Spirit Quarterly Newsletter

New EFCU contactless cards are here! Contactless cards make card payments easy, ocnvenient, secure and touch-free! We are issuing them earlier than the expiration date on your current cards, or you can also come into a branch to get one today! To learn more, visit eglinfcu.org/contactless.

The EFCU Annual Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 28, 2024. It will be held at the Niceville Community Center next to the Niceville Public Library at 204 Partin Drive North. Registration begins at 6:15 p.m. and the meeting will be called to order at 7 p.m.

2024 nominees for election

The Nominating Committee has nominated two incumbents to fill two expiring positions for three-year terms on the Board of Directors:

•  Barbara Patty
•  James Pitts

Candidate information

Barbara Patty currently serves on the Board of Directors. During her tenure on the Board, she has held the positions of Chairman, Vice Chairman and Secretary/Treasurer. Her 37 years of voluntary service to EFCU include a two-year term on the Supervisory Committee. She graduated cum laude from the University of West Florida with a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting. She is retired from Civil Service where she held the position of Budget Analyst in the Mission Support Budget Division, Armament Center at Eglin Air Force Base.

James Pitts has served on the Board of Directors since 1996 as Board Chairman, Vice Chairman and Secretary/Treasurer. Previously, he served 10 years on the Supervisory Committee for a total of 37 years of volunteer service. Mr. Pitts holds a Master of Business Administration, is a graduate of Professional Military Comptrollers School, and retired from Civil Service in January 2009 with over 36 years of federal service. He is currently Senior Pastor of New Zion Tabernacle Ministries in Fort Walton Beach.

Nominations by petition are open

If you wish to be nominated, the nominations by petition process is open until the close of business (5 p.m. CST) Nov. 2. The petition must be signed by 500 members who are at least 18 years old, and must include their signatures, printed names, and addresses as it appears on their statements. Nominations must be accompanied by a completed Nomination by Petition Packet and sent to the address below by Nov. 2. Packets may be obtained by contacting our Executive Secretary at 850.862.0111, x1601, who will mail, email, or arrange a Packet for pick up. Nominees must be an EFCU member in good standing, must be bondable and must be at least 18 years old.

Address to mail Nominations by Petition Packets to:
Eglin Federal Credit Union
Attn: Board Secretary
PO Box 854
Shalimar, FL 32579-0854

A member with a valid nomination by petition will be included on the ballot. When there is only one nomination per position to be filled, the election will not be conducted by mail ballot and there will be no nominations from the floor.

ATMs and debit cards offer quick access to your money when you’re on the go. Most of us have come to rely on the convenience they provide, but it’s important to use caution to keep ourselves and our finances safe. Follow these tips to help keep you and your money safe!

•  Try to use ATMs with which you are familiar. Choose well-lit, well-placed ATMs with security cameras in place. If you need to use an ATM late at night, ask a friend to accompany you.
•  Before approaching the ATM, scan the surrounding area. Avoid the ATM altogether if it is too dark to see or looks unsafe. If there are bystanders loitering in the area, go to another machine or return later.
•  Keep your car doors locked and windows closed as you approach a drive-thru ATM. Be prepared to conduct your business as soon as you reach the machine. Have your ATM card ready in your hand. Do not dig through a purse, bag or wallet in front of an ATM or while you are in line.
•  Check the ATM for a card skimmer. A card skimmer is a device scammers attach to the payment terminal of an ATM that is used to steal card information when inserting your card to withdraw money. You can often spot a card skimmer with your own inspection. If the card reader slot feels loose or is oddly a different color scheme than the financial institution’s branding, or the keyboard doesn’t feel right (too thick, buttons don’t press easily, etc.), these are often signs that a skimmer is in place.
•  Keep your Personal Identification Number (PIN) a secret. Never write it down anywhere, especially on your ATM card. Don’t give or lend your card to anyone.
•  Do not allow anyone to distract you while you are at the ATM. Be cautious if strangers approach you or try talking to you – even if your card is stuck or you’re having trouble with your transaction.
•  Use your body to shield the screen and keypad before entering your PIN. If someone takes interest in your transaction, leave the area and report the suspicious behavior to the police. Do not count or visually display any money you received from the ATM.
•  Always check and ensure that your card is not left at the ATM at the end of the transaction, and take your transaction receipts with you.

