Harborstone Credit Union Named 2010 Air Force Credit Union of the Year

Harborstone Credit Union named 2010 Air Force Credit Union of the Year

South Sound institution honored for outstanding service to Joint Base Lewis-McChord

Lakewood, WA (September 16, 2010) – The United States Air Force has awarded its 2010 Air Force Credit Union of the Year honors to Harborstone Credit Union for its commitment to all military personnel and their families on Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM).

Harborstone, a Washington state institution serving South Sound and one of the “official” Defense credit unions on Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM), also won the prestigious national award in 2006.

The 2010 Air Force Credit Union of the year recognizes Defense credit unions that provide exceptional service to local military communities. Harborstone was specifically commended for its extensive support on JBLM-McChord Field, for the fallen Lakewood police officers and military personnel returning from deployments, the Air Mobility Rodeo participants, and numerous events and programs supporting military families.

“We’re passionate about supporting the military personnel—both active and retired—in the communities we serve,” said Phil Jones, Harborstone CEO. “It’s the same approach we take for all of our members. We care about them and want to be a productive partner in their financial lives.”

Harborstone is also known for increasing community awareness and for implementing programs that support the military population. The Military Selection Panel also noted Harborstone’s efforts to combat predatory payday lending by offering financial management training as part of multiple Professional Military Education courses. Harborstone has also been one of the catalysts in forming and leading the Pierce Military & Business Alliance, which manages over $100,000 in annual contributions from local businesses to military causes supporting the military's morale, readiness and retention efforts.

In the award letter to Harborstone, Jamie M. Morin, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force Finance Department, commended Harborstone’s “responsiveness to the needs of Joint Base Lewis-McChord, outstanding level of community outreach, financial management training for our Airmen and volunteer initiatives.”

Harborstone was also recognized for its employees’ active involvement with military service organizations, charity fundraising and local recognition programs. In addition, the selection committee praised the level of customer communication through Harborstone’s periodic town-hall meetings and active solicitation of customer feedback in order to improve financial services. Finally, Harborstone was noted for its support of the “Military Saves” program. The company is also heavily involved with the Association of the U.S. Army and the Air Force Association, and specializes in providing “Total Force Support” for families on JBLM.