All posts by jelewis8

News

A Sweet Summer Thank You to Our Members

At Bronco Federal Credit Union, our members are at the heart of everything we do. This month, we took a couple of joyful days to celebrate you.

On July 16 and 18, we set up shop at our Stewart and Godwin branches for a good old-fashioned member appreciation party, complete with games, treats and plenty of laughter.

Our lobby turned into a mini game show set as members lined up to take a spin at Plinko, winning fun prizes like pizza cutters, pens, stress relievers (that looked like wads of cash!) and more.

We sweetened the day with fresh chocolate chip cookies from The Sugar Shack at the Mingle, and cooled everyone down with refreshing Italian Ice from Paradice757 (a lifesaver on blazing July days).

Members also had the chance to enter to win a $100, $300 or $500 gift card. We’re happy to congratulations our following winners:

These events are all about showing our appreciation for our incredible members. Whether we’re chatting about summer plans, solving financial puzzles or just handing out frozen treats, we love every opportunity to connect with the people who make this credit union feel like family.

News

Bronco Around Town – April 2025

Leave a comment

Spring is always a busy season for our Bronco team, and this April we were all over town lending a hand, giving back and connecting with our members. Here’s a look at the highlights.

April marked Clean Rivers Month in our region, a time when local organizations and volunteers come together to help protect the Blackwater and Nottoway Watersheds. Team Bronco hit the pavement on Stewart Drive for our annual trash pickup effort and collected nine bags of litter! It’s a small step toward a cleaner community and one we’re proud to be part of every year.

On April 29th, we welcomed members to our Annual Meeting at the Camp Workforce Development Center. Guests were greeted at 5PM, and the evening kicked off with a heartwarming moment: Travis Parker presented $23,000 in scholarships to ten outstanding local high school seniors.

Scholarship recipients included: Abigail Worrell, Isabella Edwards, Meredith Belcher, Bryce Pope, Miles Dawkins, Ansley Howell, Jordyn Robertson, Cameron Worrell and Ava Raiford. (Not pictured: Grayson Griffith, recipient of the James C. Copeland Scholarship.)

Bronco President/CEO Mike Kenzie shared 2024 accomplishments and gave a sneak peek of what’s ahead for 2025. Members also participated in the election of our Board of Directors, with Frank Rabil, Kenny Barham, Dan Crumpler and Justin Oliver all re-elected.

Door prizes, including $50, $100 and $200 gift cards, brought smiles throughout the evening. But who could forget the crowd favorite door prize? A 5-pound Hershey’s chocolate bar!

Board Updates: Brad Turner is now serving as Chairman, Dell Cotton as Treasurer, and Dan Crumpler as Secretary. Jenny Bunn has stepped down from the Supervisory Committee.

On April 18th, we teamed up with our friends at Doma Shred for our spring Community Document Shredding Event. Together, we helped securely dispose of 6,000 pounds of sensitive documents! Thanks to everyone who came out. (Don’t worry, our fall shred day is just around the corner.)

We brought the energy on April 19th at the City of Franklin Spring Fest, where Bronco not only sponsored the event but joined the fun as a vendor. Kids and adults alike lined up for a chance to play Bronco Plinko, and plenty of prizes were won! It was a fantastic day of family fun, sunshine and community spirit.

News, Promote

Your Dream Home Is Closer Than You Think: Explore Your Mortgage Options with Bronco Federal Credit Union

Buying a home is a huge milestone, and the right financing can make all the difference. At Bronco Federal Credit Union, we understand the process can feel overwhelming, but we’re here to guide you through every step. Whether you’re looking for stability with a Fixed-Rate Mortgage or are ready to build your dream home with a Lot Loan or Construction Loan, we’ve got the perfect solution for you.

Fixed-Rate Mortgages: Stability and Peace of Mind

A Fixed-Rate Mortgage offers the stability of predictable monthly payments. With a fixed interest rate for the entire life of the loan, excluding escrow, your payments won’t change, which means no surprises down the road.

Why Choose a Fixed-Rate Mortgage?

Predictable Payments: Your payment stays the same every month, making budgeting easier.
Stability: Ideal for long-term homeowners who want security and peace of mind.
No Surprises: With a fixed rate, you can rest easy knowing exactly what you’ll be paying each month.

What About Escrow?

In addition to your mortgage payment, you may also have an escrow amount included, which covers homeowners’ insurance premiums and property taxes. This amount is collected along with your monthly mortgage payment, but it’s important to know that outside of these, your payment will remain the same. Escrow helps ensure these essential costs are paid on time and rolled into one convenient monthly payment.

Lot Loans & Construction Loans: Build Your Dream Home

Looking to build your perfect home? Bronco offers two separate loan products to help you get started: a Lot Loan for purchasing land and a Construction Loan to finance building your new home.

