As The Finest FCU celebrated the fifth anniversary of its founding last week, Keith Stone, president/CEO, took some time to send William J. Mellin, New York Credit Union Association president/CEO, a note of thanks.

“I just wanted to send you a note of gratitude thanking you for your support and guidance of The Finest Federal Credit Union,” Stone wrote, saying that on May 13, the credit union celebrated five years and “couldn’t have done it” without the Association’s assistance.

“We are now 5,000 members strong with assets of $14 million,” Stone said. “More importantly, we have been helping our members with great services that they were unable to obtain elsewhere and we do it with lower (or no) fees, more convenience and go above and beyond the typical banking relationship.”

The milestone is noteworthy, considering that The Finest FCU is the only financial institution in New York state that is chartered specifically to serve the needs of all law enforcement personnel (uniform and civilian), retirees and family members.

Chartered in 2015, the Manhattan-based credit union evolved from the vision of a group of retired New York Police Department officers who believed their fellow officers should receive the best financial services in the marketplace and services tailored to the specific needs of the law enforcement community and affiliated departments.

The Finest FCU provides tailored services to its members, including filling a market void by providing dedicated, personalized and diverse financial services to law enforcement, such as offering services including the “From Rookie through Retirement Program” and services from “paperwork day” to retirement and beyond.

The credit union also offers unique and groundbreaking benefits to members, including The Finest Loan Forgiveness Program for members killed in the line of duty, and college scholarships for children of members killed in the line of duty, along with free financial services for life for remaining family members.