Bronco Federal Credit Union had a full and rewarding April. From classroom visits and spring festivals to health fairs and our annual member meeting, our team was out in the community doing what we love most: connecting with the people we serve.

Financial Education in Schools
This month, Bronco staff visited students at Franklin High School and Southampton High School to share practical financial knowledge. Presentations covered a range of important topics, including the different types of accounts and their uses, budgeting and savings tips and online security best practices. These visits reflect our ongoing commitment to empowering the next generation with the tools they need to make smart financial decisions.

City of Franklin Spring Fest — April 11
Staff joined the community for the City of Franklin’s Spring Fest on April 11th. The weather was beautiful, and the Bronco booth was a crowd favorite — members and neighbors stepped right up to try their luck at a round of Plinko to see what prize they’d win! It was a wonderful afternoon of community spirit and fun.

Suffolk YMCA Healthy Kids Day — April 18
Bronco was proud to participate in the Suffolk YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day. This free annual event is designed to inspire children and families to stay active, healthy and engaged. Our mascot, Bronco, was on hand and thrilled to meet families from across the Suffolk community, helping spread the word about our commitment to member wellness beyond just finances.

Annual Member Meeting — April 28
On April 28th, members gathered for the annual business meeting, enjoyed fun door prizes and celebrated the highlight of the evening: the announcement of this year’s scholarship recipients.

We’re thrilled to share that we awarded a total of $23,000 in scholarships to deserving students this year.

• Rhea Cutchins — John A. Glasgow Scholarship | $5,000
• Owen Bailey — John A. Glasgow Scholarship | $5,000
• Adin Brown — Charles A. Wrenn Scholarship | $3,000
• Cooper Bass — James C. Copeland Scholarship | $3,000
• Andrew Hinson — Robert T. Petty Scholarship | $1,000
• Cole Hewett — Robert T. Petty Scholarship | $1,000
• Isabelle Melbye — Bronco Federal Credit Union Scholarship | $3,000
• Ryan Ferrell — Bronco Federal Credit Union Scholarship | $1,000
• David Cuthbertson — Bronco Federal Credit Union Scholarship | $1,000

A special highlight of the evening came when Cooper Bass, recipient of the James C. Copeland Scholarship, was recognized alongside Mr. Copeland himself — the namesake of the award — who was in attendance to share in the celebration.

We’re grateful for the opportunity to serve and give back to the communities we call home. Here’s to many more moments of connection, education and celebration ahead!

We held our annual business meeting on April 28^th at 5:30pm. Fun door prizes were given out and the highlight of the night was our annual scholarship announcement.

We were thrilled to award a total of $23,000 in scholarships. Rhea Cutchins and Owen Bailey both received a $5,000 John A. Glasgow Scholarship, Adin Brown received the Charles A. Wrenn Scholarship in the amount of $3,000, the $3,000 James C. Copeland scholarship was awarded to Cooper Bass, Andrew Hinson and Cole Hewett both received a $1,000 Robert T. Petty Scholarship, Isabelle Melbye received the Bronco Federal Credit Union for $3,000, and Ryan Ferrell and David Cuthbertson were awarded $1,000 Bronco Federal Credit Union Scholarships.

If you were unable to attend, we invite you to read through our minutes and look at our 2025 snapshot to see what Bronco’s year was like.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Franklin, VA — Bronco Federal Credit Union is pleased to announce the appointment of Chantal Dalton as Member Business Services Manager, effective February 2, 2026. Based primarily in Bronco’s Franklin branch, Chantal will serve business members throughout the credit union’s full field of membership.

Chantal brings nearly two decades of experience in financial services, having worked in the industry since 2007. Prior to joining Bronco Federal Credit Union, Chantal served as a Relationship Banker at BB&T (now Truist) and as a Branch Manager at Farmers Bank, where she developed strong expertise in business account services, relationship management, and supporting small business owners through every stage of growth.

In this role, Chantal will support and grow Bronco Federal Credit Union’s business services by working closely with local business owners to understand their needs and provide thoughtful financial solutions. With a focus on relationship-building and long-term success, Chantal will help strengthen Bronco’s commitment to serving small businesses and supporting economic growth throughout the communities it serves.