Lot Loan: This loan helps you purchase the land where you plan to build. Our Lot Loan option make it easy to purchase the land you need.
Construction Loan: Once you’ve secured the land, a Construction Loan covers the costs of building your home. It’s a separate product, allowing you to finance both the land and construction through Bronco.

Both loans are available as stand-alone products, meaning you can choose the one that fits your needs.

Why Choose a Lot Loan or Construction Loan?

Separate Loans: Lot Loans and Construction Loans are independent products, so you can use them individually as needed.
Competitive Rates: Enjoy affordable rates and flexible terms, tailored to your financial goals.
Simplified Process: Whether you’re buying land or building, we make it easy to secure the financing you need.

Why Choose Bronco Federal Credit Union?

At Bronco, we provide personalized service and expert guidance, ensuring you feel confident throughout your mortgage journey. Here’s why our members choose us:

Dedicated Team: Our experienced mortgage professionals will help you understand your options and walk you through the process.
Competitive Rates: We offer rates and terms that work for you.
Local Expertise: We’re committed to helping our neighbors in the local community achieve homeownership.

Ready to Find Your Perfect Mortgage?

No matter where you are in your home buying journey, Bronco is here to help. Whether you’re interested in a Fixed-Rate Mortgage, Lot Loan, or Construction Loan, we have the financing options to make your dream home a reality.Get Started Today!

Learn more here or call us at 757-569-6000 to schedule an appointment. Our team is here to help you every step of the way!

News

New ID Verification for Shared Branching Services

Leave a comment

At Bronco Federal Credit Union, we understand how crucial it is to help protect you from account takeover fraud. That’s why we are introducing a new ID verification measure for members using Shared Branching services out-of-state. This new fraud prevention step ensures that it’s YOU trying to access your account, not an imposter.

What Does This Mean for You?

Starting May 1, 2025, when using Shared Branching services out-of-state—whether you’re a Bronco Federal Credit Union member visiting another credit union in network or a member of another credit union coming to our Godwin branch (our Shared Branch location)—you’ll need to complete a quick ID verification process. This added step helps ensure your account remains secure and only authorized individuals can access it.

How to Complete the ID Verification:

Scan the QR Code – Use your smartphone to scan the QR code below or visit verify.coop.org.
Select Your Credit Union – Choose Bronco Federal Credit Union from the drop-down list.
Enter Your Information – Input your account number and the last four digits of your Social Security number.
Upload Your ID – Upload a clear photo of your government-issued ID (front and back)
Your ID will be securely stored and can be reused for future transactions
Take a Selfie – Take a selfie for verification.
When asked if you want to remember this device for a quicker process next time? Choose Yes.
Receive Your Passcode – Once verified, you will receive a one-time passcode. Show this passcode to the teller at the Shared Branch location.
Your passcode will be valid for 20 minutes, so please make sure to use it before it expires.

Why This Change?

This additional layer of authentication is part of our commitment to protecting your accounts and personal information. With account takeover fraud on the rise, this new fraud prevention measure ensures that it’s YOU trying to access your account, not an imposter.

Effective May 1, 2025

This new process will go into effect on May 1, 2025. Starting on this date, we encourage you to complete the verification process ahead of time, before you visit the credit union. This will make your in-branch experience faster and smoother when you use Shared Branching services.

We appreciate your understanding as we roll out this new process. If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to contact us!

News

2025 Annual Meeting

Leave a comment

As a member and owner of Bronco Federal Credit Union, we hope you will join us for our annual business meeting on April 29^th. We’ll be serving light refreshments, presenting scholarship awards and distributing door prizes!

Time: 5:00pm
Location: Camp Workforce Development Center at 100 N. College Drive
No RSVP required

We look forward to seeing you there!

Notice of Election of Directors: Four members of the Bronco Federal Credit Union Boardof Directors have regular three year terms that expire at the Annual Membership Meeting on April 29, 2025. The Nominating Committee has nominated the following for election to three year terms expiring in 2028:

Kenneth Barham
Dan Crumpler
Justin Oliver
Frank Rabil

No petitions for additional nominations were received by close of business on March 19, 2025. There will be no nominations taken from the floor in accordance with Article V, Section 2 of the Bylaws. The above nominees will be declared elected by general consent or acclamation at the Annual Membership Meeting in accordance with Article V, Section 2 of the Bylaws.

