, and tailored to create a superior digital banking experience.”
– CPCU President and CEO, Ray Currier.
The new CPCU website features a clean and modern design, making it easy for members to navigate and find the information they need quickly and easily. The website has been optimized for all devices, ensuring a seamless experience — from desktop computers and tablets to smartphones.
The design of the new website recognizes the growing trend of mobile banking and the understanding that more and more of our members are accessing their finances on their tablets and smartphones. That’s why CPCU made sure this new website is perfectly responsive and easy to use on any mobile device.
Beyond an enhanced mobile experience, the new website better tells the CPCU story — detailing who we are, where we came from, what we stand for, and how CPCU strives to make a difference in the lives of our members and the communities we serve.
Experience the future of digital banking with CorePlus Credit Union. Visit www.coreplus.org and discover a banking experience that is truly seamless, convenient, and member-focused.
NORWICH, CT — The employees and members of CorePlus Credit Union have brightened the holidays of more than 70 children in eastern Connecticut by participants purchasing new toys and clothing through The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Tag program.
This is the third consecutive year that CorePlus has participated in the program. The credit union set a goal of fulfilling the requested donations on 75 tags, an increase from the 55 children supported in 2022.
“We’ve been overjoyed to see the community’s response every time we put up our Angel Tree, and this has been our best year yet,” said Meg Martellotta, Vice President of Operations at CorePlus Credit Union. “We are extremely grateful for the outpouring of support from CorePlus Credit Union’s members and employees, who have contributed in creating an enjoyable Christmas morning for our Norwich neighbors.”
Businesses, schools, and other organizations participate in the Angel Tree Tag program by setting up a tree and requesting as many tags as they think they can support. The tags — featuring the first name, age, and gender of a child, as well as requested gifts — are used to decorate the tree.
Participants remove a tag to purchase the requested gifts, which are returned to the participating organization with the tag attached. The Salvation Army then picks up all donations to distribute to families in the community.
In addition to helping individuals in need have a more enjoyable holiday, the Angel Tree Tag program helps defray the cost of purchasing Christmas gifts that would normally be part of The Salvation Army’s holiday expenses. This frees up more funding for The Salvation Army to support other emergency needs such as providing food, clothing, shelter, and assistance with rent or fuel.
CorePlus received 50 tags on November 15th, and another 25 on November 21st. The credit union has been encouraging its members to participate in the program through radio, social media, and newsletter messaging.
Debbie White, Social Ministries Director at The Salvation Army Southern New England Division stated, “The Salvation Army Norwich Service Center thanks community partners such as CorePlus Credit Union for their active role in volunteering at the Red Kettle this holiday season and for adopting 75 children for Angel Tree. Thank you, CorePlus Credit Union, for making this holiday season a little brighter for our families in the Norwich community.”
About CorePlus Credit Union
CorePlus Credit Union is a federally chartered, member owned, not for profit cooperative. We are a not for profit, not for charity, but for service credit union founded in 1936. With a strong emphasis on community development and member well-being, CorePlus Credit Union is dedicated to creating financial wellness for all. For more information, visit coreplus.org.
Award presented at the APEX 2023 conference at Mohegan Sun
NORWICH, CT — CorePlus Credit Union is proud to announce its recognition as the second-place recipient of the Credit Union League of Connecticut’s (CULCT) Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Community Service Award at the APEX 2023 conference, hosted recently at Mohegan Sun. This award acknowledges credit unions for their exceptional commitment to social responsibility and community service.
CorePlus Credit Union was honored for its participation in The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Tag Program during the 2022 holiday season. This remarkable initiative brought joy and hope to 55 children in Norwich, Connecticut, by providing them with new toys and clothing.
The Angel Tree Tag Program is a heartwarming endeavor that aligns perfectly with CorePlus Credit Union’s deep-rooted commitment to giving back to the community. By participating in this program, CorePlus displayed its dedication to making a meaningful impact on the lives of those in need, embodying the core principles of the credit union movement.
CorePlus Credit Union is profoundly honored to be recognized for its efforts. The Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Community Service Award serves as a testament to the credit union’s unwavering dedication to community service and social responsibility. The award reinforces the credit union’s commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of its members and the broader community.
“We are thrilled to receive this esteemed recognition,” said Meg Martellotta, Vice President of Operations at CorePlus Credit Union. “This award highlights our mission to promote social responsibility and community involvement. We are committed to continuing our support for initiatives that enrich the lives of the communities we serve.”
CorePlus Credit Union expresses its deepest gratitude to The Salvation Army for providing such a meaningful program, and to CULCT for acknowledging their contributions. The credit union is looking forward to partnering again with the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Tag Program again this year to make the holidays a little brighter for our community.
For more information about CorePlus Credit Union and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit CorePlus.org.
About CorePlus Credit Union
CorePlus Credit Union is a federally chartered, member owned, not for profit cooperative. We are a not for profit, not for charity, but for service credit union founded in 1936. With a strong emphasis on community development and member well-being, CorePlus Credit Union is dedicated to creating financial wellness for all. For more information, visit coreplus.org.