In addition to her professional background, Chantal brings a unique perspective as a small business owner. Since 2018, she has owned and operated Old Cart Critters, a traveling petting zoo business. This hands-on experience gives her a firsthand understanding of the challenges and opportunities local business owners face.

“I am honored to serve our business members and work alongside them as they grow and succeed,” said Chantal. “Building trusted relationships and supporting the community I serve is something I truly value, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to do that in this role.”

“We are excited to welcome Chantal to the Bronco Federal Credit Union team,” said Mike Kenzie, Chief Executive Officer. “Her deep understanding of business accounts, commitment to relationship-driven service, and personal experience as a small business owner makes her a strong advocate for our business members. As we continue to grow our business services, Chantal will play an important role in helping our members thrive and strengthening the communities we serve.”

For more information, please contact:Ashley Covington
Marketing and Training Specialist
Bronco Federal Credit Union
757-569-3719
ashley.covington@broncofcu.com

About Bronco Federal Credit Union
Bronco Federal Credit Union is a member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative headquartered in Franklin, Virginia, committed to providing trusted financial services and supporting the communities it serves.

For most people, homeownership is a long-term goal, not something that happens overnight. Whether you’re hoping to buy your first home next year or simply thinking about it as a future possibility, preparing early can help you feel more confident and less stressed when the time comes.

The good news? You don’t need perfect credit, a huge down payment, or a “right” market moment to start preparing. Here are a few simple steps that can help you move closer to homeownership, at your own pace.

1. Know where you stand

Before focusing on interest rates or home prices, it’s helpful to understand your personal financial starting point. This includes your credit, income, monthly budget, and existing debt.

Knowing where you stand doesn’t mean committing to buying a home right away. It simply gives you clarity and clarity creates options. If there’s room for improvement, understanding that early allows you to make gradual changes over time, rather than feeling rushed later.

At Bronco, our team can help you walk through these basics and answer questions in a low-pressure conversation, so you know what steps might make the biggest difference for you.

2. Start building a home fund

Saving for a home often includes more than just a down payment. Closing costs, inspections, and having an emergency cushion after you move in are all important to consider.

Starting a dedicated “home fund” savings account can make this process feel more manageable. Even small, consistent contributions, especially when set up as automatic transfers, can add up over time.

This approach allows you to prepare without straining your budget and helps turn a big goal into something more achievable. Whether you plan to buy soon or years from now, having savings set aside gives you flexibility and peace of mind.

3. Learn your mortgage options

Mortgages can feel overwhelming, especially if you’ve never been through the process before. Taking time to learn about different loan options early can help remove uncertainty and build confidence.

Understanding basics like fixed-rate mortgages, down payment requirements, and specialized options such as lot or construction loans, allows you to make informed decisions when the time is right. Learning doesn’t mean committing; it simply means being prepared.

Our mortgage team is here to explain your options in clear, simple terms and help you understand what might work best for your situation.

Meeting you where you are

Homeownership looks different for everyone. You may be preparing to buy your first home, thinking about a second home, or considering a move that better fits your needs as you plan for retirement. Wherever you are in the process, the path forward doesn’t have to feel overwhelming.

Preparing early helps you make thoughtful decisions on your own timeline without pressure. It gives you the space to ask questions, explore options, and move forward when it feels right for you.

At Bronco Federal Credit Union, we’re here to meet you where you are and support you through every stage of homeownership. Whether you’re just starting to plan or ready to take the next step, our team is here to help you navigate the journey with confidence.

Ready to start the conversation? Reach out to our mortgage team when you’re ready. We’re happy to connect by phone or set up a time that works for you.

Mortgage loans are subject to credit approval. Terms, rates, and conditions may vary based on individual qualifications and are subject to change. This information is provided for educational purposes only and is not a commitment to lend.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Franklin, VA — Bronco Federal Credit Union is pleased to announce the promotion of Kelsey Moore to Chief Lending Officer (CLO). Moore will assume the role following the retirement of Pam Lease, who served Bronco Federal Credit Union for 28 years with dedication and leadership.

Moore has been with Bronco for 10 years, serving in a variety of roles of increasing responsibility throughout the credit union. Most recently, she served as Lending Manager, where she helped lead day-to-day lending operations and was pivotal in the credit union’s 25% loan growth in 2025—the second-strongest year of loan growth in the past 20 years. Supporting that level of growth required strong execution and teamwork, including keeping processes moving, ensuring consistency, and helping the lending team meet member needs during a high-volume year.

