We Are PEFCU

In celebration of Women’s History Month, we want to bring to light one of the women behind the credit union movement. Louise McCarren Herring played a huge role in founding credit unions and organizations that supported credit unions. Early pioneers of the movement included people of all backgrounds and ages, and Herring was one of the youngest to get involved.  Louise McCarren Herring, now referred to as the “Mother of Credit Unions,” was just 23 years old when she started her activist work for the not-for-profit cooperative movement. Seeing how debt affected people’s lives, she worked tirelessly to set up…

In celebration of Black History Month, we decided to highlight one of PEFCU’s inspiring African American leaders to share their perspective on what working for a diverse and inclusive credit union really means to them. This year, we’re featuring Jheniffer Alphonse, Assistant Branch Manager in Pembroke Pines! Jheniffer has been working with PEFCU members for over 15 years. She began her career as a Teller, and has been promoted to numerous positions within the branch. She is now the Assistant Branch Manager at one of our largest branches.  She is also a single mother of four with “kids” ranging from…

9 Ways to Celebrate Random Acts of Kindness Day  American author and cartoonist, Scott Adams, says, “Remember, there is no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end.”  February 17 is National Random Acts of Kindness Day and we put together a list of 9 ways you can celebrate and spread kindness.  Leave quarters at the laundromat  Pay for the person behind you in the drive-through  Do a sibling’s chore without them asking  Leave a generous tip at a restaurant  Hold the door for someone  Donate to charity  Give someone a…

February is Black History Month, and it’s a time that we can celebrate how Black American contributions are woven into the fabric of everyday American life. In particular, as a Publix associate, you may encounter some of these innovations in ways you may not realize as you go about your daily routine. Let’s start with when your alarm goes off. It’s a beautiful day to bleed green! Time to iron that uniform to a crisp. By the way, did you know nineteenth-century dressmaker Sarah Boone helped with the evolution of the modern ironing board? In 1892, Boone would become one of the…

In 2021 we discussed the rich history of the Black community’s relationship with banking. You can read that blog here: A Celebration of Black History. This year, we’re highlighting some of the major players in the history of the cooperative banking movement.   First, let’s talk about Thomas Patterson, the founder of Piedmont Credit Union. Piedmont CU was one of the first (if not THE first) African American Credit Unions in the United States. Thomas Patterson was a farmer in North Carolina. He wrote about the struggles of being a farmer, while Jim Crow laws were prevalent, in an article published…

October 4th marks the first day of Teller Appreciation Week, and in celebration, we wanted to thank all our tellers for the hard work they do each day for our members. We could not do what we do without our front-line team.   Because PEFCU’s Champions are exemplary employees and serve our members well, we try to pay them back as much as possible. We strive to provide a work environment that is inclusive, respectful, and equitable, where individual differences, backgrounds, and experiences are valued and appreciated. One of the many ways PEFCU strives to be an employer of choice is by offering competitive benefits and compensation package.  We pay 100% of employees’ medical, dental,…

From September 15 to October 15, we’re celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month. Hispanic Americans, who come from a large variety of cultures and nations, number nearly 60 million people, representing over 18% of the U.S. population. We are proud to honor the incredible heritage of the second largest ethnic group in the country and acknowledge their contributions to daily American life, in ways seen and unseen. Here are some interesting facts that may surprise you: Spanish the second most common language in the United States. With 43,200,000 native speakers in the U.S., Spanish is one of its fastest-growing languages! In fact,…

In celebration of Black History Month, PEFCU would like to explore the rich history of the Black community’s relationship to banking and the cooperative spirit that many credit union members share. Mutual Aid Societies & Cooperatives Before modern credit unions began, community-oriented institutions were set up to serve freedmen in the North. Like credit unions, they were co-owned by all their members, provided the community with affordable alternatives for financial services, and fostered self-sufficiency. By the late 18th century, northern Black populations had established mutual aid societies and cooperatives, creating networks that helped advance the community by supplying clothes, healthcare,…

At PEFCU, we are proud of what each of our employees brings to our Credit Union. We are especially proud to showcase the employees who have contributed to our organization for many years. When our employees love PEFCU enough to stay with us, it shows that we have a lot to offer.  One of those employees is Tina Green, Lakeland Head Teller, who has been with PEFCU for 25 years. We interviewed Tina to find out why PEFCU won her heart. Check out the interview below:    Q: Why did you choose to join the PEFCU team?  A: I chose PEFCU because I heard it was a wonderful place to work. The Credit…