A good year behind. Even better things ahead.
At the end of a good year—one in which we reached record levels of loan originations, and welcomed almost 500 new members to Adirondack Regional FCU—it’s easy to get distracted by the numbers on our spreadsheets. (And we’re proud of them!)
But that takes the spotlight off the real story of this year, and every year: The work you do to make our communities so vibrant. And the trust you put in us to help make your dreams come true.
When we account for those $50 million in loans (a record), that includes $2 million we invested in nine entrepreneurs who grew or expanded their businesses all across the North Country. People like Jen Jurczak, the latest steward of the historic Adirondack Hotel in Long Lake. Or Christina Karl, the new owner of Bear Essentials in Saranac Lake. Or Heath Andre, who has breathed new life into Lake Champlain Sanitation in Plattsburgh.
That total also includes a student-loan partnership we started with North Country Community College and its UpNCoding program. This intense, 12-week course teaches students to be full-stack software engineers. When it’s done, those graduates will be ready to join the fast-growing software development industry.
We’re excited to give these students the opportunity to achieve their educational goals. And because all the loan recipients live or work in Clinton, Franklin, Essex or St. Lawrence counties, we also see these loans as investments in our future workforce. Because so many software jobs are remote, we expect many of the students who graduate this program will find high-paying jobs and remain in the area.
At the start of 2023, many of us in the financial industry were concerned about the headwinds facing our economy this year. Standing here now, the outlook is considerably brighter. Regardless of what the new year brings, though, you can be sure each of us here will be ready to help you meet whatever challenges you encounter, and whatever goals you seek to achieve.
To each of you, from all of us, may 2024 bring you health, friendship, prosperity and peace.
Sincerely,
Russ Cronin
CEO, Adirondack Regional Federal Credit Union
2023 By the Numbers
477: New members who joined the credit union.
550: New loan originations, which helped put more than 30 members in their dream homes and more than 250 members with new vehicles.
$200,000+: Dividends paid to members, a 9% increase from 2022.
60: Dogs attending the Tri-Lakes Humane Society’s Bark in the Park fundraiser, where 22 pets were microchipped and 50 received vaccines.(Those dogs brought a record 175 people with them.)
109: Seniors applying for one of ten Donald DeVirgeles Memorial Scholarships, worth $6,000 in all.
25%: Increase in credit union donations to local non-profits and families in need.
2: Newly certified financial counselors on staff.