Winter 2025 RRCU Chronicle

Winter 2024 CEO Report

Dear Members,

As we approach the end of another year, I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible journey we’ve shared in 2024. This year has been filled with growth, community spirit, and a renewed commitment to serving you, our valued members.

Reflecting on 2024:

• Community Impact: This was the inaugural year of RRCU Gives, Red River’s foundation that supports housing, hunger, and financial education.  Our goal is to have RRCU Gives support many of the non-profits in need in our vast branch network through donations from employees, members, and businesses.  Giving back to our communities is an important core value of our credit union.
• Financial Growth: Red River has had another solid year financially.  Our emphasis continues to be on offering you great products and services in all your stages of life and do it with a smile. With so much cybercrime, we also continue to invest heavily in keeping your money safe.
• Member Stories: We’ve heard countless stories of how our services have helped you achieve your financial goals. These stories inspire us to continue improving and innovating.

Looking Ahead to 2025:

• New Services: Red River is in the midst of a core conversion, which is our software that keeps track of all of your loans, deposits and other financial information.  This new technology will allow us to serve you more efficiently and make your experience conducting business even better whether in person, electronically, or phone . More information on this will be coming after the beginning of the year.
• Community Engagement: Our commitment to the community remains strong and will only grow. We know how important giving back is, and outreach will always be one of our core values. We will also continue to promote Financial Literacy to local schools as well as online and within our app.

As we celebrate this festive season, on behalf of our board and valued employees, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for your continued trust and loyalty. Your support makes everything we do possible. and I wish you and your loved ones a joyous holiday season and a prosperous New Year.

Warmest regards,
Brad Bailey
President/CEO 

New Branch in Idabel, OK

Our newest branch is open in Idabel, OK! The branch opened on December 18, 2024.

Visit us at 1926 SE Washington, Idabel OK 74745 and get to know Branch Manager, Brooke Hankins and staff for all your financial needs.

Get the Most out of Teal Advantage!

If you haven't signed up for the Teal Advantage account, what are you waiting for? 

Teal Advantage Benefits:

• Loan Relationship Pricing¹
• Telehealth² – With 24/7 video or phone access with zero copays. (registration/activation required.)
• Identity Theft Monitoring and Resolution Services³ – With Theft Expense Reimbursement Coverage5, Comprehensive Identity Theft Resolution Services, Identity Monitoring, Dark Web Monitoring, and Social Media Monitoring.
• Cell Phone Protection³ – For replacement or repair costs if your cell phone is stolen or damaged with a low $50 deductible

For benefit details, and more, go to Teal Advantage | Red River Credit Union, visit your local branch or call 903-735-3000.

¹ Teal Advantage Account Owners are eligible for a 0.25% discount on the then current annual percentage rate (APR) for closed-end consumer loans obtained after account opening, provided direct deposits totaling at least $1,000 have been posted to the membership within the 62 days prior to the date of loan application submission. To receive the discount, the primary borrower must be an owner on an open Teal Advantage Account. Teal Advantage Account ownership does not guarantee loan approval. Discount does not apply to mortgage loans.
² Available for the account holder and their spouse/domestic partner and up to six (6) dependent children ages 2 and older. This is not insurance.
³ Special Program Notes: The descriptions herein are summaries only and do not include all terms, conditions and exclusions of the Benefits described. Please refer to the actual Guide to Benefit for complete details of coverage and exclusions. Coverage is provided through the company named in the Guide to Benefit. Guide to Benefit can be found online at RRCU.ClubChecking.com. Insurance Products are not insured by the NCUA or any Federal Government Agency; not a deposit of or guaranteed by the credit union or credit union affiliate.

Life Insurance with RRCU Financial Services

As winter sets in, it’s the perfect time to prioritize your family’s financial security. Life insurance provides peace of mind, offering financial protection for your loved ones in times of need.

Why Consider Life Insurance?

• Protects your family’s financial future.
• Covers expenses like debts, education, and everyday costs.
• Offers long-term peace of mind and estate planning benefits.

At RRCU Financial Services, we offer flexible life insurance options tailored to your needs, from short-term coverage to lifelong protection.

Start the New Year Secure
Take this opportunity to review your financial plan. Let us help you find the right life insurance solution for your goals and budget.

Contact Us Today!
903-735-3132
Secure your family’s future—let’s plan together!

Let Your Friends Know About RRCU

It’s a great time to 
Refer Friends and Both Earn $100 Incentive Cards1
(Up to $500 per year)

What Do You Do?
Members, CLICK HERE to get started or ask an RRCU associate to help you refer someone you know, anywhere in the United States. You'll need their email address.

What Do They Do?
Each person you refer will receive an email to get them qualified, which includes:

• Register with ReferLive (Unique link provided in the email)
• Open a new RRCU personal checking account (Basic or Teal Advantage)
• Complete at least two Direct Deposits totaling $500 or more within 65 days

It’s that easy!    

When your friend completes the requirements within 65 days, you both will be mailed a $100 Visa® Incentive Card!

1-Terms & Conditions apply and are available at RRCU.com/refer or upon request at your local RRCU branch.
Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery of your Incentive Card after completing all offer requirements.
ReferLive is a trademark of CustomerStream, LLC.