“Kelsey’s leadership and steady approach were major contributors to our ability to serve members through an exceptional year of growth,” said Mike Kenzie, President/CEO of Bronco Federal Credit Union. “She combines strong lending knowledge with a genuine care for people—our members and our staff. She’s earned the trust of the organization, and I’m excited to see her step into this role.”

As Chief Lending Officer, Moore will lead Bronco’s overall lending strategy and operations and will also oversee the credit union’s collections function, ensuring a balanced, end-to-end approach to portfolio performance, member support, and continuous improvement. Her focus will include building on Bronco’s momentum while continuing to strengthen consistency, processes, and performance as the credit union grows.

“I’m honored and grateful for the opportunity to serve as Chief Lending Officer,” said Moore. “Bronco has always been committed to helping members reach their financial goals, and I’m excited to continue building on that mission. I’m especially grateful to Pam, not only for her years of service and the strong foundation she helped create at Bronco, but for her guidance and support throughout my time on the lending team. I truly would not be ready for this opportunity without her mentorship. I look forward to leading our teams forward and continuing to deliver an exceptional experience to every member.”

Bronco Federal Credit Union serves members throughout the region with a mission to provide an exceptional experience to every member and a vision to be our members’ lifetime financial partner.

About Bronco Federal Credit Union
Bronco Federal Credit Union is a member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative headquartered in Franklin, Virginia, committed to providing trusted financial services and supporting the communities it serves.

Saving Is Easier When Your Money Has a Game Plan

Saving money doesn’t have to be complicated and it doesn’t have to look the same for everyone. At Bronco Federal Credit Union, we believe saving is easier when your money has a game plan. That’s why we offer a variety of savings tools designed to help you build a strategy that works for your life, your goals, and every stage along the way.

Think of it as your Savings Playbook. Different plays for different situations, all working toward a stronger financial future.

The Foundation: Regular Savings

Every financial game plan starts somewhere. A regular savings account is the foundation of your playbook, giving you a safe place to build emergency funds, plan for upcoming expenses, or simply get into the habit of saving consistently.

Stay Organized: Sub-Savings Accounts

Sub-savings accounts allow you to organize your money by goal. Whether you’re saving for a new TV, vacation, home improvements, or future plans, sub-savings help you stay organized. This is one of the easiest ways to turn good intentions into real progress.

Gain Momentum: Money Market Accounts

As your savings grow, you may be ready for a strategy that helps your money work a little harder. Money market accounts are designed for higher balances while still keeping your funds accessible. They’re a great next step when you’re building momentum toward larger goals.

Plan Ahead: Christmas Club

The holidays come every year but they don’t have to come with financial stress. A Christmas Club account helps you set money aside throughout the year so you’re prepared when the season arrives. It’s a simple way to plan ahead and enjoy the holidays with confidence. You can also use this for other expenses such personal property taxes. 

Play the Long Game: Custodial Accounts

Custodial accounts are designed for saving on behalf of a child or dependent. Whether you’re planning for future education expenses or simply want to start building savings early, custodial accounts help you focus on long-term goals that matter most.

Lock in Your Strategy: Certificates & IRA Certificates

Certificates (also known as share certificates) are a great option when you have money you don’t need immediate access to and want a predictable savings strategy. With fixed terms and set rates, certificates help you lock in your plan.

For retirement-focused savings, Traditional IRA and Roth IRA certificates offer a similar approach while supporting long-term retirement goals. Both options are valuable plays in a well-rounded savings playbook.

Start Early: Buzz Club for Kids

Good saving habits start young. Our Buzz Club savings accounts are designed specifically for kids 12 and under, helping families introduce the concept of saving early and make it fun and rewarding. It’s a great first step toward lifelong financial confidence.

Let’s Build Your Savings Playbook Together

No two members have the same goals and that’s why your savings strategy shouldn’t be one-size-fits-all. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to fine-tune your approach, Bronco Federal Credit Union is here to help you build a savings playbook that works for you.

Stop by a branch to talk with a Bronco team member to explore your options.