Read 2024 Annual Meeting minutes here

News

Mobile Deposit Made Simple: Do’s & Don’ts for Using the Bronco FCU Mobile App

Leave a comment

At Bronco Federal Credit Union, we want to make banking as easy and convenient as possible for our members. One of the best ways to save time and skip a trip to the branch or ATM is by using our Bronco FCU Mobile App to deposit checks right from your phone. To help ensure your deposits are processed quickly and accurately, check out these simple guidelines:

1. Correct Endorsements

Do:

Sign your check on the back.
Write “For Mobile Deposit Only Bronco Federal Credit Union” clearly underneath your signature.
If your check includes a “Mobile Deposit” checkbox, you can select it—but make sure you also write “Bronco Federal Credit Union” in the endorsement.

Why it matters: Proper endorsement confirms that your check is intended for mobile deposit at Bronco Federal Credit Union and helps protect against fraud and processing delays.

Don’t:

Forget to include the special endorsement language.
Use generic statements like “For Deposit Only” without specifying it’s for Bronco Federal Credit Union.

2. Mind the Deposit Limits

Do:

Remember that our daily Mobile Deposit limit is $3,000 in total, whether it’s one large check or multiple smaller checks.

Why it matters:

If a single check is over $3,000 or if you’ve already deposited up to the $3,000 limit for the day, you won’t be able to submit an additional check that would exceed the limit.
For example: If you deposit $1,000 at 9 a.m. and $1,500 at noon (a total of $2,500), a subsequent $2,000 deposit at 3 p.m. wouldn’t even allow you to submit the request because it would push you over the $3,000 daily limit.

Don’t:

Attempt to deposit checks once you’ve reached your daily $3,000 limit—any additional deposits will not be able to be submitted.

3. Perfecting Your Check Photos

Do:

Position your phone directly above the check, keeping it flat and within the grid provided by the app.
Use a plain background—a dark or contrasting color works best—to help the check’s details stand out.
Take the photo in a well-lit area to avoid shadows or glare.

Why it matters: Clear, high-resolution photos help us read the check details accurately and reduce the chance of rejected deposits.

Don’t:

Hold the phone too far away—fill the frame with the check as much as possible.
Use a busy background (e.g., patterns, clutter, or text) that might obscure important details like signatures or amounts.
Take pictures of checks on computer screens.

4. Hold onto Your Check

Do:

Keep your original check until you have verified the deposit has been posted to your account.

Why it matters: If your deposit is rejected for any reason, you may need the original check. Tearing it up or discarding it too soon could lead to complications if you need to redeposit or resolve any issues.

5. Enjoy the Convenience

Mobile Deposit is a great time-saver and an easy way to manage your finances without leaving your home or office. By following these guidelines, you can rest assured your checks will be processed smoothly and efficiently.

If you have any questions or run into any issues while using Mobile Deposit, the team at Bronco FCU is here to help. Contact us or stop by one of our branches, and we’ll be happy to assist you.

Bank on your terms with Bronco FCU. Thanks for choosing us for all your banking needs. We appreciate your membership and look forward to continuing to serve you—anytime, anywhere with Mobile Deposit!

News

Smart Ways to Use Your Tax Refund to Boost Your Financial Health

Leave a comment

Tax season is here, and if you’re expecting a refund, you might already be thinking about how to spend it. While it’s tempting to splurge, using your tax refund wisely can help strengthen your financial future. Here are some smart ways to make the most of your refund:

1. Build or Boost Your Emergency Fund

Unexpected expenses happen—car repairs, medical bills or home fixes. Having a safety net can keep you from relying on credit cards or loans in a pinch. Consider setting aside part (or all) of your refund in a Bronco Federal Credit Union savings account for easy access when you need it.

2. Pay Down Debt or Pay Ahead on Loans

If you have high-interest debt, using your refund to make a lump-sum payment can save you money in the long run. Focus on credit cards, personal loans, or any balances with high-interest rates to reduce financial stress and improve your credit score.

If you don’t have high-interest debt, consider making an extra payment toward your auto loan, mortgage or personal loan. Paying ahead can reduce the amount of interest you’ll pay over time and shorten the life of your loan. At Bronco, we make it easy to apply extra payments—just ask us how!

3. Invest in Your Future with a Certificate

Want to grow your money while keeping it safe? A Bronco Federal Credit Union Certificate is a great way to earn higher dividends while securing your funds. We offer a variety of terms, so whether you’re saving for a short-term goal or looking for a long-term investment, there’s an option that fits your needs.

4. Save for a Big Goal

Dreaming of a vacation, furthering your education or already planning for Christmas 2025? Consider putting your refund toward a Bronco Federal Credit Union savings account dedicated to your goal. Could be a sub-savings account or a specialty account like Bronco Christmas Club. Separating your savings from everyday spending can help you stay on track and watch your progress grow.

5. Open or Fund a Youth Savings Account

If you have children, your tax refund is a great opportunity to start or grow their savings. A Bronco Federal Credit Union Buzz Club account teaches kids smart financial habits from an early age and helps set them up for a strong financial future.

