The RTN GoodWorks Foundation, a nonprofit, public charitable foundation affiliated with Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU), has made donations totaling $3,000 to five local non-profit organizations in celebration of Giving Tuesday.
Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) has donated $30,000 to Emmaus, Inc. in Haverhill, Mass. The credit union is proud to be the nonprofit’s longest running and largest partner, having donated more than half a million dollars through 30 years of support for Emmaus, Inc.
The members of Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) and Cabot Boston Credit Union (CBCU) voted in favor of merging the two financial organizations last month, following separate member votes at each organization’s corporate headquarters. MVCU will be the continuing credit union. Founded in 1955, MVCU is a state-chartered, not-for-profit, member-owned financial cooperative with more than $2.3 billion in assets and 19 retail branches that serve more than 115,000 members in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island. The merger will combine the resources, expertise and values of two longstanding credit unions.
Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) is proud to announce its sponsorship of 100 wreaths through Wreaths Across America in partnership with the North Andover Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 2104. The wreaths will be placed on veterans' graves at Ridgewood Cemetery (177 Salem Street, North Andover) on Saturday, Dec. 14, to honor those who have served and sacrificed for our nation. Wreaths Across America is a national initiative dedicated to remembering fallen veterans, honoring those who serve and educating future generations about the value of freedom. MVCU's sponsorship ensures that the graves of 100 veterans at Ridgewood Cemetery will be adorned with fresh wreaths, a gesture of respect and gratitude during the holiday season.
During October and November, Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) held its annual food drive in each of its 19 retail branch locations. The drive supported organizations in locations ranging from southern New Hampshire to the south coast of Massachusetts. MVCU branches collected nonperishable food items from team members and members in celebration of the season of giving. Branch managers and their teams were encouraged to choose organizations that operate in their respective areas to have a direct impact on the communities they serve. Pantries that received donations included:
Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) is proud to announce the donation of one of its company vehicles to Vehicles for Veterans, a nonprofit car donation foundation that supports U.S. veterans and their families. Vehicles for Veterans turns donated vehicles into funding for veteran programs across the country that support housing, healthcare and employment assistance. Through this donation, MVCU is helping to further the organization’s mission to support veterans who have served and sacrificed for our country.
On Saturday, Nov. 2, Bridgewater Credit Union, a division of Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU), hosted a community Shred Day at its Fairhaven branch. Members of the credit union and community at large brought sensitive, outdated documents to be shredded. Proper disposal of documents, such as shredding, is imperative to protecting private personal information from identity thieves. Shredding is the safest way to dispose of documents containing a signature, account number, social security number or medical or legal information that is no longer necessary to retain.
Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) was recently named “Best Credit Union” for the second year in a row in the Eagle-Tribune’s annual contest in which the newspaper’s audience votes online for their favorite local businesses. The Eagle-Tribune covers the Merrimack Valley region of Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire including the towns of Andover, North Andover, Methuen, Lawrence and Haverhill in Massachusetts and Salem, Atkinson, Plaistow, Pelham, Windham, Derry and Londonderry in New Hampshire. MVCU serves members in these communities.
What an exciting time for our credit union! Over the past few weeks, MVCU has announced some changes to our organization: our proposed merger with Cabot Boston Credit Union (CBCU) and our rebrand to BrightBridge Credit Union in 2025. While these planned changes are exciting, I understand that change can be daunting, especially for members who have banked with our credit union for decades under the MVCU, RTN or Bridgewater Credit Union names—or any of the other 24 credit union names that make up our family tree!
Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) is excited to announce that Brian Harrington has joined the organization as vice president of finance and treasury. Harrington brings extensive experience in financial management and strategic planning, making him an exceptional addition to MVCU’s senior leadership team. Harrington earned both his undergraduate and graduate degrees in Finance at Suffolk University in Boston, Mass. He began his career in banking at State Street and subsequently held roles at other large financial institutions including Liberty Mutual, Citizens Bank and Amundi US (formerly Pioneer Investments), where he developed valuable skills in financial planning and analysis, budgeting and strategic planning.
On Thursday, Oct. 3, Bridgewater Credit Union, a division of Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU), celebrated the grand opening of its new Plymouth branch located at 73 Long Pond Road. The celebration featured a speech from MVCU President & CEO John J. Howard followed by a ribbon cutting ceremony, tours of the new branch and light refreshments. MVCU executives had the opportunity to meet with the teams from Solidus and AccuBranch that created the state-of-the-art building.
On Saturday, Sept. 28, Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) hosted a community Shred Day at its Lawrence, Waltham and Bridgewater locations. Members of the credit union and community at large brought old, unwanted documents to be shredded. Proper disposal of documents, such as shredding, is imperative to protecting private personal information from identity thieves. Shredding is the safest way to dispose of documents containing a signature, account number, social security number or medical or legal information that are no longer necessary to retain.
President & CEO John J. Howard has announced that Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) will officially change its name to BrightBridge Credit Union. The change will take effect in 2025, pending member and regulatory approval. Staff and members were recently informed about the name change, following a vote by the MVCU Board of Directors. “The Merrimack Valley Credit Union name, while strong, is very specific to one region, one part of our history. It does not reflect the many communities our family tree has served, and we continue to serve. As we work to remain responsive to the needs of current members and new generations of members, our new name will position us for growth and reflect our values and goals for the future,” said Howard in a recent letter to members.
Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) was recently ranked in Banker & Tradesman’s Fast Fifty of 2024. MVCU ranked 7th for Growth in Commercial Loan Volume and 13th for Growth in Commercial Loan Units. The list ranks the 50 fastest-growing loan providers in Massachusetts, including credit unions, banks mortgage and financial companies and other financial institutions. Compiled from data collected and analyzed by the Warren Group, the number and volume of loans from Jan. 1 through June 30, 2023 is compared against the number and volume of loans from the same timeframe in 2024.
Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) is pleased to announce the hiring of three new branch managers to oversee branches in Danvers, Quincy and Waltham. Denise Scurio will manage Danvers, Stephen Spagnolo will manage Quincy and Gregory Kennedy will manage Waltham.
Bridgewater Credit Union (BCU), a division of Merrimack Valley Credit Union, hosted a Family Fun Day at the credit union’s Hanover branch on Saturday, June 15. The state-of-the-art branch, located at 1095 Washington Street (RT 53), opened in September 2023. BCU’s Family Fun Day, a free event that welcomed all community members, kicked off the summer season with activities that attendees of all ages enjoyed, including the chance to touch and explore a Hanover Police Department police car and a Hanover Fire Department firetruck. Community members also met Lainey, the Hanover Police Department’s comfort dog and enjoyed an ice cream truck, face painting, lawn games and more.
In what feels like the blink of an eye, we are already halfway through 2024. My youngest grandson, Noah, is just a few months away from his first birthday and it reminds me each day of how important it is to pause and hold on to the important moments before they fly by. As you know, MVCU completed a conversion of our core systems earlier this month, finally – and successfully! – merging all members into unified platforms. This not only marked the final step in the merger between MVCU and RTN Federal Credit Union, but the end of twelve months of preparation and hard work by both MVCU and RTN’s talented team members.
On Tuesday, June 11, Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) awarded a total of $26,500 in scholarships to 18 graduating seniors from schools throughout southern New Hampshire and Massachusetts. The students were honored with a ceremony and dinner with MVCU’s senior leadership team at the credit union’s corporate office in Lawrence, Mass. Two of the scholarship awards honor members of the MVCU and former RTN Federal Credit Union community. The Lisa Lewis Goodman Community Spirit Award of $2,500 honors one student who embodies a spirit of generosity, kindness and selflessness by giving back and volunteering in the community. The award is named after MVCU’s long-time collections manager who passed away in 2021.
On Monday, June 10, Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) hosted its annual Charity Golf Classic at the Atkinson Resort & Country Club in Atkinson, N.H. The tournament, sponsored by Synergent, raised nearly $40,000 to support the credit union’s financial education programs for members and the community. MVCU’s Financial Edge, a program developed in partnership with Banzai! – a financial training organization that works with credit unions throughout the nation – funds financial education courses in schools throughout the region and offers community organizations in-person training and digital tools to enhance the knowledge and money management skills of students and adults.
Throughout the month of May, MVCU team members participated in Brigham & Women’s Hospital’s Step Up for Stepping Strong challenge. This steps challenge is a wellness initiative that raises money and awareness for trauma research and patient care at The Gillian Reny Stepping Strong Center for Trauma Innovation, which is celebrating the 10th anniversary this year and was founded by survivors of the Boston Marathon bombings.
Bridgewater Credit Union, a division of Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU), is continuing its partnership with the Plymouth Public Library Foundation (PPLF) with a $7,500 donation that will support the foundation’s public events through the end of 2024, including its golf tournament, arts & crafts festival and the annual Taste of the Town. The partnership also includes the development of a free financial literacy program that MVCU launched in conjunction with the Plymouth Public Library in 2023. The PPLF is a non-profit organization that supports the Plymouth Public Library in their effort to provide quality services and resources to their community.
Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) President & CEO John J. Howard was one of three featured panelists during the Cooperative Credit Union Association’s (CCUA) annual CU Accelerate conference in Philadelphia, PA. The conference brings together credit union professionals from New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Delaware for informative keynote presentations, lectures, panels and networking opportunities. John J. Howard was a featured panelist during the event’s Adapting for Relevance panel discussion on Friday, May 3, alongside Devon Lyon, president and CEO of Central One Federal Credit Union and Janell Upton, president and CEO of Dover Federal Credit Union.
Monday, May 6, marks the second year of observance of Moyamoya Disease Awareness Day in Massachusetts and Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) is supporting Credit Unions Kids at Heart®, a Massachusetts-based nonprofit organization, in its efforts to raise awareness throughout the Commonwealth. Research on Moyamoya, conducted at Boston Children's Hospital, is one of the fundraising initiatives of Credit Unions Kids at Heart® and MVCU is partnering with them to draw attention to this dangerous condition with handouts, in-branch displays and giveaways at each of MVCU’s 19 retail branches.
