Success Federal Credit Union of Blytheville received a dose of media love courtesy of Forbes, which named it the best credit union in Arkansas on June 24.
“We didn’t seek it out and are as surprised as everybody else,” said CEO Sherry Gray. “We’re a very humble, small organization. It makes us so proud of our members being surveyed and giving us such high marks. It was a nice honor that reflects well on our board of directors who are all volunteers.”
Forbes surveyed nearly 25,000 credit union customers across the nation who scored lenders on overall recommendations and satisfaction, as well as trust, terms and conditions, branch services, digital services and financial advice.
Formed in 1959 to serve military families at the Blytheville/Eaker Air Force Base, the lender later merged with credit unions in Jonesboro at Arkansas State University and St. Bernards Medical Center. Along the way, membership at the $174 million-asset lender has grown to more than 26,000, and Northeast Arkansas Federal Credit Union was rebranded as Success in 2019.
“Probably what sets us apart is our model,” Gray said. “We focus on consumer lending and don’t do business loans. We also don’t hesitate to make loans that don’t quite fit in a box.
“We’ll still make a $500 loan. We recently made a loan like that to a young couple who had been turned down elsewhere. They had a newborn and needed to repair an air conditioner.”
Success turned a $488,917 profit during the first quarter after generating net income of more than $1.3 million last year.
In addition to Blytheville, the credit union operates offices in Jonesboro and Paragould along with drive-through facilities in Forrest City and Gosnell.
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