About the Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Community Service Award
The Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Community Service Award is a prestigious recognition presented by credit union organizations to honor credit unions’ exceptional commitment to social responsibility and community service. It is named after Dora Maxwell, a pioneer in the credit union movement who believed in the power of community service and outreach.
We are pleased to announce that for the third straight year, CorePlus Credit Union (CPCU) has been named one of Connecticut’s best places to work by the Hartford Courant in its annual Top Workplaces awards. CPCU was one of only 32 businesses statewide — and the only financial institution — recognized in the Courant’s category for businesses with fewer than 150 employees.
“It is a great honor to once again be recognized as one of the top places to work in Connecticut, said EVP / Chief Operating Officer Raymond J. Currier. “Our employees are the heart and soul of this credit union, so knowing they hold such high regard for their workplace is truly a testament to our commitment to cultivating a positive and supportive work environment where every one of our employees feels valued and appreciated.”
The Hartford Courant’s Top Workplaces program is based on an employee survey. The 24-question survey collects feedback from employees in businesses of all sizes and in a number of industries. The results of these surveys are the basis for determining which employers make the list.
“I am proud to work for one of the top workplaces in Connecticut,” said CPCU Call Center Manager Ashley Main. “CorePlus has a very engaging atmosphere that makes everyone feel like part of the family. There is such pride that we all take in assisting our members and leading our team to success. I am excited for CorePlus’s future!”
Currier, CPCU’s current EVP / Chief Operating Officer, will work closely with retiring President / CEO Nicholas Fortson through the end of the year to ensure a smooth transition.
NORWICH, Conn. — The Board of Directors of CorePlus Credit Union (CPCU) is announcing the appointment of Raymond J. Currier as its new President and Chief Executive Officer. Currier replaces retiring CEO Nicholas K. Fortson, who will be retiring after nine years as President and CEO. Currier will assume the role of CEO on January 1, 2024.
Upon the announcement that Fortson planned to retire at year end, the CPCU Board of Directors conducted a CEO search with assistance from The Credit Union League of Connecticut to identify a qualified candidate to lead the nearly ninety-year-old federally chartered, member-owned, not-for-profit cooperative. After considering several worthy candidates, the board determined Currier’s dedication, exceptional leadership, and significant contributions as Chief Operating Officer and overwhelmingly approved Ray’s promotion to the role of CEO. Currier has been with the credit union since 2005 and has close to 30 years of experience in the credit union industry.
“We are extremely pleased that after performing our due diligence to find the most suitable leader, our own Ray Currier emerged as the best candidate to take the reins and carry on Nicholas Fortson’s legacy,” said CPCU Board of Directors Chair Jean Swift. “We believe Ray possesses the strategic vision, business acumen, and commitment to lead CorePlus Credit Union into a prosperous future. His demonstrated ability to drive innovation, foster collaboration, and deliver exceptional results made him the ideal candidate for this important position.”
Currier said he is excited by the challenge of his new role and looks forward to a continuation of the success he and Fortson shared with the growth, expansion of service offerings and financial achievements the credit union has experienced over the last decade. “I am incredibly honored to have been appointed President / CEO, and I am excited to lead our talented team in continuing to bring exceptional service and innovation to our membership. CorePlus is well positioned for continued growth and success in the coming years,” said Currier. “I am also very fortunate to have the support and guidance from such an incredible leader as Nicholas Fortson to assist in the transition.”
Fortson, who has been CEO of CPCU since 2014, announced his retirement effective December 31, 2023 — in January 2023. As part of the transition, he is committed to working closely with Currier throughout the rest of the year to ensure that the transfer of leadership is seamless and that the new CEO is in the best possible position to guide CPCU into the future.
“Nicholas Fortson has been and continues to be an amazing leader and mentor,” Swift said. “The board wishes to recognize Nick for his remarkable leadership, particularly throughout the pandemic, as well as his ability to select and develop a stellar management team. He will be greatly missed, but we know he leaves us in Ray’s very capable hands.” In honor of his tremendous leadership and commitment to his community, the board has approved a gift of $10,000 to support two non-profits. A gift of $5,000 will be made in Fortson’s honor to the Otis Library to fund a multi-lingual financial literacy program. Fortson is the former board president of Otis Library, and he and his late wife, Peggy, have been avid supporters of the library. A second gift of $5,000 will be made to the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut, where Fortson is also a board member.
You may have heard that IRAs and employer-sponsored plans [e.g., 401(k)s] are the best ways to invest for retirement. That’s true for many people, but what if you’ve maxed out your contributions to those accounts and want to save more? An annuity may be an appropriate investment to look into.
It pays to shop around for the right annuity. In fact, doing a little homework could save you hundreds of dollars a year or more.
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Holland Rajaniemi , CorePlus Wealth Management Advisor, may be reached at 860-885-3680 or holland.r@lpl.com