As part of National Financial Literacy Month, Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) continued its longstanding partnership with Africano Waltham by hosting a “Leaders of Tomorrow” program at the credit union’s Waltham branch on Wednesday, April 17. During the event, MVCU’s Business Development team hosted several teenaged student members of Africano Waltham for a day of financial education, networking and professional guidance. Founded in 2010, Africano Waltham is a nonprofit organization that uses a holistic approach to support and uplift African immigrant youth and their families...
Bridgewater Credit Union, A Division of Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU), is excited to announce that the construction of its new Plymouth branch has entered its final stages. On Monday, April 15, the credit union’s leadership and management team gathered at the new branch, located at 59 Long Pond Road, to celebrate this milestone and observe current progress. “We look forward to continuing our longstanding and important relationship with the Plymouth community,” says MVCU Chief Retail Officer and Chief People Officer Nicole James.
Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) has donated $10,000 to Catie’s Closet, a nonprofit organization in Dracut Mass., to support their SOS Urgent Response program. Founded in 2009, Catie’s Closet provides clothes, toiletries and other essentials to students who cannot afford them by setting up secure stores (called closets) in schools. These closets offer these items at no cost to the children, enabling them to attend class and participate in school activities with dignity and confidence. Catie’s Closet currently operates in 130 schools throughout southern New Hampshire and Massachusetts, serving more than 90,000 students daily.
Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) recently sponsored a community meal at the Haverhill Citizen Center on Welcome Street. Every Monday, the nonprofit Community Meals, Inc. serves meals prepared by a local chef that are free to the public. Local organizations and businesses sponsor these weekly meals and provide volunteers. In addition to a monetary donation and bringing desserts, MVCU’s volunteers helped prepare and serve a meatloaf dinner to dozens of Haverhill community members throughout the evening.
On April 2, MVCU’s Assistant Vice President of Operations Helen Nazar celebrated her 40th work anniversary with the credit union. Helen’s career in banking began at her hometown bank, Hyde Park Savings, where she worked first as a teller and then as a customer service representative. Five years later, Nazar joined RTN Federal Credit Union (which merged with MVCU in 2023). As the credit union grew, Nazar worked in the ATM department and became an expert in electronic payments and automated clearing house (ACH) payments including Social Security deposits. This experience would lead her to her current role as one of the leaders of MVCU’s Operations department.
On Wednesday, March 13, Credit Union Times published an exclusive profile of Merrimack Valley Credit Union’s (MVCU) Executive Vice President, Chief Retail Officer and Chief People Officer Nicole James. The Q&A-style profile detailed James’ extensive experience as a credit union leader, the important lessons she has learned throughout her career and her big picture plans for the credit union community. James, who has worked in the credit union industry for more than three decades, joined MVCU following a merger with RTN Federal Credit Union in 2023.
On Thursday, March 14, Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) celebrated Pi Day with members and the community by handing out individual Table Talk pies at its 19 retail branches and delivering pies to some of the credit union’s Select Employer Group (SEG) partners. Pi Day, first celebrated in 1988, honors the mathematical constant, Pi, whose first three numerals are 3.14. MVCU joined in on the fun by ordering more than 3,100 assorted flavors of pies and distributing them throughout the organization’s retail branches.
Merrimack Valley Credit Union’s (MVCU) Vice President of Retail Banking James C. Potter is featured in the latest episode of the Credit Union Times podcast, “The Shared Accounts with CU Times.” The episode was released on the publication’s website on Friday, Feb. 16. Credit Union Times is an independent credit union publication that offers credit union leaders “strategic and tactical information necessary to run their institutions and better serve members,” according to the company’s website. The Shared Accounts with the CU Times podcast, hosted by editor-in-chief Michael Ogden, began in January 2024 and focuses on credit union branches and strategies through conversations with experts in the field.
On Friday, Feb. 16, Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) and Methuen High School (MHS) teamed up for the fifth year to present the Credit for Life Fair to hundreds of graduating seniors. Credit for Life is a two-hour financial simulation held in Klimas Field House at MHS. Prior to the fair, students selected a profession that best fits their post-graduation plans and received an estimated salary. During the fair, students visited 15 different booths that represented financial decisions they would encounter as adults, such as attending community, state or private college; choosing between purchasing a car or a monthly public transit pass; and deciding whether to rent or own a home.
It is easy to assume that a financial executive achieves a high-level position due to their knack with numbers. Yet, the most compelling and perhaps surprising thing about senior executives of all kinds is their thirst for knowledge. A successful leader possesses a deep understanding of their business as a whole and is constantly learning and growing to best support the team members they lead. Michael Valley, Merrimack Valley Credit Union’s (MVCU) chief financial officer and chief operating officer, is no exception.
“A happy life involves much more than just satisfying yourself.” Of the many words of wisdom Nicole James—Merrimack Valley Credit Union’s (MVCU) new executive vice president, chief people officer and chief retail officer—offers, this quote most embodies the credit union philosophy of people helping people and her own passion for serving others. Her professional journey is driven by a desire to help others live their best lives and with an exciting new role at a growing credit union, she is looking forward to continuing to elevate the people around her.
When James C. Potter enrolled in classes at Northeastern University in 1983, he thought he would major in computer science. Like many irresolute college students, Potter was unsure of what his true career calling was and learned quickly that computer science might not be it. This “it” was not far away, though. While spending time at home during winter break, Potter and his family watched the holiday classic It’s a Wonderful Life. No, Potter was not inspired by the heartwarming journey of James Stewart’s George Bailey. Rather, it was the film’s antagonist who bore the same surname, evil banker Mr. Potter, that inspired Potter into his extensive career in the financial world.
Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) has announced that its annual scholarship program is open for high school seniors graduating in 2024. The credit union is accepting applications from now through Thursday, Feb. 29. The third annual Lisa Lewis Goodman Community Spirit Award of $2,500 will be presented to one student who embodies the credit union's philosophy of people helping people and demonstrates a dedication to their community through volunteer efforts both in and outside of school. The credit union will also award fourteen $1,000 scholarships to students based on their high school academic success.
From Monday, Nov. 27 through Saturday, Dec. 16, Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU), held its annual toy drive to support children and families in need throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. All 17 of MVCU’s Bay State retail branches participated in the event, collecting new, unwrapped toys from credit union and community members. MVCU’s Massachusetts locations donated to local chapters of the Boys & Girls Club ranging from the Merrimack Valley to the south shore.
As I take in the joy of the holiday season and the excitement of the new year, I have been considering how important it is to set goals that keep us motivated. This fall, I took an incredible solo trip to Alaska where I fed my passion for travel by exploring new terrain, admiring wildlife and experiencing unique cultures and cuisines. Personal finances are one of the most important things to consider when planning a trip like that and I would like to share some simple savings tactics that helped me fund my passion and can help you too!
Bridgewater Credit Union (BCU), a division of Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU), is pleased to announce that Erik Lipus has joined the credit union as branch manager of the Bridgewater, Mass., branch. Prior to joining MVCU in late October 2023, Lipus spent nearly 17 years at Citizens Bank where he began working as a teller in 2007. He worked his way up through various leadership positions including banker, senior banker, assistant manager, branch manager and business relationship manager.
Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) welcomed credit union and community members with a weekend full of holiday celebrations in early December. The credit union’s Lawrence corporate office hosted its annual holiday celebration on Saturday, Dec. 2 and the Bridgewater office held its celebration on Sunday, Dec. 3. The theme for both parties was The Polar Express. The corporate offices were decked out in holiday decorations, complete with trains, cardboard cutouts of the beloved characters and volunteer staff members in holiday-themed pajamas.
This November, Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) held its annual food drive in several of its branch locations. The drive supported organizations in locations ranging from southern New Hampshire to the south coast of Massachusetts. Participating MVCU branches collected nonperishable food items from team members and members in celebration of the season of giving. This year, participating MVCU branch locations choose organizations that operate in their respective communities.
On Thursday, Nov. 16, several Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) team members partnered with Neighbors in Need to help distribute food to more than 240 community members at the Lawrence Boys & Girls Club. Neighbors In Need is a Lawrence-based organization that operates six food pantries in Lawrence, Methuen and Andover. The organization’s Holiday Meal Program provides Thanksgiving and holiday meals to local food pantry families and other families referred to Neighbors in Need by area social workers and partner organizations.
While the months of November and December can be hectic, the holidays are the very time of the year when we should pause for reflection and gratitude. I have been reflecting and feel very grateful for many things in my life. First, I am so thankful for my family, which grew a little bit bigger last month with the addition of my third grandson, Noah! I am also so grateful to be part of our OneTeam at Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) and for the many ways that we support our communities.
Bridgewater Credit Union (BCU), a division of Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU), was honored with an Economic Impact Award from the Metro South Chamber of Commerce during the Chamber’s 110th Annual Meeting Expo on Wednesday, Nov. 15. According to the Metro South Chamber, the award honors “significant investment and contribution to the economic development of the region.” BCU received the award in recognition of the credit union’s investment in the new branch that opened on Washington Street in Hanover this summer.
Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) President & CEO John J. Howard received the U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Johanny Rosario Pichardo Memorial Award from the Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce (MVCC) during their annual Veterans Day breakfast on Friday, Nov. 3. Prior to his career in banking, Howard served in the U.S. Marine Corps where he was stationed in Japan, South Korea and the Philippines. The award honors U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Johanny Rosario Pichardo, a Lawrence, Mass., native who was killed during the U.S. evacuation of Afghanistan in 2021.
