Navy FCU's low income efforts: How is the world's largest CU doing in serving low income members?

<p>At the meeting, Navy Federal presented NCUA Board Member Deborah Matz with a report documenting Navy FCU’s low-income efforts. The report not only highlighted statistics, but also specific Navy FCU programs aimed at assisting its lowest income members. Members with under $40,000 in income use a higher proportion of its services, Navy Federal reported, averaging 2.88 products and services per member versus 2.24 for the membership at large, according to the report. “Navy Federal households with incomes under $40,000 average 2.97 products and services accessed via an average 1.61 channels [ATM, telephone etc] compared to a total household average of 3.10 products and services accessed via 1.45 channels,” the credit union reported. “Clearly we are providing the products and services needed by our low and moderate income members and they are taking advantage of them – at a higher cost to us due to their greater channel use,” the report said. The report emphasized as well that over 175,000 of the share draft accounts of members making less than $40,000 ended the month with a balance of less than $100. Over 120,000 ended with a balance less than $10, the credit union said. Programs for lower income members of which the credit union is “especially proud” according to the report include: Fee-free budget counseling and Consumer Credit Counseling. A moderate-income car loan program A utility deposit guarantee program Special home mortgage loan programs for members who are first time home buyers.</p>