OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Credit Union League is getting good results from its linkup with consumer credit counseling services, and now the League Foundation has agreed to increase financial donations to two state CCS agencies. “Right now we have 51 members representing 21 credit unions in the Oklahoma City area and 39 members representing 16 credit unions in the Tulsa area going through the program,” said Richard Del Sesto, vice president of the League and assistant treasurer of the two-year old Oklahoma Credit Union Foundation. Last December the Foundation made its first one-year contribution of $10,000 to the two CCS agencies, Credit Counseling Services of Central Oklahoma and Consumer Credit Counseling Centers of Tulsa, and last month directors voted unanimously to add $3,500 in grants. Among state leagues, the practice of giving directly to CCS is a bit unusual but represents initial steps at supporting CU members following the Foundation's formation in 2003. The Foundation's first gift of $8,000 was to aid victims of devastating Oklahoma City tornadoes. Regarding CCS, the League said it encourages CUs to use agency services as a means to help members “become debt free.” Del Sesto noted that the Foundation continues to receive strong financial backing from “our credit union family in Oklahoma” and in particular cited a generous $10,000 grant from Tinker Federal Credit Union of Oklahoma City. “Last year Municipal Employees Credit Union donated half of the proceeds – about $15,000 – from their golf tournament, ” said Del Sesto. In addition, a number of CUs invested in the Community Investment Fund of which a portion of interest from those investments helps fund the Foundation. Recently the Foundation also made grants to Oil Capital Community Credit Union and to Mid West City CU to purchase computer hardware and software. “ We are looking to fund a program dealing with financial literacy at two colleges,” concluded Del Sesto. -

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