On Friday. Nov. 3, Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) participated in the Kasasa® Best Day Ever campaign, which encouraged financial institutions across the country to initiate acts of kindness with the goal of initiating 100,000 acts of kindness. The campaign recorded more than 300,000 acts of kindness nationwide. MVCU team members from every branch and department participated in Best Day Ever by holding a Random Acts of Kindness Day within the communities the credit union serves, from Seabrook, N.H. to Fairhaven, Mass.
Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) has donated $30,000 to Emmaus, Inc. in Haverhill, Mass. MVCU began supporting Emmaus in 1994 and is currently the nonprofit’s longest running and largest corporate partner. MVCU has donated more than $500,000 to Emmaus over nearly three decades. Emmaus, Inc. is a non-profit organization that provides emergency shelter and affordable housing to families and individuals facing homelessness.
Merrimack Valley Credit Union was recently named “Best Credit Union” in the Eagle-Tribune’s annual contest in which the newspaper’s audience votes online for their favorite local businesses. The Eagle-Tribune covers the Merrimack Valley region of Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire, including the towns of Andover, North Andover, Methuen, Lawrence and Haverhill in Massachusetts and Salem, Atkinson, Plaistow, Pelham, Windham, Derry and Londonderry in New Hampshire.
On Thursday, Oct. 26, Credit Union Times published an exclusive profile of Merrimack Valley Credit Union’s (MVCU) President & CEO John J. Howard. The Q&A-style profile, titled “My Journey to Credit Union Leadership,” detailed Howard’s career in banking, the unique skills and experience that he brings to his role and the challenges he has overcome to become a credit union leader. Howard, a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps., became president & CEO of MVCU in 2018 following a merger with Bridgewater Credit Union where he had been president & CEO since 2015.
Merrimack Valley Credit Union’s (MVCU) President & CEO, John J. Howard, and Assistant Vice President of Member Support, Zobeida Duarte, were both honored during the Cooperative Credit Union Association’s (CCUA) annual APEX conference. Howard was named CEO of the Year and Duarte was named Young Professional of the Year. The CCUA is a credit union trade organization that represents credit unions in Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island. The CCUA’s annual APEX conference brought together nearly 700 hundred credit union professionals for a three-day event at Mohegan Sun Casino & Resort in Uncasville, CT.
On Saturday, Oct. 7, Bridgewater Credit Union, a division of Merrimack Valley Credit Union, hosted a Shred-It day at the credit union’s Fairhaven Branch to support the Fairhaven High School (FHS) class of 2025. During the event, members of the credit union and community alike brought old, unwanted documents to be shredded. Proper disposal of documents is imperative to protecting private personal information from identity thieves.
To adapt to recent growth and to create a healthy structure for future growth, Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) has announced the promotions of four team members into the newly created positions of Regional Sales and Service Manager.
On Saturday, Sept. 9, members of the Hanover, Mass. and surrounding communities are invited to attend the grand opening celebration of the new Bridgewater Credit Union, a division of Merrimack Valley Credit Union, branch located at 1095 Washington Street (RT 53) in Hanover. The festivities will begin at 10:15 a.m. with a tour of the new branch and ribbon cutting ceremony, including welcome remarks from Merrimack Valey Credit Union’s President & CEO John J. Howard. A celebration will follow immediately after from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. that features live music from Cat Country 98.1, food from Thyme Travel food truck, face painting, games, prizes and exclusive giveaways.
In response to the news of devastating fires that have taken over one hundred lives and impacted thousands of others in Maui, Hawaii, Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) has established the Hawaii Disaster Relief Fund through its GoodWorks Foundation to support CUAid, the disaster relief center of the National Credit Union Foundation (NCUF). MVCU has already donated $10,000 to CUAid to assist their credit union colleagues as they help their members through the process of rebuilding their lives. MVCU is now extending the opportunity to contribute to its members and the community at-large, who can donate to the Hawaii Disaster Relief Fund digitally or by cash or check at any of our branches.
On Wednesday, Aug. 16, Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) team members joined the Metro Boston Chapter of the Cooperative Credit Unions Association (CCUA) to build beds for A Bed for Every Child, an organization based in Lynn, Mass., that builds and donates new beds to children in need. MVCU staff organized two teams, each working together to construct a wooden twin sized bedframe. In addition to building a bed, teammates brought pillows, bedding, books and stuffed animals to personalize the beds and make them comfortable spaces for the children they will be delivered to.
When you’re young, it’s often exciting to experience the world outside of your hometown. Whether you drift far or stay close by, living in new places, working with new people and building your career independently are all incredible ways to grow and evolve. And sometimes, the path you take can lead you right back to your roots. This is what happened for Merrimack Valley Credit Union’s (MVCU) new Vice President of Commercial Lending Tim Frechette. After spending decades in lending and sales throughout New England, Tim, a Methuen, Mass. native, has made his way back to the Merrimack Valley to help credit union members both in and around his hometown.
Despite an increase in the volume of calls due to our recent merger, MVCU’s Member Support department has been extremely successful in reducing the occurrences of abandoned calls each day. An abandoned call occurs when a member who is placed on hold gives up and ends the call before getting to speak with a representative. In July 2022, the team had an average of 47 abandoned calls per day. As of June 2023, Member Support’s average number of abandoned calls per day is down to just seven!
On Tuesday, August 1, Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) awarded a total of $10,000 in scholarships to three local high school and college students. The students were honored with a special ceremony at the credit union’s Waltham office, followed by a lunch with the students, their families and members of MVCU’s senior management team.
As I reflect on the busy spring we have had at the now larger Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) and gear up for the exciting summer ahead of us, I have been thinking about the importance of engagement. As a community credit union, our most important focus is engaging positively with our members to offer solutions to life’s challenges and to be a positive force in the communities we serve. When it comes to engaging our members, my teammates and I recognize that our institution is part of your life, not just a place that you visit occasionally to make financial transactions. We are here to help you through important — and exciting! — milestones...
Jennifer Aldo, deposit operations ACH specialist at Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU), was recently awarded the New England Automated Clearing House (NEACH) Rising Star Award. The award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated outstanding leadership in the field of payments. Considered MVCU’s ACH expert, Aldo recently worked on a project to streamline ACH processing with the credit union’s core providers, resulting in operational efficiencies and a better experience for the credit union’s members. Aldo also became an Accredited Payments Risk Professional (APRP) this year. Jennifer will celebrate five years working for MVCU this October.
As a community credit union, my teammates and I are passionate about the members and communities that we serve each day. This means that our concerns go well beyond serving your basic financial needs. This month, we have hosted some exciting events that have helped us support one of our most important passions: education! On June 12, MVCU held its annual charity golf tournament, and what a joy it truly was to spend a warm day with so many generous partners from our community. Thanks to the generosity of the participating golfers and sponsors, the tournament raised over $55,000 to support our credit union’s new program, Financial Edge...
On Monday, June 12, Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) hosted its 2023 Charity Golf Classic at Atkinson Resort & Country Club in Atkinson, NH. The tournament, sponsored by Synergent, raised more than $55,000 to support the credit union’s new financial education program, Financial Edge, which is offered, free of charge, to community organizations throughout eastern Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire. Proceeds from the tournament will also fund financial education courses in schools throughout the region, in partnership with Banzai!, a financial training organizations that works with credit unions throughout the nation.
On Tuesday, June 13, Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) awarded a total of $17,500 in scholarships to 16 high school students from southern New Hampshire and Massachusetts. The students were honored with a special ceremony and dinner with MVCU’s senior leadership team at the credit union’s Lawrence corporate office.
The combined institution is now one of the five largest credit unions in Massachusetts. On Thursday, June 1, Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) finalized its merger with RTN Federal Credit Union. The newly merged credit union will operate under the Merrimack Valley Credit Union name until a new name is launched in late 2024. MVCU is now one of the five largest credit unions in Massachusetts with more than $2.3 billion in assets, 115,000 members and 28 branches. In March, members of MVCU and RTN voted in favor of merging the two financial organizations, clearing a major hurdle that allowed the credit unions to begin the transition into becoming one financial institution.
Each month, I grow more and more excited about the direction in which Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) is headed. I have spent the last few weeks working closely with my current and future (from RTN) MVCU teammates on our upcoming merger, and I am so proud of the incredible work our teams are doing to make this transition as smooth as possible. On Thursday, June 1, we anticipate that our merger will be final and we will officially become one credit union family. Though merging credit unions can be a challenging process, our mission to support our community remains at the forefront. As we approach Memorial Day weekend and prepare to gather with our loved ones and honor those who served, I encourage you to consider the important themes of community spirit and supporting our neighbors.
As technology and social media dominate our social interactions, making meaningful personal connections with others is becoming increasingly imperative to building a community. This rings especially true for local artists, who thrive when they have resources that can help create a supportive network with other artists. Lisa Miller-Gillespie, president of the Greater Lawrence Fellowship of the Arts, noticed this growing need for community, collaboration and connection, and organized a local festival to support artists of all ages and forms.
Who doesn’t love free money? On Thursday, May 11, Merrimack Valley Credit Union’s (MVCU) Methuen branch team visited a local supermarket to hand out free money to shoppers in celebration of the Kasasa rewards checking accounts. Methuen branch staff honored Kasasa’s superhero campaign by dressing in bright red superhero capes and heading to the Market Basket located at 70 Pleasant Valley Street in Methuen. The staff engaged with shoppers by telling them about the Kasasa rewards checking account and its incredible benefits, and then gave the shopper an envelope with a surprise cash value inside!
On Friday, April 22, MVCU teammates spent the night at Bridgewater State University to support the American Cancer Society’s annual Relay for Life fundraiser. This was the credit union’s first time participating in the Relay, and the team collectively raised $5,150 for the American Cancer Society. MVCU’s relay team was led by Team Captain Wendy Kuntz, a senior mortgage underwriter. Wendy, who has lost numerous family members and a lifelong friend to cancer, felt passionate about this cause and the opportunity to show support for those currently battling this disease.
Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) has been named as one of Boston Business Journal’s (BBJ) 2023 Best Places to Work. Out of the 300-plus businesses who were nominated, only 80 were selected overall. Businesses were ranked in small, medium, large and extra large categories, and MVCU was one of 20 medium-sized companies to receive the honor. For 21 years, the annual Best Places to Work program has recognized companies who have cultivated a great workplace culture for their employees. To be eligible for this honor, the company needs to have a minimum of 20 employees and have a physical office in Massachusetts.
What an exciting time it is for our credit union. Just a couple of weeks ago, we held our Special Meeting of members to vote for our proposed merger with RTN Federal Credit Union. After an exciting two days of connecting with members and colleagues, the final results came in and both MVCU and RTN members voted overwhelmingly in favor of the proposed merger. Now, the final hurdle that we need to clear is receiving approval from the Massachusetts Division of Banks, which is expected to occur by the end of April. I want to take this opportunity to thank all of our members for the support they have provided us throughout this process
One of the many missions of the Massachusetts-based Credit Unions Kids at Heart nonprofit organization is to raise money to support research on the incredibly rare Moyamoya disease. Learn more about the nonprofit’s efforts and how an Andover family was impacted by this neurological disease.
Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) sponsored Monday night’s community meal at the Haverhill Citizen Center on Welcome Street. Several MVCU teammates volunteered to help prepare and serve meals to dozens of community members. Every Monday, the nonprofit Community Meals, Inc. serves meals prepared by a local chef that are free and open to the public. Local organizations and businesses sponsor these weekly meals and provide volunteers. MVCU’s volunteers helped serve meatball subs, beverages and dessert to over 40 members of the Haverhill community.
The members of Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) and RTN Federal Credit Union (RTN) voted in favor of merging the two financial organizations this week, bringing them one step closer to creating one of the five largest credit unions in Massachusetts with more than $2.4 billion in assets. Members of both credit unions voted overwhelmingly in favor of the merger.
MVCU staff formed teams to support annual bowling and bocce events hosted by charitable organizations in the Merrimack Valley. These events offered great opportunities for connecting with our community and team bonding—with lots of camaraderie and competition!
The month of March brings some exciting things for the MVCU community. Just as the spring season marks new growth in the environment around us, we will celebrate important milestones as our proposed merger with RTN Federal Credit Union comes closer to fruition. All of the recent talk about merging makes me reflect on the rich history of mergers that has helped MVCU become the strong, community financial institution that it is today.
Celebrating an anniversary offers an opportunity to reflect, learn and look forward to the future. Whether it’s romantic or professional, one year or 30 years, pausing to appreciate important milestones helps connect us to the journey we have been on and the person we have become. This month, Deposit Operations Manager Wendi Fallon is celebrating 30 years working for Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU). When reflecting on her professional journey, it is the credit union’s community-focus and the special connections she has made with credit union members that have helped Wendi to thrive over the past three decades.
Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) and Methuen High School (MHS) teamed up for the fourth year to present the Credit for Life Fair to more than 300 graduating seniors on Friday, Feb. 17. “A solid financial foundation is so important for people, no matter how old or young,” said John J. Howard, president and CEO of MVCU. “As a community credit union, we seek out opportunities to provide financial education to community members. Working with Methuen High School on the Credit for Life Fair gives us the chance to talk to the students at a critical time in their lives: right before they’re about to start making significant financial decisions on their own.”
We’re already well into the second month of 2023, where does the time go? This February, I’ve found myself considering the things that I am passionate about, both inside and outside of the workplace. Of course, my family and my work are my most important priorities. But I also have an exciting passion that you may not know about: I love to travel. When I was young, my family rarely traveled—although this never stopped me from dreaming about the day that I could visit new and exciting places.
Life can take an unexpected turn at any time, sometimes turning joyful circumstances into frightening ones. Few people know this better than Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) member and Methuen native Bobby Cole and his family. In the fall of 2020, Cole and his wife, Tori, learned they were expecting their first child. The couple were thrilled, as were their families. Like most expectant parents, the Coles began to make space for the baby in their home and in their hearts. But in the early spring of 2021, when her pregnancy was 26 weeks along, Tori began to experience abdominal pain.
From budgeting to saving to investing to borrowing, keeping track of everything you need to be financially successful can be confusing in our ever-changing economy. Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) recognizes the challenges experienced by members and is excited to introduce LPL Financial and financial advisor, Chris Maynard. Chris has decades of experience in many sectors of the financial world, and a passion for helping others get the most out of their money.
Happy New Year! I’m excited to welcome you back to Member’s Edge. As we transition into 2023, there is so much to look forward to, including our proposed merger with RTN Federal Credit Union (pending member and regulatory approval). While merging with another credit union is an exciting endeavor, I understand that we all have concerns and questions when changes are proposed. So, I want to share a little bit about the history and benefits of merging credit unions.
What do you love about your local credit union branch? Is the atmosphere warm and inviting? Do you have a favorite teller that greets you each time you stop by? Is there convenient access to an ATM that accommodates your busy schedule? Whatever your reason may be, it takes a group of talented and hard-working teammates to make each branch a welcoming, community-focused environment. This is exactly what has been established at MVCU’s Haverhill branch led by Branch Manager Taveiry Brito. In this Behind-the-Scenes look at our Haverhill location, Taveiry gets candid about community, leadership and Haverhill’s unique interior design.
Many members have asked for an improved and seamless process for both receiving direct deposits and making electronic payments. We heard you! You are now able to set up payments from or direct deposits to any or all of your checking, savings, and/or club accounts. You get to decide where your money goes. To do that, we have added a unique ACH Account Number to most accounts. A small number of members may receive a letter from their merchant or employer verifying this new ACH Account Number. If you already have payments and deposits set up, you don’t have to do anything. To set up new payments or deposits, you will use your account’s new unique ACH Account Number.
Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) and Kasasa, an award-winning financial technology and marketing provider, announced the winner of the local “These Are My People” contest. Brittanie Ramirez of Lawrence, Mass. won $2,500 to help support human connection with her favorite people. “I was so surprised when I received the call that I won that I didn’t believe that it was true,” said Ramirez. “This money gives me the opportunity to give back to Beyond Soccer, an organization that I was part of growing up here in Lawrence and where I work now as a Coach Mentor.
Welcome back to Member’s Edge. Since the release of our last newsletter MVCU made a major announcement: RTN Federal Credit Union will be merging into Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU), pending member and regulatory approval. As your President & CEO, I am thrilled by the opportunities that will open because of this merger. This endeavor is just another step towards our goal of making MVCU the greatest place anyone has ever worked and the greatest place anyone has ever banked.
What does it mean to "grow up" in our credit union? How does starting your career while taking college courses affect your learning? These questions are answered in the story of Zobeida Duarte, one of MVCU's many female leaders who has found both growth and success in her nine-plus years here at MVCU. (And she's just getting started!)
Christmas trees! Santa! Presents! Snow! And… Harry Potter? MVCU members, teammates, and community members alike celebrated the holiday season with TWO wonderful parties in our Lawrence and Bridgewater offices. Check out this recap of our awesome holiday events!
To support children in need and spread cheer this holiday season, Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) held a toy drive at each of its ten branch locations. Each branch collected new, unwrapped toys to be donated to various organizations throughout Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire. To support as many children as possible throughout the credit union’s field of membership, MVCU donated toys to numerous organizations from Seabrook, NH, to Fairhaven.
On Monday, Dec. 5, Bridgewater Credit Union, a division of Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU), established a new community partnership with the Plymouth Public Library Foundation (PPLF), making a $10,000 donation that will support the foundation’s public events through the end of 2023, including its golf tournament, arts & crafts festival and the annual Taste of the Town. The partnership will also include the development of a free financial literacy program that MVCU will launch in conjunction with the Plymouth Public Library next year.
LAWRENCE, MA — In celebration of the season of giving, Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) is helping local families in need enjoy their Thanksgiving dinners with loved ones. This year, MVCU’s annual Thanksgiving Food Drive collected goods to support the Merrimack Valley Food Bank (MVFB). Taking place in early November, MVCU members and employees generously donated boxed, canned and non-perishable goods including stuffing, potatoes, cranberry sauce, peanut butter, hot cocoa and much more. The drive was held in MVCU’s Lawrence, Methuen, Haverhill, North Andover, Plaistow and Seabrook branch locations where, in total, MVCU collected a whopping 720 pounds of food for the MVFB.
I first want to welcome you to Member’s Edge, our expanded news section on mvcu.com. Here, you’ll enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at your credit union and the teammates who make Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) and Bridgewater Credit Union (BCU) wonderful places to work and bank. At MVCU and BCU, we consider ourselves a part of OneTeam; a team made up of many branches, many team members, and many members. We work together to support each other, and we’re all aligned towards the common goal of making this the best place anyone has ever worked or banked.
As you step inside Bridgewater Credit Union, A Division of Merrimack Valley Credit Union’s new Plymouth Branch, you’ll notice some elements that feel familiar and others that feel rather new. You are still welcomed by the friendly tellers of Plymouth’s previous location and enjoy the same services that all our branches provide. But this new space offers even more: a modern design with bright natural lighting and unique ties to the local community. Let’s go Behind-the-Scenes at BCU’s new branch for the story behind its unique look, and the manager who leads its team.
On Thursday, Nov. 3, Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) donated $30,000 to Emmaus, Inc., a homeless shelter in Haverhill, MA. This annual donation is a continuation of the support MVCU has provided the non-profit since 1994. MVCU is Emmaus' longest running and largest corporate partner, contributing over $500,000 to the non-profit over nearly three decades. Emmaus, Inc. is a non-profit organization that provides emergency shelter and affordable housing to families and individuals facing homelessness.
Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) hosted its annual Shred It Day on Saturday, September 10. During the event, which was held at MCVU’s North Andover and Plymouth branches, members of the credit union brought in old, unwanted documents to be shredded. MVCU Members travelled from throughout the Merrimack Valley, including Lawrence, Methuen and Haverhill, to visit the Andover branch.
On Wednesday, June 22, Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) awarded a total of $16,500 in scholarships to 15 high school students from New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Nina Tiani was the inaugural recipient of the Lisa Lewis Goodman Community Spirit Award of $2,500, and the other 14 recipients received $1,000 scholarships. Nine students were able to attend the scholarship presentation in person with their families, while two attended via Zoom.
Lawrence, Mass. (March 30, 2022) – For the first time since 2019, more than 200 Methuen High School seniors participated in a “Credit for Life” fair on Friday, March 25. Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) partnered with Methuen High School to present this opportunity for students to take a hands-on approach to budgeting and managing their money.
In honor of American Heart Month, Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) held a fundraiser throughout February to raise money for the American Heart Association. The MVCU branch team sold hearts for a minimum donation of $2.00 with MVCU employees also contributing, raising a total of $3,608.99.
The RTN GoodWorks Foundation, a nonprofit, public charitable foundation affiliated with Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU), has made donations totaling $3,000 to five local non-profit organizations in celebration of Giving Tuesday.
Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) has donated $30,000 to Emmaus, Inc. in Haverhill, Mass. The credit union is proud to be the nonprofit’s longest running and largest partner, having donated more than half a million dollars through 30 years of support for Emmaus, Inc.
The members of Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) and Cabot Boston Credit Union (CBCU) voted in favor of merging the two financial organizations last month, following separate member votes at each organization’s corporate headquarters. MVCU will be the continuing credit union. Founded in 1955, MVCU is a state-chartered, not-for-profit, member-owned financial cooperative with more than $2.3 billion in assets and 19 retail branches that serve more than 115,000 members in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island. The merger will combine the resources, expertise and values of two longstanding credit unions.
Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) is proud to announce its sponsorship of 100 wreaths through Wreaths Across America in partnership with the North Andover Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 2104. The wreaths will be placed on veterans' graves at Ridgewood Cemetery (177 Salem Street, North Andover) on Saturday, Dec. 14, to honor those who have served and sacrificed for our nation. Wreaths Across America is a national initiative dedicated to remembering fallen veterans, honoring those who serve and educating future generations about the value of freedom. MVCU's sponsorship ensures that the graves of 100 veterans at Ridgewood Cemetery will be adorned with fresh wreaths, a gesture of respect and gratitude during the holiday season.
During October and November, Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) held its annual food drive in each of its 19 retail branch locations. The drive supported organizations in locations ranging from southern New Hampshire to the south coast of Massachusetts. MVCU branches collected nonperishable food items from team members and members in celebration of the season of giving. Branch managers and their teams were encouraged to choose organizations that operate in their respective areas to have a direct impact on the communities they serve. Pantries that received donations included:
Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) is proud to announce the donation of one of its company vehicles to Vehicles for Veterans, a nonprofit car donation foundation that supports U.S. veterans and their families. Vehicles for Veterans turns donated vehicles into funding for veteran programs across the country that support housing, healthcare and employment assistance. Through this donation, MVCU is helping to further the organization’s mission to support veterans who have served and sacrificed for our country.
What an exciting time for our credit union! Over the past few weeks, MVCU has announced some changes to our organization: our proposed merger with Cabot Boston Credit Union (CBCU) and our rebrand to BrightBridge Credit Union in 2025. While these planned changes are exciting, I understand that change can be daunting, especially for members who have banked with our credit union for decades under the MVCU, RTN or Bridgewater Credit Union names—or any of the other 24 credit union names that make up our family tree!
On Thursday, Oct. 3, Bridgewater Credit Union, a division of Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU), celebrated the grand opening of its new Plymouth branch located at 73 Long Pond Road. The celebration featured a speech from MVCU President & CEO John J. Howard followed by a ribbon cutting ceremony, tours of the new branch and light refreshments. MVCU executives had the opportunity to meet with the teams from Solidus and AccuBranch that created the state-of-the-art building.
On Saturday, Sept. 28, Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) hosted a community Shred Day at its Lawrence, Waltham and Bridgewater locations. Members of the credit union and community at large brought old, unwanted documents to be shredded. Proper disposal of documents, such as shredding, is imperative to protecting private personal information from identity thieves. Shredding is the safest way to dispose of documents containing a signature, account number, social security number or medical or legal information that are no longer necessary to retain.
President & CEO John J. Howard has announced that Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) will officially change its name to BrightBridge Credit Union. The change will take effect in 2025, pending member and regulatory approval. Staff and members were recently informed about the name change, following a vote by the MVCU Board of Directors. “The Merrimack Valley Credit Union name, while strong, is very specific to one region, one part of our history. It does not reflect the many communities our family tree has served, and we continue to serve. As we work to remain responsive to the needs of current members and new generations of members, our new name will position us for growth and reflect our values and goals for the future,” said Howard in a recent letter to members.
Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) is pleased to announce the hiring of three new branch managers to oversee branches in Danvers, Quincy and Waltham. Denise Scurio will manage Danvers, Stephen Spagnolo will manage Quincy and Gregory Kennedy will manage Waltham.
Bridgewater Credit Union (BCU), a division of Merrimack Valley Credit Union, hosted a Family Fun Day at the credit union’s Hanover branch on Saturday, June 15. The state-of-the-art branch, located at 1095 Washington Street (RT 53), opened in September 2023. BCU’s Family Fun Day, a free event that welcomed all community members, kicked off the summer season with activities that attendees of all ages enjoyed, including the chance to touch and explore a Hanover Police Department police car and a Hanover Fire Department firetruck. Community members also met Lainey, the Hanover Police Department’s comfort dog and enjoyed an ice cream truck, face painting, lawn games and more.
In what feels like the blink of an eye, we are already halfway through 2024. My youngest grandson, Noah, is just a few months away from his first birthday and it reminds me each day of how important it is to pause and hold on to the important moments before they fly by. As you know, MVCU completed a conversion of our core systems earlier this month, finally – and successfully! – merging all members into unified platforms. This not only marked the final step in the merger between MVCU and RTN Federal Credit Union, but the end of twelve months of preparation and hard work by both MVCU and RTN’s talented team members.
On Tuesday, June 11, Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) awarded a total of $26,500 in scholarships to 18 graduating seniors from schools throughout southern New Hampshire and Massachusetts. The students were honored with a ceremony and dinner with MVCU’s senior leadership team at the credit union’s corporate office in Lawrence, Mass. Two of the scholarship awards honor members of the MVCU and former RTN Federal Credit Union community. The Lisa Lewis Goodman Community Spirit Award of $2,500 honors one student who embodies a spirit of generosity, kindness and selflessness by giving back and volunteering in the community. The award is named after MVCU’s long-time collections manager who passed away in 2021.
On Monday, June 10, Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) hosted its annual Charity Golf Classic at the Atkinson Resort & Country Club in Atkinson, N.H. The tournament, sponsored by Synergent, raised nearly $40,000 to support the credit union’s financial education programs for members and the community. MVCU’s Financial Edge, a program developed in partnership with Banzai! – a financial training organization that works with credit unions throughout the nation – funds financial education courses in schools throughout the region and offers community organizations in-person training and digital tools to enhance the knowledge and money management skills of students and adults.
Throughout the month of May, MVCU team members participated in Brigham & Women’s Hospital’s Step Up for Stepping Strong challenge. This steps challenge is a wellness initiative that raises money and awareness for trauma research and patient care at The Gillian Reny Stepping Strong Center for Trauma Innovation, which is celebrating the 10th anniversary this year and was founded by survivors of the Boston Marathon bombings.
Bridgewater Credit Union, a division of Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU), is continuing its partnership with the Plymouth Public Library Foundation (PPLF) with a $7,500 donation that will support the foundation’s public events through the end of 2024, including its golf tournament, arts & crafts festival and the annual Taste of the Town. The partnership also includes the development of a free financial literacy program that MVCU launched in conjunction with the Plymouth Public Library in 2023. The PPLF is a non-profit organization that supports the Plymouth Public Library in their effort to provide quality services and resources to their community.
Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) President & CEO John J. Howard was one of three featured panelists during the Cooperative Credit Union Association’s (CCUA) annual CU Accelerate conference in Philadelphia, PA. The conference brings together credit union professionals from New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Delaware for informative keynote presentations, lectures, panels and networking opportunities. John J. Howard was a featured panelist during the event’s Adapting for Relevance panel discussion on Friday, May 3, alongside Devon Lyon, president and CEO of Central One Federal Credit Union and Janell Upton, president and CEO of Dover Federal Credit Union.
Monday, May 6, marks the second year of observance of Moyamoya Disease Awareness Day in Massachusetts and Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) is supporting Credit Unions Kids at Heart®, a Massachusetts-based nonprofit organization, in its efforts to raise awareness throughout the Commonwealth. Research on Moyamoya, conducted at Boston Children's Hospital, is one of the fundraising initiatives of Credit Unions Kids at Heart® and MVCU is partnering with them to draw attention to this dangerous condition with handouts, in-branch displays and giveaways at each of MVCU’s 19 retail branches.
As part of National Financial Literacy Month, Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) continued its longstanding partnership with Africano Waltham by hosting a “Leaders of Tomorrow” program at the credit union’s Waltham branch on Wednesday, April 17. During the event, MVCU’s Business Development team hosted several teenaged student members of Africano Waltham for a day of financial education, networking and professional guidance. Founded in 2010, Africano Waltham is a nonprofit organization that uses a holistic approach to support and uplift African immigrant youth and their families...
