Spring 2025
Coastline Quarterly Newsletter

Senior AVP Jenny Fonsen has been promoted to Vice President Risk & Compliance, utilizing her expertise to oversee risk management, regulatory compliance, and fraud prevention efforts. Jenny is a 25-year veteran of the credit union industry and has served at CCCU 17 of those years, including multiple leadership positions. Jenny holds certifications in Internal Audit, Credit Union Compliance and Bank Secrecy Act through America’s Credit Unions and is in her final year at Western Credit Union Management School.

With last year’s promotion of Fred Moore to President & CEO, Danielle Gruber joined CCCU in October as Vice President Chief Financial Officer. Danielle brings extensive experience
in financial leadership at major financial institutions, most recently serving as Director supervising Finance & Model activities for Bank of Montreal, working in the Bay Area. She has expertise in financial strategy, budgeting, and operational accounting. Danielle is a graduate of University of California, Davis.

Happy Spring! I hope you are enjoying the outdoors after a rainy winter. Thank you to those of you who attended our Annual Member Meeting, either in person or on Zoom. As we do each year, we shared financial results and other highlights from the previous year, which were outstanding for your credit union. Be sure to view our Annual Report at coastccu.org/2024-annual-report or pick up a copy at any CCCU location.

At 12/31/24:

• Total Assets: $2,183.4 billion, up 6.49%
• Total Shares: $1,934.7 billion, up 6.93%%
• Total Loans: $1,022.4 billion, up 8.10% and achieving a milestone Total Membership: 78,768, up 1.49%
• Service Quality: 95.3% member satisfaction, a new record

Additionally, as all volunteer Board of Directors incumbents eligible for another term opted to renew and we had no other candidates submit applications, there was no need for a balloted election. Congratulations to Denise Jones, Brendan McKenny, and Dane Valadao. On our Supervisory Committee, thank you to Diane Sharples who is retiring from the Committee after 34 years of service. We are immensely grateful.

Speaking of appreciation, as noted on the cover, we are in the midst of several leadership transitions. On behalf of the entire CCCU family, I want to congratulate and thank Ann Jadro-Bettiga and Colleen Toste on their impending retirements after 40-year respective careers. The contributions they have made in their many years of service have transformed our organization for the better. In conjunction, congratulations to Kendra O’Brien and Jenny Fonsen on their well-earned promotions and a warm welcome to Christian Hill and Danielle Gruber. I am excited about the many possibilities these new leaders will bring to these important areas of CCCU.

Lastly, last month I had the opportunity to attend the Governmental Affairs Conference in Washington, D.C., joining thousands of other credit union leaders to advocate to lawmakers and regulators for credit unions and members. One of the most concerning initiatives currently challenging the credit union movement is tax-exemption status. Unfortunately, Congress may leverage a new tax on all credit unions, and recently the House Budget Committee passed a resolution to begin the process. Because credit unions are not driven by profit like banks, tax exemption allows us to focus on providing the best possible financial services to you at low loan rates, higher deposit rates, and lower fees. That has the potential of changing dramatically. Your help is needed to stop the elimination of the credit union tax exemption. Visit ccul.org/cftc to help us express concerns to our representatives.

In closing, we are off to a great start for 2025, our 75th anniversary year! We have fun activities planned, so stay tuned. Thank you for your continued loyalty and support of Coast Central Credit Union.

Mikaela Alexander Manager, Member Services Specialists

Mikaela volunteered a total of 40 hours for seven organizations during the quarter. She is a positive role model to everyone she interacts with and is dedicated to supporting local youth. She recently became a Big with Big Brothers Big Sisters and has also given hours of her time to Freshwater School, CASA of Humboldt, Toys for Tots, California Cancer Crusher, Humboldt County History Day, and more. Thank you, Mikaela, for your dedication to supporting local youth, and congrats on your well- deserved recognition!

Denise Rogers

Director, Friends for Life Animal Rescue Denise (left) is a tireless advocate for animals and their humans, embodying selflessness, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to her community. In addition to serving as Director of Friends for Life Animal Rescue (FFL) and helping animals find their forever home, she also manages the Humboldt County Animal Shelter’s Medical Emergency Fund, ensuring that injured or sick animals receive the medical attention they need. She has used her own resources to personally cover the costs of life saving treatment on more than one occasion. Denise’s work has made an enormous impact, not only on the animals she saves but on the lives of the people she assists. Congrats and thank you! Denise was nominated by AVP Member Services Branches Kay Serotta (right).

Scammers continue to spoof CCCU’s number, and members are losing thousands of dollars trusting the caller and withdrawing funds because they tell them to. Don’t be their next victim!

• • When you reply to a text claiming to be from CCCU, even if the answer is “No,” you invite
  • If someone tells you to lie to our employees, that’s a red flag.
  • If anyone asks for your Online Banking password, that’s also a red flag.

Be skeptical and protect your money! Once you’ve provided it to scammers, it’s unlikely it can be recovered. Call us at (707) 445-8801 or use Live Chat to verify all communications and visit coastccu.org/fraud-scams.

Suspect You’ve Been Scammed? Act Quickly!
If you suspect fraud on any of your accounts, are skeptical a text you received is actually from Coast Central, or think you may have just sent a wire transfer to a scammer, immediately call us at (707) 445-8801 or Live Chat at coastccu.org. Our friendly experts are available 6 days a week, Monday – Friday 8 am – 6 pm and Saturdays 10 am – 3 pm to assist you. After hours, immediately use Card Control in Online or Mobile Banking or call Visa at (866) 896-4689 to lock your cards, change your online passwords, report the fraud at reportfraud.ftc.gov and ic3.gov, and leave us a message.