Board of Directors Nominees

JAMES (MIKE) JONES - Member for 51 years; retired Pharmacist.  Mr. Jones has 50 years’ experience in pharmacy and management as a Pharmacist at Christus St. Michael Health System for a total of 27 years; he held the position of Pharmacist-in-Charge for 6 years.  Mr. Jones has worked with governmental affairs and held various positions such as Ward 5 Director for the Texarkana Board of Directors for 6 1/2 years and served as Assistant Mayor for 4 years.  Mr. Jones served on the Intergovernmental Affairs Committee for 6 1/2 years and oversaw the Bi-State Justice operations where the committee was responsible for operations, budget, and other duties.  Mr. Jones holds a Master of Science in Business Administration (MSBA) from East Texas State University, Texarkana, TX (Texas A&M University, Texarkana) and a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy (BSPha) from the University of Houston in Houston, Texas.  Mr. Jones is an active church member and supports charitable and community organizations.    Mr. Jones and his wife, Jennie, live in Texarkana, AR and have one daughter Julie.

ANNETTE LYNCH - Member for 50 years; Board of Directors for seven years, retired from Red River Army Depot where she worked for over 37 years specializing in data and information management.  Mrs. Lynch served in various positions including Logistics Management Specialist, Information Technology Specialist, Lead Systems Analyst, and as a Supervisor in Data Management.  She recommended and implemented business process improvements and received numerous acknowledgements and awards throughout her career.  Mrs. Lynch has a broad range of knowledge and understanding of business processes, data analysis, and information security, and holds a Bachelors in Applied Arts and Science (BAAS) from East Texas State University - Texarkana (TAMU-T), an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Data Processing from Texarkana College, and CompTIA Security+ Certification for principles of network security and risk management.

ROBERT SHEPPARD - Member for 42 years, began his service with Red River Credit Union in 1991, has served as Chairman, and is currently Vice-Chairman.  Mr. Sheppard serves on the Bowie Central Appraisal District and has formerly served on the Pleasant Grove Independent School District, the Texas Association of School Boards, Director of the Methodist Retirement Communities, Director of Cornerstone Retirement Community, and Director of Bunch Woodview Center. Robert and his wife, Sharon, live in Texarkana, Texas, and have one son, Jon, daughter-in-law, Renee, a grandson, Myers, and twin granddaughters, Alex, and Marian. Robert and Sharon are members of Williams Memorial United Methodist Church, where he teaches an adult Sunday School Class.

Mortgage Lending: New Year, New Home?

With RRCU’s mortgage loan products, buying or building a new home can be easier than you think!

Down Payment Assistance:
The “Help Grant” becomes available January 1. This grant provides up to $20,000 for qualified members (based on income and first-time homebuyer status). These funds can be used for the down payment and/or closing costs for first-time homebuyers whose income falls at or below the area median income for their county.

Home Equity Lending:
Take advantage of the equity you have in your home for home improvements, debt consolidation, etc. Both 1st and 2nd liens are available. Contact one of our loan officers for more information!

Construction Financing:
RRCU’s construction financing options offer a one-time close product that saves you on closing costs by consolidating both construction and permanent financing into one loan. We allow 12 months for construction and then modify it into a permanent loan when construction is complete. If you are planning on building a new home in 2025, come see one of our loan officers to answer specific questions and help arrange the financing of your dream home!

Contact us today:
Email: MortgageDept@rrcu.com
Phone: 903-735-3003

Commercial Services: New Year's Resolutions for your Business?

With RRCU’s Commercial Services, operating your business has never been easier! 

Bills and Get Paid
Send invoices and receive payments all from your RRCU online account. Autobooks has the tools to create a professional invoice and send to your customers in minutes. With the tap-to-pay option, your customers can pay their invoice using debit or credit card, depositing directly into your commercial checking account.

Simplify Payroll
Managing payroll can take time away from growing your business. Make payday a breeze with RRCU’s Commercial ACH Control. No longer will you need to print paper checks. With direct deposit, money is deposited into employee accounts electronically on your payday. 

Point of Sale Solutions
Get more done than ever before with card payments, cash, and ApplePay Point of Sale systems. Manage your business, create reports, and make a sale from anywhere using Clover’s mobile app and virtual terminal technologies.  Take your business online with Clover’s eCommerce capabilities.

Lending*
Outgrown your office space? Need a new vehicle or equipment? Contact a member of the lending team to discuss our commercial lending suite of products. From commercial real estate to auto and equipment, line of credits, and much more, let RRCU kickstart your new year.

Contact us today: CommercialServices@rrcu.com or 903-735-3000.

*With approved credit.

How to Spot Fraud and Protect Yourself

Fraud is on the rise, with spam texts accounting for 58% of scam activity in 2022 and consumers losing $10 billion to fraud in 2023 (https://techreport.com/). Scammers use evolving tactics like smishing (fraudulent texts), phishing (emails with suspicious links), vishing (impersonation calls), and social media or e-commerce scams to deceive individuals and businesses.

What to Look For:

• Urgent texts or emails with links or threats.
• Impersonation calls from "legitimate" companies like the IRS.
• Fake websites or social media profiles.

How to Avoid Fraud:

• Verify senders, links, and contact info. Hover over links to check validity.
• Use strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication (2FA).
• Monitor accounts for unusual activity and set up transaction alerts.
• Avoid public Wi-Fi for sensitive tasks and keep devices secure with antivirus software.

Stay Alert:
Be cautious of job offers, online relationships, or investments that involve moving money. Protect your information and verify legitimacy before acting. Click here for more!

Community Corner

2024 Awards

We are excited about the recognition and support for RRCU and the following branches: 

• Texarkana Gazette Readers' Choice 2024 - "Best Credit Union"
• ALT Magazine's Readers' Choice 2024 - "Best Credit Union"
• Bowie County Citizens Tribune Readers' Choice 2024 "Best Credit Union"