Bridgewater Credit Union, A Division of Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU), is excited to announce that the construction of its new Plymouth branch has entered its final stages. On Monday, April 15, the credit union’s leadership and management team gathered at the new branch, located at 59 Long Pond Road, to celebrate this milestone and observe current progress. “We look forward to continuing our longstanding and important relationship with the Plymouth community,” says MVCU Chief Retail Officer and Chief People Officer Nicole James.
Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) has donated $10,000 to Catie’s Closet, a nonprofit organization in Dracut Mass., to support their SOS Urgent Response program. Founded in 2009, Catie’s Closet provides clothes, toiletries and other essentials to students who cannot afford them by setting up secure stores (called closets) in schools. These closets offer these items at no cost to the children, enabling them to attend class and participate in school activities with dignity and confidence. Catie’s Closet currently operates in 130 schools throughout southern New Hampshire and Massachusetts, serving more than 90,000 students daily.
Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) recently sponsored a community meal at the Haverhill Citizen Center on Welcome Street. Every Monday, the nonprofit Community Meals, Inc. serves meals prepared by a local chef that are free to the public. Local organizations and businesses sponsor these weekly meals and provide volunteers. In addition to a monetary donation and bringing desserts, MVCU’s volunteers helped prepare and serve a meatloaf dinner to dozens of Haverhill community members throughout the evening.
On April 2, MVCU’s Assistant Vice President of Operations Helen Nazar celebrated her 40th work anniversary with the credit union. Helen’s career in banking began at her hometown bank, Hyde Park Savings, where she worked first as a teller and then as a customer service representative. Five years later, Nazar joined RTN Federal Credit Union (which merged with MVCU in 2023). As the credit union grew, Nazar worked in the ATM department and became an expert in electronic payments and automated clearing house (ACH) payments including Social Security deposits. This experience would lead her to her current role as one of the leaders of MVCU’s Operations department.
On Wednesday, March 13, Credit Union Times published an exclusive profile of Merrimack Valley Credit Union’s (MVCU) Executive Vice President, Chief Retail Officer and Chief People Officer Nicole James. The Q&A-style profile detailed James’ extensive experience as a credit union leader, the important lessons she has learned throughout her career and her big picture plans for the credit union community. James, who has worked in the credit union industry for more than three decades, joined MVCU following a merger with RTN Federal Credit Union in 2023.
On Thursday, March 14, Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) celebrated Pi Day with members and the community by handing out individual Table Talk pies at its 19 retail branches and delivering pies to some of the credit union’s Select Employer Group (SEG) partners. Pi Day, first celebrated in 1988, honors the mathematical constant, Pi, whose first three numerals are 3.14. MVCU joined in on the fun by ordering more than 3,100 assorted flavors of pies and distributing them throughout the organization’s retail branches.
On Friday, Feb. 16, Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) and Methuen High School (MHS) teamed up for the fifth year to present the Credit for Life Fair to hundreds of graduating seniors. Credit for Life is a two-hour financial simulation held in Klimas Field House at MHS. Prior to the fair, students selected a profession that best fits their post-graduation plans and received an estimated salary. During the fair, students visited 15 different booths that represented financial decisions they would encounter as adults, such as attending community, state or private college; choosing between purchasing a car or a monthly public transit pass; and deciding whether to rent or own a home.
It is easy to assume that a financial executive achieves a high-level position due to their knack with numbers. Yet, the most compelling and perhaps surprising thing about senior executives of all kinds is their thirst for knowledge. A successful leader possesses a deep understanding of their business as a whole and is constantly learning and growing to best support the team members they lead. Michael Valley, Merrimack Valley Credit Union’s (MVCU) chief financial officer and chief operating officer, is no exception.
“A happy life involves much more than just satisfying yourself.” Of the many words of wisdom Nicole James—Merrimack Valley Credit Union’s (MVCU) new executive vice president, chief people officer and chief retail officer—offers, this quote most embodies the credit union philosophy of people helping people and her own passion for serving others. Her professional journey is driven by a desire to help others live their best lives and with an exciting new role at a growing credit union, she is looking forward to continuing to elevate the people around her.
When James C. Potter enrolled in classes at Northeastern University in 1983, he thought he would major in computer science. Like many irresolute college students, Potter was unsure of what his true career calling was and learned quickly that computer science might not be it. This “it” was not far away, though. While spending time at home during winter break, Potter and his family watched the holiday classic It’s a Wonderful Life. No, Potter was not inspired by the heartwarming journey of James Stewart’s George Bailey. Rather, it was the film’s antagonist who bore the same surname, evil banker Mr. Potter, that inspired Potter into his extensive career in the financial world.
Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) has announced that its annual scholarship program is open for high school seniors graduating in 2024. The credit union is accepting applications from now through Thursday, Feb. 29. The third annual Lisa Lewis Goodman Community Spirit Award of $2,500 will be presented to one student who embodies the credit union's philosophy of people helping people and demonstrates a dedication to their community through volunteer efforts both in and outside of school. The credit union will also award fourteen $1,000 scholarships to students based on their high school academic success.
From Monday, Nov. 27 through Saturday, Dec. 16, Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU), held its annual toy drive to support children and families in need throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. All 17 of MVCU’s Bay State retail branches participated in the event, collecting new, unwrapped toys from credit union and community members. MVCU’s Massachusetts locations donated to local chapters of the Boys & Girls Club ranging from the Merrimack Valley to the south shore.
As I take in the joy of the holiday season and the excitement of the new year, I have been considering how important it is to set goals that keep us motivated. This fall, I took an incredible solo trip to Alaska where I fed my passion for travel by exploring new terrain, admiring wildlife and experiencing unique cultures and cuisines. Personal finances are one of the most important things to consider when planning a trip like that and I would like to share some simple savings tactics that helped me fund my passion and can help you too!
Bridgewater Credit Union (BCU), a division of Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU), is pleased to announce that Erik Lipus has joined the credit union as branch manager of the Bridgewater, Mass., branch. Prior to joining MVCU in late October 2023, Lipus spent nearly 17 years at Citizens Bank where he began working as a teller in 2007. He worked his way up through various leadership positions including banker, senior banker, assistant manager, branch manager and business relationship manager.
Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) welcomed credit union and community members with a weekend full of holiday celebrations in early December. The credit union’s Lawrence corporate office hosted its annual holiday celebration on Saturday, Dec. 2 and the Bridgewater office held its celebration on Sunday, Dec. 3. The theme for both parties was The Polar Express. The corporate offices were decked out in holiday decorations, complete with trains, cardboard cutouts of the beloved characters and volunteer staff members in holiday-themed pajamas.
This November, Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) held its annual food drive in several of its branch locations. The drive supported organizations in locations ranging from southern New Hampshire to the south coast of Massachusetts. Participating MVCU branches collected nonperishable food items from team members and members in celebration of the season of giving. This year, participating MVCU branch locations choose organizations that operate in their respective communities.
On Thursday, Nov. 16, several Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) team members partnered with Neighbors in Need to help distribute food to more than 240 community members at the Lawrence Boys & Girls Club. Neighbors In Need is a Lawrence-based organization that operates six food pantries in Lawrence, Methuen and Andover. The organization’s Holiday Meal Program provides Thanksgiving and holiday meals to local food pantry families and other families referred to Neighbors in Need by area social workers and partner organizations.
While the months of November and December can be hectic, the holidays are the very time of the year when we should pause for reflection and gratitude. I have been reflecting and feel very grateful for many things in my life. First, I am so thankful for my family, which grew a little bit bigger last month with the addition of my third grandson, Noah! I am also so grateful to be part of our OneTeam at Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) and for the many ways that we support our communities.
Bridgewater Credit Union (BCU), a division of Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU), was honored with an Economic Impact Award from the Metro South Chamber of Commerce during the Chamber’s 110th Annual Meeting Expo on Wednesday, Nov. 15. According to the Metro South Chamber, the award honors “significant investment and contribution to the economic development of the region.” BCU received the award in recognition of the credit union’s investment in the new branch that opened on Washington Street in Hanover this summer.
Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) President & CEO John J. Howard received the U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Johanny Rosario Pichardo Memorial Award from the Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce (MVCC) during their annual Veterans Day breakfast on Friday, Nov. 3. Prior to his career in banking, Howard served in the U.S. Marine Corps where he was stationed in Japan, South Korea and the Philippines. The award honors U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Johanny Rosario Pichardo, a Lawrence, Mass., native who was killed during the U.S. evacuation of Afghanistan in 2021.
On Friday. Nov. 3, Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) participated in the Kasasa® Best Day Ever campaign, which encouraged financial institutions across the country to initiate acts of kindness with the goal of initiating 100,000 acts of kindness. The campaign recorded more than 300,000 acts of kindness nationwide. MVCU team members from every branch and department participated in Best Day Ever by holding a Random Acts of Kindness Day within the communities the credit union serves, from Seabrook, N.H. to Fairhaven, Mass.
Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) has donated $30,000 to Emmaus, Inc. in Haverhill, Mass. MVCU began supporting Emmaus in 1994 and is currently the nonprofit’s longest running and largest corporate partner. MVCU has donated more than $500,000 to Emmaus over nearly three decades. Emmaus, Inc. is a non-profit organization that provides emergency shelter and affordable housing to families and individuals facing homelessness.
Merrimack Valley Credit Union was recently named “Best Credit Union” in the Eagle-Tribune’s annual contest in which the newspaper’s audience votes online for their favorite local businesses. The Eagle-Tribune covers the Merrimack Valley region of Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire, including the towns of Andover, North Andover, Methuen, Lawrence and Haverhill in Massachusetts and Salem, Atkinson, Plaistow, Pelham, Windham, Derry and Londonderry in New Hampshire.
