1st Advantage Federal Credit Union

In honor of 1st Advantage’s 60th Anniversary we thought we would share 60 fun facts about your favorite community credit union.

1. We collected and donated over 1 ton of newspaper to the Peninsula SPCA in 2011.
2. One year baby skunks were born under our Fort Eustis branch.
3. We have over 65,000 fee free ATMs nationwide (more than Bank of America and Wells Fargo combined)
4. The credit union started out with $500 in a cigar box.
5. The first color television pictures were broadcast the same year 1st Advantage was founded.
6. We changed our name from Fort Eustis Federal Credit Union to 1st Advantage Federal Credit Union in 1996.
7. 85% of the credit union’s 180 employees are women.
8. We celebrated our 60th anniversary on Sept 20, 2011.
9. Every year since 2008 1A colleague have volunteer their time on Columbus Day to non-profit organizations, this tradition is referred to as 1st A.I.D.E. Day.
10. Some 1st Advantage branches participate in a shared branch network and members of other credit unions can use the branches to conduct transactions on their accounts.
11. Our CEO, Casey Duplantier, has served 1A for over 24 years and will retire Jan 2012.
12. Our CFO, Trudy Parks, has served 1A for over 41 years and will retire Jan 2012.
13. Fort Eustis Federal Credit Union merged with McGuire VA Employees Federal Credit Union in March 1993, making McGuire our 6th branch.
14. Every year 1A awards $10,000 in scholarships to deserving students.
15. Our Yorktown headquarters and branch location was discovered over a discussion during a Thanksgiving Boy Scout camping trip.
16. In 2011, we won the Datatrac Great Rate Award, which means our rates save our members at least 25% on auto loans compared to the area average.
17. In honor of our 60th anniversary we donated $60,000 to 6 different local non-profit organizations.
18. Our first Williamsburg branch was a storefront off of Monticello Avenue near the old Williamsburg Community Hospital.
19. Starting in 2005 we opened 4 branches in a 24 month period.
20. 1A colleagues donated over 1500 volunteer hours to help the victims of Katrina in New Orleans, LA.
21. 1st Advantage has the third largest credit card program held by local banks and credit unions.
22. We save approximately 1,000 trees each year by shredding our all of our confidential documents.
23. We have been the founding sponsor of Yorktown Market Days since it began in 2007.
24. 1st Advantage presented the American Red Cross with a check for $80,000 for the Tsunami Relief in 2005.
25. 1st Advantage has a unique executive position dedicated to improving our members and colleague experience, this positions title is Chief Experience Officer.
26. Late 2011, we official rolled out our Personal Financial Management Tool, Budget Buddy to help our members gain control of their finances (learn more at www.meetbudgetbuddy.com).
27. On September 20, 2011 1st Advantage held a double celebration… not only did we celebrate our 60th anniversary but we also honored members that had reached a milestone year – over 300 attended.
28. One member who celebrated at the milestone reception opened his account several weeks after Fort Eustis (1st Advantage) Federal Credit Union was started.
29. In 2011, Colleagues created and mailed 600 holiday cards for our deployed service members.
30. 1st Advantage has the sixth largest mortgage portfolio of financial institutions with branches on the Virginia Peninsula.
31. In 2010, 1st Advantage colleagues donated over 1000 volunteer hours to the community
32. Our current board chair, Laurence Smail, has served on 1st Advantage’s Board of Directors since 1973.
33. In 2012, 1A plans to offer an Android and iPhone app for Mobile banking
34. Superglue was invented the same year that 1st Advantage was founded.
35. $4500 was donated to the American Red Cross for the Haiti Relief in 2010
36. Instead of installing the traditional teller line, 1A introduced a “money pod” at our Hidenwood Branch when it opened in 2009.
37. Our Savings Account rate in June 1992 was 4.5% Annual Percentage Yield.
38. 1st Advantage is the third largest provider of auto loans among Virginia Peninsula based lenders.
39. In 2005, 1A opens the first student run credit union in York County, Panther CU at Bruton High School.
40. Prior to our Denbigh branch being built colleagues worked out of a trailer.
41. You can earn up to $300 a year by referring 6 people to 1A, visit www.1stAdvantage.org for more information.
42. AARP filed over 900 tax forms in 2011 while working from our Kiln Creek Corporate Office.
43. We were the first to offer a stand alone mobile ATM for special events around the community.
44. 1st Advantage is the same age as Sting and Phil Collins!
45. Hundreds of small businesses count on 1st Advantage for financial services, including checking accounts and business loans and credit cards.
46. 1st Advantage is one of the 10 largest financial institutions on the Virginia Peninsula in terms of deposits held locally.
47. Members conduct business with 1st Advantage by phone and Internet from all over the world…many while serving in the armed forces.
48. Hundreds of members enjoyed free BBQ on October 1, 2011 as 1st Advantage hosted its second annual Member Appreciation Day.
49. In October, 1st Advantage introduced a service that s its members to pay anyone they have an email address for, electronically.
50. 1A’s Denbigh branch was been awarded the 2010 Green Award by the Newport News Green Foundation in honor of the branch’s effort to enhance the quality of life and beauty of the City of Newport News.
51. 1st Advantage members enjoy discounts to great local attractions like Busch Gardens, Colonial Williamsburg and Great Wolf Lodge.
52. We offer a Platinum credit card that offers reward points for merchandise and travel just like the national bank cards.
53. You can finance a vehicle with 1A at most area dealers…just specify you want to finance with 1st Advantage when the time comes to talk dollars and cents.
54. Our members can access their 1A accounts at over 4,400 service center locations in seven countries.
55. Our mobile locator site, www.Find1A.com, provides quick access to ATM, branch and service center near you.
56. We have a branch inside Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center, making life a bit more convenient for the men and women of the health care community.
57. Our e-Lert system allows members to set up automatic reminders and alerts... like when a bill is coming due or an account balance has gotten low…helping them avoid fees.
58. CEO Casey Duplantier has been known to appear at credit union events in costume to entertain employees and maintain morale.
59. Incoming CEO, Paul Muse, is a CNU alumnus who has called the Virginia Peninsula his home for his whole life.
60. 1st Advantage and Casey Honda gave away a car in 2009 as part of the Fee-diculous campaign to promote 1A’s free checking account.