From left: Kelly Miller, senior member service representative; Anna Shaw, member service representative; Seaman Brandon Galvan, 13-millionth member, Pamela Ackerland, branch manager; Jamie Linfoot, senior member service representative and AnnMarie DiMeglio, member service representative.
Credit/Navy Federal
When U.S. Navy Seaman Brandon Galvan went into Navy Federal Credit Union's Panama City, Fla., branch to open an account earlier this month, he was met with a surprise that he'll probably never forget.
Galvan became the 13 millionth member of the world's largest financial cooperative, which is marking its 90th year of service. The credit union was founded by seven Navy Department employees in 1933 during the Great Depression when thousands of banks failed.
"This is my first duty station and I thought it would be a good idea to open an account with Navy Federal. I'm so glad I did," Galvan in a prepared statement. He is stationed aboard Naval Support Activity (NSA) in Panama City.
Galvan received a thank-you card and a gift bag.
"It was an honor to have our 13th millionth member sign up here at our branch aboard NSA Panama City," Navy Federal Branch Manager Pamela Ackerland said in a prepared statement. "To know that we were this military member's trusted choice to help guide his future financial goals makes us all working at this branch location beam with pride. I love the fact we get to serve those who serve our country."
Over the last five years, Navy Federal has added about one million members annually on average.
In celebration of its nine decades of service, Navy Federal has partnered with nine military-focused nonprofit chapters to champion their communities by donating $10,000 grants to global and local organizations.
National beneficiaries of Navy Federal's 90th Anniversary Give Back include the Air Force Aid Society, Army Emergency Relief, the Coast Guard Foundation and the Navy-Marine Corp Relief Society.
The credit union is also focusing on local causes near its campus locations across Florida, Virginia and California to strengthen its impact in communities where team members volunteer their time, as well as support the specific needs of resident military families.
The organizations include the Armed Services YMCA of San Diego, the Northern Shenandoah Valley Community Veterans Engagement Board, the Pensacola Habitat for Humanity Veterans Build Program and the Easterseals DMB Military Family Clinic Program.
With 166 branches on or near military instillations and 26 international locations, Navy Federal is also donating $10,000 to overseas services for the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society. Team members in Okinawa, Japan are closely connected to the nonprofit's local chapter to support servicemembers stationed overseas.
"Service has been at the heart of our organization for 90 years, and we're proud to go beyond banking to support military communities through nonprofit partnerships that share our values," Navy Federal President/CEO Mary McDuffie said in a prepared statement.
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