HEW Federal Credit Union Hosts its Inaugural Financial Fitness Day in Southeast Washington, D.C. to Build Awareness and Financial Literacy

4/28/2004

Alexandria, Virginia April 28, 2004   With bright sunshine and clear blue skies, HEW Federal Credit Union launched its expansion into Washington, D.C. with its inaugural Financial Fitness Day on Saturday April 24^th. In attendance were D.C. Councilman Kevin P. Chavous, representatives from the Mayor's office, as well as local civic, religious and business leaders. Throughout the picture-perfect day, residents of Ward 7 enjoyed food, entertainment, rides for the children, and received vital financial information at each of the "10 Steps to Financial Fitness". The Credit Union presented the plethora of financial services and choices they will be bringing to Southeast D.C. and dozens of local residents took the opportunity to join the credit union at the four-hour event. HEWFCU is looking to locate in the Penn Branch community, the site of the April 24^th event. 
 
During his speech, Councilman Chavous spoke of his desire to bring HEW Federal Credit Union to the neighborhood, about the importance of Financial Literacy for the residents of his Ward, and how a credit union, like HEWFCU, will bring fair and affordable financial solutions to the Southeast community, which he feels has been sorely in need of these types of choices for a long time. He praised HEWFCU for their diligence and commitment to serving the area east of the river, and for their efforts to bring financial education and community events to the area, as well as for their effort to be a part of the community.
 
HEW Federal Credit Union (HEWFCU), a credit union founded in 1936 to serve employees of the Social Security Board, is expanding its presence in Washington, D.C. and looks forward to serving many of Washington's residents and workers, especially those east of the river. According to the November 2003 approval of the National Credit Union Administration, HEW Federal Credit Union may now extend membership to and serve anyone who lives, works, worships, or attends school in Washington, D.C. as part of its efforts to provide additional choices for individuals in "underserved" or "unbanked" areas.
 
HEWFCU currently serves the employees of the former government agency known as Health, Education and Welfare, (which was replaced in 1978 by the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Education, and the Social Security Administration) as well as dozens of companies and educational institutions in metropolitan Washington, D.C., as well as Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It's branches are located in Washington, D.C. (200 Independence Avenue SW), Falls Church, VA, Forestville, MD, and Philadelphia, PA. The Credit Union plans to open its first branch in the Penn Branch area in the coming months and worked with Councilmember Kevin P. Chavous and his staff to orchestrate its Financial Fitness Day. 
 
HEWFCU is looking forward to bringing a full array of financial services and financial education programs to the various communities east of the river and the greater Washington, D.C. area and putting the credit union philosophy of  "people helping people" into practice there. In its research of the District of Columbia market in preparation of its NCUA application, HEWFCU found many neighborhoods and their residents were sorely in need of competitive and "member friendly" loans and other financial services. "For well over a decade, HEWFCU has wanted to expand its presence in Washington, D.C. and bring financial guidance and choices to ALL of Washington, D.C.," said Patricia J. Ellis, Chairman of the Board of HEWFCU, "What does all of this mean for you, our friends in the Southeastern Wards of Washington?"  Ellis answered, "Basically, it means three things " 1. You can join our Credit Union today 2. We will be bringing a lot of new services and options to the neighborhood and 3. You can expect to see us grow our presence , here and throughout D.C. in the next few years."

Contact Information
Brian O'Sullivan
Marketing Director
HEW Federal Credit Union
202.488.5400 ext. 7067
[email protected]