In the latest New York Minute, we’re celebrating charitable giving and holiday cheer from credit unions across New York state! Then, hear industry insights from the experts at TruStage and InfoSight360. Get this week’s credit union updates in our blog!
Sunmark Credit Union Announces ICU Day Award Recipients
Sunmark Credit Union celebrated the spirit of International Credit Union Day by recognizing outstanding ICU Award honorees—individuals and organizations who exemplify the credit union philosophy of people helping people. Through the Sunmark Charitable Community Foundation, now in its seventh year of hosting the ICU Day Awards, two individuals and four nonprofits were selected for their meaningful contributions to local communities.
People Helping People Award recipients each receive a Foundation donation to support their mission:
The Susan V. Siegel Community Service Leader Award was presented to Seth Harris, an educator whose work continues to create enriching experiences for children. The “It’s Cool to Be Kind” Student Award went to Shreya Sharath for founding GleeBoxx, a student-led initiative providing thoughtful care packages to those in need.
Thank you to Sunmark for their generous donations, and to these honorees, who represent the credit union mission of people helping people every day!
Sidney FCU Supports Hunger Relief Through “Open an Account, Open a Table” Initiative
This holiday season, Sidney Federal Credit Union is turning everyday banking into community impact through its “Open an Account, Open a Table” initiative. Thanks to members who opened new SFCU checking accounts, the credit union has already contributed to four organizations dedicated to supporting families facing food insecurity:
- Samaritan Center (Onondaga County)
- Catholic Charities of Delaware, Otsego & Schoharie Counties
- Catholic Charities of Fulton & Montgomery Counties
- United Way Mid-Rural New York
Each account opened directly fueled donations, helping provide warm meals, holiday comfort, and hope to households across the region. SFCU staff personally visited each organization to deliver contributions and learn more about their work. Join us in celebrating Sidney FCU for making the holidays brighter for neighbors who need it most.
Visions FCU Spreads Cheer to Veterans and Service Members
Visions Federal Credit Union continued its tradition of seasonal giving with this year’s Treats for Troops initiative, an effort focused on uplifting service members and veterans across the communities Visions serves. Through a strong partnership with local organizations and generous participation from members and neighbors, the initiative made a significant impact.
Together, volunteers collected approximately 400 pounds of donated candy and wrote more than 400 heartfelt cards, each one offering appreciation, encouragement, and comfort to active-duty military and veterans throughout Central New York, the Southern Tier, and New Jersey.
The Treats for Troops initiative is another example of how Visions FCU leads with gratitude, especially during the holiday season.
From TruStage: AI Is Changing the Game. Is Your Credit Union Ready to Play?
Artificial intelligence (AI) is being used to enable decisions, provide products and services, and carry out key functions and transactions. AI is also becoming more integrated into your processes and the practices used and followed by your vendor partners.
However, AI isn’t perfect. You need to be aware of security, privacy, and ethical practices as it relates to how AI is being used. And, not surprisingly, not everyone is using AI for good intentions – for example, bad actors are now using deepfakes – highly realistic synthetic AI media – to enhance phishing and vishing at a higher frequency to defraud financial institutions, your employees, and even your members.
As AI becomes more prevalent, so also should your AI governance. Check out this TruStage Artificial Intelligence Risk Overview to consider the potential risks, challenges, and proactive practices to better safeguard your organization.
For more insights on AI, deepfakes, and other emerging risks, you can also go to www.trustage.com/emerging-risk.
From InfoSight360: Getting Ready for Year-End!
Have you taken the first step in making your compliance journey smoother? Registering for your InfoSight360 account is like opening the door to a whole new world of support and resources. With this account, you can easily access tools that help you stay on top of all the rules and regulations that come your way. It’s like having a guide by your side, ensuring that you’re ready for whatever challenges the new year may bring. Don’t wait too long; getting started now can make all the difference later!
As you prepare for the year ahead, think about how InfoSight360’s flagship products can make your life easier. InfoSight, CU PolicyPro, and RecoveryPro are designed to tackle different aspects of compliance, making sure you have everything you need at your fingertips. Plus, with our new Learning Management System (LMS), you can ensure you and your team are always in the know. These tools are here to help you breeze through the compliance process!
Let’s leave the challenges of 2025 behind and step into a brighter, more organized future. With the right resources and support, you can focus on what truly matters: serving your community and achieving your goals. Compliance doesn’t have to be a headache. Instead, it can be a straightforward part of your daily routine, thanks to InfoSight360. So, get ready to embrace a year filled with clarity, confidence, and success! Learn more at InfoSight360.
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