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North Augusta, SC - SRP Federal Credit Union held a press conference yesterday to celebrate over $1,000,000 in donations to Aiken County High Schools through the SRP High School Affinity Debit Card Program.

The Affinity Debit Card Program began in 2018 to assist participating area high schools with funding. Each participating high school designs its own card, and every time the card is used, the school receives a donation. The schools are free to use the funds any way they wish. These funds have been useful in the counties we serve, where funding has been used for various needs like computers, team uniforms, teacher certifications, student incentives, and more. 

Dr. Corey Murphy, Superintendent of Aiken County Public Schools, spoke at the event, stating, “Never in my history as a public-school administrator have we had such a lucrative partnership with any other outside organization, and the amount of funds raised here in such a short period of time is just phenomenal! This is a very tangible and great partnership.”

Many of the Aiken County high school principals were also in attendance to show their appreciation of the unrestricted funds provided through the program. Mr. Sheldon Higgenbottom, principal of Midland Valley High School, discussed how his school has made use of the funds over the past few years stating they had been able to upgrade the facility with desks and whiteboards, buy band and athletic uniforms, provide professional development for staff, purchase signs and banners, purchase student welfare items and more. Since the money from the program is unrestricted, schools may purchase items they feel are needed.

Mr. Eric Jenkins, CEO of SRP Federal Credit Union, thanked those who have supported the Aiken County schools through the program. “Special thanks to the 16,433 SRP member-owners who have chosen an SRP High School Affinity Debit Card with an Aiken County high school logo on it. They are the individuals who performed the transactions that allowed this more than $1,000,000 in funds to be donated.”

“SRP FCU is committed to creating value for its member-owners and to enhancing the communities in which we are privileged to serve. So much so, that we write those priorities into our strategic initiatives. This more than $1 Million milestone is tangible, real-life proof of our commitment.”

Pictured (Left to Right):Dr. Corey Murphey, Superintendent of Aiken County Public Schools, Mr. Eric Jenkins, CEO, SRP Federal Credit Union

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North Augusta, SC – SRP Federal Credit Union is pleased to announce the promotion of Mr. Nick Snellings, who was branch manager of our North Augusta branch, as the Director of Member Experience Continuous Improvements.

As the Director of Member Experience Continuous Improvements, Mr. Snelling’s primary responsibilities will be to drive team-member focused and process-based business transformation by creating consistent team member experiences and internal process improvement across all member servicing channels to include branch locations, the contact center, and the virtual experience department.

Mr. Snellings has worked in the financial industry for eighteen years. The various positions he has held prior to working at SRP FCU include the following: teller, teller manager, loan officer, mortgage loan officer, member service representative, assistant branch management. He has been at SRP for over two years as a branch manager.

He has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Business Management from Liberty University but is originally from the CSRA. He graduated from Greenbrier High School and currently lives in the Grovetown area.

“We have seen the passion Nick has for helping our member-owners achieve their financial goals as well as assisting team members grow in their roles at SRP,” states Eric Jenkins, CEO of SRP Federal Credit Union. “In his new role we look forward to seeing him make an even greater impact by finding ways to eliminate obstacles and to provide resources for team members, so they better serve our members.”

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When it comes to the security of your financial transactions, most of the focus these days is on online scams and theft—and rightly so. But it’s important not to let down your
guard at a physical location where your money or information could be vulnerable: ATMs.

The good news is that there are techniques you can utilize to help make ATM use safe
and problem-free. You can think of them collectively as The Five-S Plan:

Secure your information

It may seem more convenient to leave your ATM card on your desk at work or in the
glove box of your car, but anytime it’s not with you, it’s that much more susceptible
to falling into the wrong hands.

Security experts recommend never writing down your ATM PIN. Instead, if you’re
having problems remembering your current number, think of one you won’t forget
(like a particular date in your life) and contact your financial institution to make the
change.

It’s easy to panic when you lose your ATM card. But try to remember this calming
fact: your financial institution doesn’t want you to lose money either. So, whenever
you can’t find your card, reach out to them as soon as possible so they can help you
secure any accounts that may have been compromised.

When it comes to keeping your details safe, an excellent question to ask yourself is,
Does this person REALLY need that information? For example, Does this person on
the phone REALLY need my ATM card details? In general, it’s also a good practice to
avoid ever giving out your ATM or credit card information over the phone unless
you’re sure you’re speaking directly to your financial institution.

Remember, at SRP’s many ITM’s (Interactive Teller Machines) in Augusta, Ga., North Augusta and Aiken, SC you have the option to speak with one of SRP’s local tellers at the machine. Rather than choosing the ATM option, you choose the speak to a teller option. They can get other information from you if you have forgotten your PIN and still be able to perform your transaction using the teller. Learn more at www.srpfcu.org.

Select the right ATM

Your best bet is to use an ATM operated by your financial institution at a location
familiar to you. If this isn’t an option, try to choose a machine in a well-lit area not
obscured by trees, bushes, or other objects that could be used by a thief to hide
behind.

Speaking of well-lit areas, nighttime might not be the right time for your ATM
transaction. If possible, try to wait until the sun is up.

It’s wise to scan the area around the ATM when you arrive. If someone lurking nearby
doesn’t seem to have a particular purpose for being there, it might be in your best
interest to find a different ATM.

Safeguard yourself at the machine

Try to make ATM transactions with a family member or friend when possible.
Criminals are less likely to target someone who’s got a partner looking out for them.