Be alert to potential scams. EFCU will never call or email you to verify your password or PIN. To report a lost or stolen card, contact Eglin FCU immediately at 850.862.0111, option 1 for Card Services.

Congratulations to our Certified IRA Specialist Teri Broxson, who was selected as the 5-Star Performer for the second quarter of 2023! Teri is dedicated and proactive in helping our membership at EFCU. She also immersed herself in the community by volunteering to teach classes about IRA products at the Center for Lifelong Learning. Thank you for all that you do for EFCU and our members, Teri!

Our Mobile App update was released at the end of July, and we are committed to continuous improvement. To learn more about the new features and services offered through the Mobile App, visit eglinfcu.org/mobileapp.

FAQs are also provided to answer general questions. Please view the tutorials for help navigating the changes. You can watch tutorials on topics like setting up alerts, transfers, general navigation and more.

If you need more help navigating the App, please contact our Online/Mobile Banking Team at eglinfcu.org/contact.

If you have suggestions, please let us hear from you through the Feedback link in the Mobile App.

Eglin FCU provides the service of Shared Branching so no matter where you are traveling or visiting, you’re likely to have a partner credit union nearby. If you need access to your account, they’re closer than you think. To find the nearest branch:

•  Visit eglinfcu.org/locations
•  Download the CO-OP Shared Branch app
•  Call 888.748.3266
•  Text a Zip Code to 91989 to find nearby Shared Branch locations.

• As You Like It, Inc., Mary Esther
• Belle Vision Coffee, LLC, dba Espresso Lane Navarre, Navarre Beach
• Destin Shaw, LLC, dba East Pass Coffee Company, Destin
• Dewey's Navarre, LLC, Navarre
• Great Escape Fishing Corp., Destin
• Jason's All Around Marine, Inc., Destin
• Summer Fun Pools, Inc., dba Southern Tide Pools, Navarre
• Swear Fence & Lawn Installations, LLC, Ft. Walton Beach
• MRD Associates, Inc., Destin
• 3DEEZ, LLC, dba Pet Supplies Plus, Destin
• BC Music, LLC, Ft. Walton Beach
• Boomer Aviation, Inc., Ft. Walton Beach
• CJ's Signs and Designs, LLC, Ft. Walton Beach
• Emerald Coast Clubhouse, LLC, dba Clubhouse Grill, Ft. Walton Beach
• Fort Walton Beach Chiropractic, LLC, Ft. Walton Beach
• Ocean City Mechanics, Inc., Ft. Walton Beach
• Prochex Glass Tint, LLC, Ft. Walton Beach
• Run With It, Inc., Ft. Walton Beach
• The Silver Mine, Inc., Ft. Walton Beach
• Wentz Industries, LLC, Ft. Walton Beach
• Venture Hospitality Partners, LTD, dba Hampton Inn & Suites, Navarre
• J. Ely Business Services, Inc., Destin
• Emerald Coast Title Services, LLC, Destin
• Salt Water Vacations, LLC, Destin
• 201 Miracle FWB, LLC, dba Fairway Inn, Ft. Walton Beach
• All Pro PDR of NW Florida, Inc. dba All Pro Dent Repair, Ft. Walton Beach
• Beach Weekend Management, LLC, dba Beach Weekend, Ft. Walton Beach
• Coastline Medical Services, PLLC, Ft. Walton Beach
• Emerald Coast Title Services, LLC, Ft. Walton Beach
• Rob-Roy Investments, Inc. dba Dixielectricar, Ft. Walton Beach
• The Crack of Dawn Café, Inc., Ft. Walton Beach
• Emerald Coast Title Services, LLC, Freeport
• A Day Away Massage and Spa, LLC, Mary Esther
• RASOI, LLC dba Fazoli's, Mary Esther
• Father and Son Pest and Lawn Solutions, Navarre
• Byrd Seafood Market, LLC, Niceville
• Landshark Investments, Inc. dba Landshark's Pizza, Niceville
• Nice Vittles, Inc. dba PoFolks, Niceville
• Emerald Coast Title Services, LLC, Santa Rosa Beach
• Rob-Roy Investments, Inc. dba Dixielectricar, Santa Rosa Beach
• Fort Walton Yacht Club, Inc., Ft. Walton Beach