Let’s Make a Plan Together

At Bronco Federal Credit Union, we’re here to help you make the most of your refund in a way that fits your financial goals. Whether you’re looking to save, invest or pay down debt, we have options to support you. Stop by one of our branches or visit us online to learn more about our savings accounts, share certificates, and other ways to grow your money!

Hometown Heroes, News

Hometown Heroes – Debbie Hypes

Leave a comment

Our teammates truly make the difference, creating that “Welcome Home” feeling every time you step into a Bronco office. To help you get to know them better, we spotlight a team member in each Hometown newsletter. This winter, meet Debbie Hypes.

Debbie serves as our Branch Staff Manager, overseeing the retail staff by managing work schedules, timekeeping, annual reviews, training and coaching. She also leads our Call Center and Card Services departments—and even jumps on the phones when needed! Debbie is the go-to problem-solver for unique member situations within her areas of expertise.

How long have you been with Bronco? What led you to join the team?

I’ve been with the credit union for 25 years. I worked at a previous financial institution for 13 years and then took 10 years off to spend time with my family. When my son Stephen started 8^th grade, I decided to return to the workforce. I was hired at Bronco as a teller in 2000.

What makes you good at what you do?

I have always been proud to be a member and employee of Bronco. I like the member-owned concept and the community outreach. When you like where you work and what you do it carries over to staff and members. I am a happy “chatty” girl, and I am very interested in helping. I like to problem solve and figure out ways to make things work for all involved. I love what I do at Bronco!

What do you enjoy most about your job?

I love the “people” part of my role at Bronco.

We understand you regularly go to local schools to talk about financial education. Tell us more about that.

Going to local schools is a highlight for me. Talking about Bronco and what we offer our members is so exciting and worth sharing. We want to be partners with our members and provide them with what they need in every stage of their lives. I started my son with a Buzz Club account which is a membership savings account. Then he started a checking account, then added a student loan and Visa Credit Card. After college he took out a vehicle loan. Our younger members need to understand how we are here for each step of their journey.

What do you think draws people to Bronco?

In a word, “Member Service.” That is what sets us apart from other financial institutions. We honestly care about the member experience, and we take great pride in providing a high level of service.

What does Bronco’s “Welcome Home” tagline mean to you?

Our members are owners at Bronco, and we want them to have a “hometown” feel when they come to do business. We are happy to provide what they want and need. Come on in, Welcome to Bronco, Welcome Home!

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

I enjoy spending time with friends and family. Reading is a top priority, and I begin and end each day with a good book!

News

Bronco Around Town – December 2024

Leave a comment

December was a month full of holiday cheer and giving at Bronco Federal Credit Union! Our branches were decked out in festive style thanks to our talented teams at our Godwin, Second and Stewart offices, spreading holiday warmth to everyone who visited.

We also supported our local communities through the Angel Tree program, delivering gifts donated by our amazing members and staff to children in Franklin, Suffolk and Southampton County—partnering with the Department of Social Services and the Salvation Army to make their holidays brighter.

On December 20^th, our staff got into the spirit with fun holiday attire, showing off their festive flair.

Finally, we celebrated some big milestones in 2024: Cheryl, Shannon and Whitney marked 5 years with Bronco, while Hope and West reached an incredible 20 years. Cheers to an incredible team and a wonderful end to the year!

News

Bronco Around Town – November 2024

Leave a comment

November was a whirlwind of activity for Bronco, filled with events and celebrations across Franklin and Southampton. Here’s a snapshot of what we’ve been up to:

On November 6^th, we teamed up with the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore in Franklin to host a free workshop on Avoiding Scams. Amy Simms led the session, sharing valuable insights on common scams and practical tips to stay safe. Keep an eye out—more informative workshops like this are on the horizon!

On November 14^th, we were honored to celebrate our partnership with Franklin Public Schools at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Career and Technical Academy! During the event, we had the opportunity to tour classrooms showcasing programs like robotics, nursing, criminal justice, building trades and JROTC.

Our collaboration with their business and marketing class has been incredibly rewarding, as we’ve worked together to teach students about key financial topics such as the differences between credit unions and banks, budgeting, credit scores, borrowing and more. It’s exciting to see these future leaders gaining skills that will set them up for success!

A highlight of November was the always-entertaining Franklin-Southampton Area Chamber of Commerce Business Expo on November 21^st—and this year didn’t disappoint! With the theme “Team FSA” and a playful nod to the Olympics, we invited visitors to join Team Bronco and try their hand at curling.

It was a fantastic evening filled with networking, connecting with local businesses, and engaging with our amazing community. A huge thank you to everyone who voted for us as the People’s Choice winner!