If you’re using a drive-up ATM, keep your doors locked, windows rolled up, and the
engine running.

If someone is standing closer than you’d like while you use the ATM, cancel your
transaction, and find another machine to use. They might be trying to spy on your
PIN.

It’s natural to want to count your money after making a withdrawal, but doing so can give a crook an idea of how much money you took out wile providing them extra time to approach you with ill intent.

Take your receipt with you. While that little piece of paper doesn’t have all your
personal information, it does contain bits of data fraudsters can use to steal you identity.

Stay vigilant

After you’ve withdrawn money, survey the area around you again. If someone is
following you, head to the nearest place with people in or around it. As soon as
you’re close to other people, take out your phone and call the police.

It’s a good idea to monitor your online or paper statements for fraudulent
transactions regularly. Contact your financial institution if something doesn’t look
right.

Spot skimming scams

Skimmers are devices criminals attach to ATMs and other card-reading terminals to
harvest sensitive information and fraudulently access accounts. In 2021 alone, there were over 5,500 known instances of skimmers attached to ATMs in the United States. Your best method for fighting this sinister tactic is to stay on the lookout for these crude
electronic overlays. If you see an ATM that matches these descriptions, report it to the
machine’s owner and find another ATM to use.

• Loose plastic casing
• Misaligned pieces
• Sticky residue or tape
• Stiff buttons
• Wobbly keypad
• Cracked or damaged housing
• Oversized card slot
• Oddly colored plastic around the card slot
• Unusual on-screen instructions

While the above tips may make the threat of ATM crime seem scary, none of the
information is meant to alarm you. Ideally, it will help you feel less worried knowing
you’ve taken the necessary precautions to secure yourself and your information.

If you are a member at SRP Federal Credit Union you will find over fifty ATMs or ITMs at your disposal throughout the CSRA for your banking convenience.

This article is for informational purposes only. Membership required. SRP is federally insured by NCUA.

Article Credit: Balance

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North Augusta, SC - SRP Federal Credit Union recently held a graduating ceremony for twenty team members who completed our inaugural Emerging Leaders program. The team members attended classes once every two weeks for sixteen weeks and completed the program with a presentation at the graduation ceremony.

The SRP Emerging Leaders program, featuring Dr. Tony Robinson, is a program designed to develop the full potential of future leaders at SRP. It is an employee development effort that will also help create an organizational leadership pipeline for the continued success and growth of SRP. This program helps create an ensemble of future leaders by identifying and cultivating leadership skills in high-potential team members. It also helps improve employee engagement, subsequent employee retention, and should positively impact member satisfaction and organizational performance.

“Our inaugural Emerging Leaders class has done an exceptional job enhancing their leadership potential and establishing future goals for their professional journeys,” says Eric Jenkins, CEO of SRP FCU. “Developing outstanding team members is key to our institution's strength and creating value for our member-owners.”

Emerging Leadership Graduates are as follows:

• Jenna Adams, Front-Line Service Supervisor, Davis Rd. branch
• Stacy Barron, Card Specialist II, Card Services
• Andrew Buckner, Member Service Specialist II, North Belair Rd. branch
• Yesenia Cruz, Mortgage Closer III, Mortgage
• Stephanie DeLaughter, HR Generalist I, Human Resources
• Jackie Cira, Mortgage Processor II, Mortgage
• Keri Fain, Front-Line Service Supervisor, Thomson branch
• Sandy Goodwin, ELD Specialist III, Education III, Learning and Development
• Catasa Hammond, Teller II, Rutland Drive branch
• Kendrell Germany, Systems Engineer II, IT
• Jennifer Holston, Member Service Representative III, Burnettown branch
• Stephen Holt, Contact Center Supervisor, Contact Center
• Jazmen McCord, Central Lending Agent II, Centralized Lending
• Joshua McDay, Contact Center Supervisor, Contact Center
• Jeanene Minard, Member Service Representative II, North Augusta branch
• Robin Missildine, System Administrator III, IT Systems Administration
• Drew Morrison, System Administrator II, IT Systems Administration
• Hollie Roberts, Quality Control Specialist, Consumer Loan Operations
• Julie Stacks, Mortgage Closer II, Mortgage
• Amy Thompson, Member Service Representative III, Graniteville branch

Photo: Graduating Emerging Leaders Class with SRP CEO, Eric Jenkins

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North Augusta, SC - SRP Federal Credit Union is thrilled to announce the addition of Richmond County public schools to our High School Affinity Debit Card program.

The Affinity School Debit Card Program began in 2018 to assist participating area high schools with funding. Each participating high school designs its own card, and every time the card is used, the school receives a donation. The schools are free to use the funds any way they wish, and they receive payments quarterly. These payments have been useful in the counties we serve, where funding has been used for various needs like computers, team uniforms, teacher certifications, incentives for students to improve their grades, and more. 

Richmond County joins Aiken, Barnwell, Burke, and Columbia County’s public schools as well as a number of private and charter schools who are part of the program.

“It is always exciting to have schools join the High School Affinity Debit Card program. It is a wonderful way for our members to raise funds for their high school of choice simply by using their High School Affinity Debit card,” states Eric Jenkins, CEO of SRP FCU. “Since the inception of the program in 2018, SRP has given almost $2,000,000 to schools in our community. We look forward to working with the Richmond County school system to quickly grow the program and start providing financial support to the high schools.”