On Thursday, Oct. 26, Credit Union Times published an exclusive profile of Merrimack Valley Credit Union’s (MVCU) President & CEO John J. Howard. The Q&A-style profile, titled “My Journey to Credit Union Leadership,” detailed Howard’s career in banking, the unique skills and experience that he brings to his role and the challenges he has overcome to become a credit union leader. Howard, a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps., became president & CEO of MVCU in 2018 following a merger with Bridgewater Credit Union where he had been president & CEO since 2015.
Merrimack Valley Credit Union’s (MVCU) President & CEO, John J. Howard, and Assistant Vice President of Member Support, Zobeida Duarte, were both honored during the Cooperative Credit Union Association’s (CCUA) annual APEX conference. Howard was named CEO of the Year and Duarte was named Young Professional of the Year. The CCUA is a credit union trade organization that represents credit unions in Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island. The CCUA’s annual APEX conference brought together nearly 700 hundred credit union professionals for a three-day event at Mohegan Sun Casino & Resort in Uncasville, CT.
On Saturday, Oct. 7, Bridgewater Credit Union, a division of Merrimack Valley Credit Union, hosted a Shred-It day at the credit union’s Fairhaven Branch to support the Fairhaven High School (FHS) class of 2025. During the event, members of the credit union and community alike brought old, unwanted documents to be shredded. Proper disposal of documents is imperative to protecting private personal information from identity thieves.
To adapt to recent growth and to create a healthy structure for future growth, Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) has announced the promotions of four team members into the newly created positions of Regional Sales and Service Manager.
On Saturday, Sept. 9, members of the Hanover, Mass. and surrounding communities are invited to attend the grand opening celebration of the new Bridgewater Credit Union, a division of Merrimack Valley Credit Union, branch located at 1095 Washington Street (RT 53) in Hanover. The festivities will begin at 10:15 a.m. with a tour of the new branch and ribbon cutting ceremony, including welcome remarks from Merrimack Valey Credit Union’s President & CEO John J. Howard. A celebration will follow immediately after from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. that features live music from Cat Country 98.1, food from Thyme Travel food truck, face painting, games, prizes and exclusive giveaways.
In response to the news of devastating fires that have taken over one hundred lives and impacted thousands of others in Maui, Hawaii, Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) has established the Hawaii Disaster Relief Fund through its GoodWorks Foundation to support CUAid, the disaster relief center of the National Credit Union Foundation (NCUF). MVCU has already donated $10,000 to CUAid to assist their credit union colleagues as they help their members through the process of rebuilding their lives. MVCU is now extending the opportunity to contribute to its members and the community at-large, who can donate to the Hawaii Disaster Relief Fund digitally or by cash or check at any of our branches.
On Wednesday, Aug. 16, Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) team members joined the Metro Boston Chapter of the Cooperative Credit Unions Association (CCUA) to build beds for A Bed for Every Child, an organization based in Lynn, Mass., that builds and donates new beds to children in need. MVCU staff organized two teams, each working together to construct a wooden twin sized bedframe. In addition to building a bed, teammates brought pillows, bedding, books and stuffed animals to personalize the beds and make them comfortable spaces for the children they will be delivered to.
Time flies when you’re having fun! It feels like just yesterday I was writing to you about the beginning of summer and the first exciting days of our merger. Although we’re halfway through August, summer is not over yet. No matter how busy our schedules become, there is so much value in allowing yourself time to relax and to do something different. My teammates will likely joke that I am the last person who should talk about the importance of rest and free time.
When you’re young, it’s often exciting to experience the world outside of your hometown. Whether you drift far or stay close by, living in new places, working with new people and building your career independently are all incredible ways to grow and evolve. And sometimes, the path you take can lead you right back to your roots. This is what happened for Merrimack Valley Credit Union’s (MVCU) new Vice President of Commercial Lending Tim Frechette. After spending decades in lending and sales throughout New England, Tim, a Methuen, Mass. native, has made his way back to the Merrimack Valley to help credit union members both in and around his hometown.
Despite an increase in the volume of calls due to our recent merger, MVCU’s Member Support department has been extremely successful in reducing the occurrences of abandoned calls each day. An abandoned call occurs when a member who is placed on hold gives up and ends the call before getting to speak with a representative. In July 2022, the team had an average of 47 abandoned calls per day. As of June 2023, Member Support’s average number of abandoned calls per day is down to just seven!
On Tuesday, August 1, Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) awarded a total of $10,000 in scholarships to three local high school and college students. The students were honored with a special ceremony at the credit union’s Waltham office, followed by a lunch with the students, their families and members of MVCU’s senior management team.
As I reflect on the busy spring we have had at the now larger Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) and gear up for the exciting summer ahead of us, I have been thinking about the importance of engagement. As a community credit union, our most important focus is engaging positively with our members to offer solutions to life’s challenges and to be a positive force in the communities we serve. When it comes to engaging our members, my teammates and I recognize that our institution is part of your life, not just a place that you visit occasionally to make financial transactions. We are here to help you through important — and exciting! — milestones...
Jennifer Aldo, deposit operations ACH specialist at Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU), was recently awarded the New England Automated Clearing House (NEACH) Rising Star Award. The award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated outstanding leadership in the field of payments. Considered MVCU’s ACH expert, Aldo recently worked on a project to streamline ACH processing with the credit union’s core providers, resulting in operational efficiencies and a better experience for the credit union’s members. Aldo also became an Accredited Payments Risk Professional (APRP) this year. Jennifer will celebrate five years working for MVCU this October.
As a community credit union, my teammates and I are passionate about the members and communities that we serve each day. This means that our concerns go well beyond serving your basic financial needs. This month, we have hosted some exciting events that have helped us support one of our most important passions: education! On June 12, MVCU held its annual charity golf tournament, and what a joy it truly was to spend a warm day with so many generous partners from our community. Thanks to the generosity of the participating golfers and sponsors, the tournament raised over $55,000 to support our credit union’s new program, Financial Edge...
On Monday, June 12, Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) hosted its 2023 Charity Golf Classic at Atkinson Resort & Country Club in Atkinson, NH. The tournament, sponsored by Synergent, raised more than $55,000 to support the credit union’s new financial education program, Financial Edge, which is offered, free of charge, to community organizations throughout eastern Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire. Proceeds from the tournament will also fund financial education courses in schools throughout the region, in partnership with Banzai!, a financial training organizations that works with credit unions throughout the nation.
On Tuesday, June 13, Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) awarded a total of $17,500 in scholarships to 16 high school students from southern New Hampshire and Massachusetts. The students were honored with a special ceremony and dinner with MVCU’s senior leadership team at the credit union’s Lawrence corporate office.
Each month, I grow more and more excited about the direction in which Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) is headed. I have spent the last few weeks working closely with my current and future (from RTN) MVCU teammates on our upcoming merger, and I am so proud of the incredible work our teams are doing to make this transition as smooth as possible. On Thursday, June 1, we anticipate that our merger will be final and we will officially become one credit union family. Though merging credit unions can be a challenging process, our mission to support our community remains at the forefront. As we approach Memorial Day weekend and prepare to gather with our loved ones and honor those who served, I encourage you to consider the important themes of community spirit and supporting our neighbors.
As technology and social media dominate our social interactions, making meaningful personal connections with others is becoming increasingly imperative to building a community. This rings especially true for local artists, who thrive when they have resources that can help create a supportive network with other artists. Lisa Miller-Gillespie, president of the Greater Lawrence Fellowship of the Arts, noticed this growing need for community, collaboration and connection, and organized a local festival to support artists of all ages and forms.
Who doesn’t love free money? On Thursday, May 11, Merrimack Valley Credit Union’s (MVCU) Methuen branch team visited a local supermarket to hand out free money to shoppers in celebration of the Kasasa rewards checking accounts. Methuen branch staff honored Kasasa’s superhero campaign by dressing in bright red superhero capes and heading to the Market Basket located at 70 Pleasant Valley Street in Methuen. The staff engaged with shoppers by telling them about the Kasasa rewards checking account and its incredible benefits, and then gave the shopper an envelope with a surprise cash value inside!
On Friday, April 22, MVCU teammates spent the night at Bridgewater State University to support the American Cancer Society’s annual Relay for Life fundraiser. This was the credit union’s first time participating in the Relay, and the team collectively raised $5,150 for the American Cancer Society. MVCU’s relay team was led by Team Captain Wendy Kuntz, a senior mortgage underwriter. Wendy, who has lost numerous family members and a lifelong friend to cancer, felt passionate about this cause and the opportunity to show support for those currently battling this disease.
Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) has been named as one of Boston Business Journal’s (BBJ) 2023 Best Places to Work. Out of the 300-plus businesses who were nominated, only 80 were selected overall. Businesses were ranked in small, medium, large and extra large categories, and MVCU was one of 20 medium-sized companies to receive the honor. For 21 years, the annual Best Places to Work program has recognized companies who have cultivated a great workplace culture for their employees. To be eligible for this honor, the company needs to have a minimum of 20 employees and have a physical office in Massachusetts.
What an exciting time it is for our credit union. Just a couple of weeks ago, we held our Special Meeting of members to vote for our proposed merger with RTN Federal Credit Union. After an exciting two days of connecting with members and colleagues, the final results came in and both MVCU and RTN members voted overwhelmingly in favor of the proposed merger. Now, the final hurdle that we need to clear is receiving approval from the Massachusetts Division of Banks, which is expected to occur by the end of April. I want to take this opportunity to thank all of our members for the support they have provided us throughout this process
One of the many missions of the Massachusetts-based Credit Unions Kids at Heart nonprofit organization is to raise money to support research on the incredibly rare Moyamoya disease. Learn more about the nonprofit’s efforts and how an Andover family was impacted by this neurological disease.
Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) sponsored Monday night’s community meal at the Haverhill Citizen Center on Welcome Street. Several MVCU teammates volunteered to help prepare and serve meals to dozens of community members. Every Monday, the nonprofit Community Meals, Inc. serves meals prepared by a local chef that are free and open to the public. Local organizations and businesses sponsor these weekly meals and provide volunteers. MVCU’s volunteers helped serve meatball subs, beverages and dessert to over 40 members of the Haverhill community.
The members of Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) and RTN Federal Credit Union (RTN) voted in favor of merging the two financial organizations this week, bringing them one step closer to creating one of the five largest credit unions in Massachusetts with more than $2.4 billion in assets. Members of both credit unions voted overwhelmingly in favor of the merger.
MVCU staff formed teams to support annual bowling and bocce events hosted by charitable organizations in the Merrimack Valley. These events offered great opportunities for connecting with our community and team bonding—with lots of camaraderie and competition!
The month of March brings some exciting things for the MVCU community. Just as the spring season marks new growth in the environment around us, we will celebrate important milestones as our proposed merger with RTN Federal Credit Union comes closer to fruition. All of the recent talk about merging makes me reflect on the rich history of mergers that has helped MVCU become the strong, community financial institution that it is today.
Celebrating an anniversary offers an opportunity to reflect, learn and look forward to the future. Whether it’s romantic or professional, one year or 30 years, pausing to appreciate important milestones helps connect us to the journey we have been on and the person we have become. This month, Deposit Operations Manager Wendi Fallon is celebrating 30 years working for Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU). When reflecting on her professional journey, it is the credit union’s community-focus and the special connections she has made with credit union members that have helped Wendi to thrive over the past three decades.
Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) and Methuen High School (MHS) teamed up for the fourth year to present the Credit for Life Fair to more than 300 graduating seniors on Friday, Feb. 17. “A solid financial foundation is so important for people, no matter how old or young,” said John J. Howard, president and CEO of MVCU. “As a community credit union, we seek out opportunities to provide financial education to community members. Working with Methuen High School on the Credit for Life Fair gives us the chance to talk to the students at a critical time in their lives: right before they’re about to start making significant financial decisions on their own.”
We’re already well into the second month of 2023, where does the time go? This February, I’ve found myself considering the things that I am passionate about, both inside and outside of the workplace. Of course, my family and my work are my most important priorities. But I also have an exciting passion that you may not know about: I love to travel. When I was young, my family rarely traveled—although this never stopped me from dreaming about the day that I could visit new and exciting places.
Life can take an unexpected turn at any time, sometimes turning joyful circumstances into frightening ones. Few people know this better than Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) member and Methuen native Bobby Cole and his family. In the fall of 2020, Cole and his wife, Tori, learned they were expecting their first child. The couple were thrilled, as were their families. Like most expectant parents, the Coles began to make space for the baby in their home and in their hearts. But in the early spring of 2021, when her pregnancy was 26 weeks along, Tori began to experience abdominal pain.
From budgeting to saving to investing to borrowing, keeping track of everything you need to be financially successful can be confusing in our ever-changing economy. Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) recognizes the challenges experienced by members and is excited to introduce LPL Financial and financial advisor, Chris Maynard. Chris has decades of experience in many sectors of the financial world, and a passion for helping others get the most out of their money.
Happy New Year! I’m excited to welcome you back to Member’s Edge. As we transition into 2023, there is so much to look forward to, including our proposed merger with RTN Federal Credit Union (pending member and regulatory approval). While merging with another credit union is an exciting endeavor, I understand that we all have concerns and questions when changes are proposed. So, I want to share a little bit about the history and benefits of merging credit unions.
What do you love about your local credit union branch? Is the atmosphere warm and inviting? Do you have a favorite teller that greets you each time you stop by? Is there convenient access to an ATM that accommodates your busy schedule? Whatever your reason may be, it takes a group of talented and hard-working teammates to make each branch a welcoming, community-focused environment. This is exactly what has been established at MVCU’s Haverhill branch led by Branch Manager Taveiry Brito. In this Behind-the-Scenes look at our Haverhill location, Taveiry gets candid about community, leadership and Haverhill’s unique interior design.
Many members have asked for an improved and seamless process for both receiving direct deposits and making electronic payments. We heard you! You are now able to set up payments from or direct deposits to any or all of your checking, savings, and/or club accounts. You get to decide where your money goes. To do that, we have added a unique ACH Account Number to most accounts. A small number of members may receive a letter from their merchant or employer verifying this new ACH Account Number. If you already have payments and deposits set up, you don’t have to do anything. To set up new payments or deposits, you will use your account’s new unique ACH Account Number.
Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) and Kasasa, an award-winning financial technology and marketing provider, announced the winner of the local “These Are My People” contest. Brittanie Ramirez of Lawrence, Mass. won $2,500 to help support human connection with her favorite people. “I was so surprised when I received the call that I won that I didn’t believe that it was true,” said Ramirez. “This money gives me the opportunity to give back to Beyond Soccer, an organization that I was part of growing up here in Lawrence and where I work now as a Coach Mentor.
Welcome back to Member’s Edge. Since the release of our last newsletter MVCU made a major announcement: RTN Federal Credit Union will be merging into Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU), pending member and regulatory approval. As your President & CEO, I am thrilled by the opportunities that will open because of this merger. This endeavor is just another step towards our goal of making MVCU the greatest place anyone has ever worked and the greatest place anyone has ever banked.
What does it mean to "grow up" in our credit union? How does starting your career while taking college courses affect your learning? These questions are answered in the story of Zobeida Duarte, one of MVCU's many female leaders who has found both growth and success in her nine-plus years here at MVCU. (And she's just getting started!)
Christmas trees! Santa! Presents! Snow! And… Harry Potter? MVCU members, teammates, and community members alike celebrated the holiday season with TWO wonderful parties in our Lawrence and Bridgewater offices. Check out this recap of our awesome holiday events!
To support children in need and spread cheer this holiday season, Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) held a toy drive at each of its ten branch locations. Each branch collected new, unwrapped toys to be donated to various organizations throughout Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire. To support as many children as possible throughout the credit union’s field of membership, MVCU donated toys to numerous organizations from Seabrook, NH, to Fairhaven.
On Monday, Dec. 5, Bridgewater Credit Union, a division of Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU), established a new community partnership with the Plymouth Public Library Foundation (PPLF), making a $10,000 donation that will support the foundation’s public events through the end of 2023, including its golf tournament, arts & crafts festival and the annual Taste of the Town. The partnership will also include the development of a free financial literacy program that MVCU will launch in conjunction with the Plymouth Public Library next year.
LAWRENCE, MA — In celebration of the season of giving, Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) is helping local families in need enjoy their Thanksgiving dinners with loved ones. This year, MVCU’s annual Thanksgiving Food Drive collected goods to support the Merrimack Valley Food Bank (MVFB). Taking place in early November, MVCU members and employees generously donated boxed, canned and non-perishable goods including stuffing, potatoes, cranberry sauce, peanut butter, hot cocoa and much more. The drive was held in MVCU’s Lawrence, Methuen, Haverhill, North Andover, Plaistow and Seabrook branch locations where, in total, MVCU collected a whopping 720 pounds of food for the MVFB.
I first want to welcome you to Member’s Edge, our expanded news section on mvcu.com. Here, you’ll enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at your credit union and the teammates who make Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) and Bridgewater Credit Union (BCU) wonderful places to work and bank. At MVCU and BCU, we consider ourselves a part of OneTeam; a team made up of many branches, many team members, and many members. We work together to support each other, and we’re all aligned towards the common goal of making this the best place anyone has ever worked or banked.
As you step inside Bridgewater Credit Union, A Division of Merrimack Valley Credit Union’s new Plymouth Branch, you’ll notice some elements that feel familiar and others that feel rather new. You are still welcomed by the friendly tellers of Plymouth’s previous location and enjoy the same services that all our branches provide. But this new space offers even more: a modern design with bright natural lighting and unique ties to the local community. Let’s go Behind-the-Scenes at BCU’s new branch for the story behind its unique look, and the manager who leads its team.
On Thursday, Nov. 3, Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) donated $30,000 to Emmaus, Inc., a homeless shelter in Haverhill, MA. This annual donation is a continuation of the support MVCU has provided the non-profit since 1994. MVCU is Emmaus' longest running and largest corporate partner, contributing over $500,000 to the non-profit over nearly three decades. Emmaus, Inc. is a non-profit organization that provides emergency shelter and affordable housing to families and individuals facing homelessness.
Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) hosted its annual Shred It Day on Saturday, September 10. During the event, which was held at MCVU’s North Andover and Plymouth branches, members of the credit union brought in old, unwanted documents to be shredded. MVCU Members travelled from throughout the Merrimack Valley, including Lawrence, Methuen and Haverhill, to visit the Andover branch.
On Wednesday, June 22, Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) awarded a total of $16,500 in scholarships to 15 high school students from New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Nina Tiani was the inaugural recipient of the Lisa Lewis Goodman Community Spirit Award of $2,500, and the other 14 recipients received $1,000 scholarships. Nine students were able to attend the scholarship presentation in person with their families, while two attended via Zoom.
Lawrence, Mass. (March 30, 2022) – For the first time since 2019, more than 200 Methuen High School seniors participated in a “Credit for Life” fair on Friday, March 25. Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) partnered with Methuen High School to present this opportunity for students to take a hands-on approach to budgeting and managing their money.
In honor of American Heart Month, Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) held a fundraiser throughout February to raise money for the American Heart Association. The MVCU branch team sold hearts for a minimum donation of $2.00 with MVCU employees also contributing, raising a total of $3,608.99.
LAWRENCE, MASS. — Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) revamped their account line up at the end of 2021 by adding two new rewards checking accounts: Kasasa Cash® and Kasasa Cash Back®. Rounding out the additions is the Kasasa Saver® account, a savings account that is paired with either of the Kasasa checking accounts. All of the new accounts are now available to new and existing members.