Safeguarding Our Members’ Money with Sound Financial Practices

Keeping our members’ money safe is our top priority here at PSECU. While we often talk about safety in terms of Internet security and fraud prevention, another way in which we safeguard the money that members have deposited with us is by exercising sound financial management practices.

Hear from Kristie Lowe, the credit union’s Director of Strategic Finance & Planning, about how PSECU works to ensure our members’ money is secure.

Tell us about your role as Director of Strategic Finance & Planning at PSECU.

I’ve been part of the PSECU Finance team for over 12 years, starting as an entry-level Financial Analyst and working my way up to the Director of Strategic Finance & Planning. I lead our Strategic Finance team, our Product Pricing function, and our Financial Planning & Analysis team.  I have several areas of responsibility that help to ensure PSECU will remain a strong financial partner for our members today and long into the future.  

My team is responsible for managing PSECU’s financial risk and developing strategies to prepare for various risk events that could occur in the future. We ensure the credit union is maintaining enough cash to fund loans and deposit withdrawals for our members, and we invest any excess cash at the Federal Reserve or in a portfolio of government-backed securities. My team analyzes all major credit union initiatives to ensure we’re making financially sound decisions with our members’ money and that the investments we’re making will provide a long-term benefit for our members and the organization.

What steps does PSECU take to ensure that our members’ money is secure with us?

As a member-owned credit union, we utilize sound financial management practices to ensure we’re making the best decisions with our members’ money.  We manage PSECU’s financial risk within Board-approved parameters and develop strategies to maintain safety and soundness long term. 

To help accomplish this, we have cross-functional teams who meet weekly to develop our loan and deposit strategy. These teams balance our goal of providing a range of competitive products and rates to our members, with the financial goals of the credit union necessary to fund operations. 

In PSECU’s statement about bank closures earlier this year, we shared that PSECU is considered “well capitalized” by the NCUA (National Credit Union Administration) and PADOBS (Pennsylvania Department of Banking). Can you explain, in plain language, what that means? 

PSECU’s net worth, or capital, is essentially the total net income that has accumulated over the entire life of the credit union. To be considered “well capitalized” we’re required to maintain a minimum net worth of 7% of our total assets (such as loans, investments, facilities, etc.).

This net worth ratio is one of the most important metrics that we manage as a credit union. It’s a measure of safety and soundness and provides self-insurance to absorb any future losses.  PSECU maintains a net worth ratio well above the 7% limit to ensure we have enough protection to remain financially sound throughout any unforeseen circumstances.

If a member has deposits with PSECU, how is that money insured? 

Because we are a federally insured credit union, each member has coverage of at least $250,000* under the NCUA Share Insurance Fund. We are examined annually by NCUA and the PA Department of Banking to ensure we remain financially sound.

Thank you, Kristie, for your insight! One last question - how can members learn more about PSECU’s financials? 

Information on all federally insured credit unions can be found at NCUA.gov. You can search for us by charter number 64131.

*All PSECU deposit shares, including checking, Regular, additional savings, money market and certificates, are federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) up to $250,000, the maximum allowed by law. In addition to the $250,000 of insurance provided on an individual account or combination of individual accounts, you are also insured up to $250,000 for any combination of accounts you may hold jointly with other individuals.