Vermont Federal Credit Union president announces retirement

VERMONT FEDERAL PRESIDENT ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT PLANS AT 55th ANNUAL MEETING
Burlington, VT. - July 8, 2008 - At the 55th Annual Meeting & Gala of Vermont Federal Credit Union, which took place on Saturday, April 12th, at UVM's Dudley Davis Center, President and Chief Executive Officer Joseph M. Finnigan announced his retirement, effective March, 2009. Finnigan will remain on as treasurer of the credit union board of directors through at least his full term which commences in 2010. An active search is underway for his successor.
Since joining VTFCU, Joe has worked to expand the credit union scope from an employee group organization serving U.S. government employees to the now, community-based charter with six branches, serving six counties throughout northern Vermont. During his 30 plus-year tenure as CEO, he grew the credit union from a $1.5 million asset credit union to the 4th largest credit union in Vermont with $215M in assets and over 25,000 members. He has led the launch of the credit union's online banking products, its premiere high-yield ReWARD Checking account, and the development of new markets through both mergers as well as charter expansion. He has encouraged the active involvement of VTFCU and its employees in community affairs through human and financial resources to United Way, March of Dimes, American Cancer Society, Vermont Children's Aid Society and other local area nonprofits.
Joseph Finnigan began his credit union career in 1978, after 6 years with the Internal Revenue Service, and has been highly engaged in many industry and community organizations since then. He is currently serving on the Credit Union Advisory Panel for CUNA Mutual Group and the National Credit Union Legislation Action Council (CULAC) Board of Trustees. He is completing his 4th term as a director and chairman of TriCorp Federal Credit Union and he also served on the New England Credit Union Heritage Foundation Board of Directors. In 1999, Joe was nominated for Director of the Year for CUES Directors Educational Forum, and in 2005 he was inducted into the Credit Union Executives Society's Hall of Fame. He has been active on various community boards including the Vermont Children's Aid Society, the Jimmy Fund Council, through the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Y Time Children's Center. In 2007, Joe joined statewide credit union leaders when the Association of Vermont Credit Unions (AVCU) and Nacional de Cooperativas de Ahorro y Crédito del Perú(FENACREP) signed a World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) International Partnership agreement in Lima, Peru. WOCCU's International Partnerships program facilitates networking experiences between developed and developing credit union movements through delegation visits, meetings, internships and volunteer assignments.
At the meeting where Joe's announcement was made, Vermont Federal Credit Union Board Chairman, Curran "Spike" Robinson, expressed his gratitude for Joe's devotion and contributions to the credit union, "While we know they are big shoes to fill, we are dedicated to doing so. We have the strength in this organization, from board and committee members, from staff and volunteers, and with the guidance Joe has provided, to continue on the path that has already been forged and to make Vermont Federal a place where everyone is proud to be a member."
VTFCU is a $215 million plus financial institution, currently serving over 25,000 members. Vermont Federal Credit Union provides membership to anyone who lives, works, worships or attends school in Chittenden, Grand Isle, Lamoille, Franklin, Washington, or Addison Counties in Vermont.
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