Delta Community Insights

July 2024

Message from Matthew Shepherd, Chief Operating Officer 

Delta Community COO Matthew Shepherd

Dear Members,

We hope you are enjoying a good start to the summer season and the many activities it can encompass—shuttling children between camps; preparing a recent high school graduate for college; a trip to visit family and friends; or taking personal time at home to relax and recharge.

Delta Community has had a busy past six months, and our employees have completed a number of the critical initiatives that we planned for 2024. Given our not-for-profit, cooperative structure, our responsibility is to deliver consistent, exceptional support and value on the critical financial services that we all need to manage our respective households and save for the future. Our employees have been particularly mindful of this difference in light of inflationary pressures affecting the economy.

Here is a summary of our recent efforts:

  • Competitive deposit and loan rates. We continue to manage our rates and fees proactively to ensure that our pricing is among the most attractive in the marketplace. Our current yields on certificates of deposit match or exceed those of online-only providers and offer members a means to optimize their earnings on savings. Similarly, we have maintained our capacity to lend and are meeting the needs of members who are in the market for a new car, home or other significant purchase.
  • Expanded Checking Options. We introduced new checking products in early February. In addition to Free Checking, we now have Interest Checking and SpendSafe Checking®. Our SpendSafe® account represents a no-overdraft alternative with many of the features of Free Checking for a low monthly fee. And, as a benefit for teenagers and college students, we waive the monthly fee automatically from age 13 to 22.
  • Streamlined Loan Application Process. We deployed a new, state-of-the-art consumer loan origination system in late February to further enable a fast, intuitive and transparent experience for members. Borrowers can now take pictures of required documents and upload them online, as well as receive updates via text and email on the status of their request throughout the submission, underwriting and funding stages.
  • Additional Live Teller Locations. We converted three ATMs to Interactive Teller Machines (ITMs), which we brand Live Teller. We now have 24 Live Teller machines in place across 17 branches. Members can use these machines to interact with a human teller virtually for extended hours after our branches close.
  • Ongoing Branch Development. Construction began on the branch we have planned for Locust Grove, GA, and is on track to finish around year-end. We have leased a build-to-suit facility at 3300 Highway 42 South. The free-standing site will house our 30th branch in metro Atlanta; be in close proximity to 8,000 existing members; and feature 5,000 square feet of space, drive-thru service lanes and two ITMs. 

There are two other milestones worthy of quick mention here. We surpassed the 500,000 member mark in late January and earned a record-high NetPromoter Score® of 80% in the annual member survey that we conduct through Raddon Financial each March. As you likely know, NetPromoter is a common measurement of a customer’s likelihood of recommending a business to someone else and an important benchmark that we use to track member satisfaction. As a result of your prior suggestions and feedback, Delta Community earned the top NetPromoter Score® nationally for the sixth consecutive year among the credit unions that participate in Raddon’s survey.

Our employees are truly gratified by our work and seek to build life-long relationships with all members. Thank you for the opportunity to serve you, and let us know whenever we can be of further help.

Best wishes for a safe, fun Fourth of July holiday.

Matthew Shepherd

Chief Operating Officer

2025 Philanthropic Fund Now Open

Delta Community Philanthropic Recipients

The application period for the 2025 Philanthropic Fund grant awards is now open! This annual grant-making program provides financial support to registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations in the 16-county metro Atlanta region we serve as well as our three branch communities outside of Georgia. Throughout 2025, Delta Community will distribute a total of $150,000 through the Fund to 20 non-profit organizations committed to the health and well-being of young people, financial literacy and educational programs focused on science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEM/STEAM).

Interested organizations can review the 2025 Philanthropic Fund grant guidelines and submit an application on our website by August 30, 2024.

Make Life More Rewarding with the Visa Signature® Card

mom and young son in pool on vacation

Get more out of life with the Delta Community Visa Signature® Credit Card! This card offers a way to earn more rewards and extraordinary benefits, including contactless technology, travel discounts and access to unique experiences, all with no annual fee. You'll also earn 1.5x Reward Points per $1 spent, equivalent to 1.5% Cash Back, and a 1.5% Cash Rebate on Balance Transfers made within 90 days of account opening.

As a welcome bonus, you’ll get 15,000 bonus Reward Points, equivalent to $150, when you spend $3,500 within 90 days of account opening.1 To learn more and apply, visit DeltaCommunityCU.com/Signature or stop by a branch to speak to a Delta Community representative. 

$15,000 Awarded to Three HBCU Students

Delta Community HBCU Scholarship Recipients

In June, Delta Community and Atlanta radio station V-103 presented our first HBCU Scholarships of 2024, awarding $5,000 each to Jordan Caldwell, Amir Rowser and Sydney Catron. We were honored to meet Jordan and Amir at a special on-site ceremony at Delta Community’s headquarters, where we presented their checks in person. 

Jordan Caldwell is a senior at Clark Atlanta University, majoring in art. She plans to become an illustrator and the first female Black animated film director. She is a 2023 Walt Disney UNCF Corporate Scholar, previously participating in an internship opportunity reserved for high-achieving African American college students interested in the entertainment industry. Caldwell has a 3.8 GPA and is a member of the Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society. She is involved with the Collegiate 100, a campus-based student organization, where she helps coordinate mentoring events for local high school students.

Amir Rowser graduated from South Atlanta High School this spring. Although he is beginning his first year of college at Fort Valley State University in the fall, he is entering as a junior due to credits earned from dual enrollment. Rowser is co-chair of the Dukes Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to youth mentoring. He has recorded more than 200 hours of community service and ranks third in his class with a 4.0 GPA. Rowser is also a member of Future Business Leaders of America and Health Occupations Students of America.

Sydney Catron will be an incoming freshman at Spelman College, where she plans to major in biology/pre-med with a minor in Spanish. A 2024 graduate from Mount Paran Christian in Kennesaw, Georgia, she aspires to become an obstetrician/gynecologist and bring healthcare to overlooked and underrepresented communities. Catron has maintained a 4.1 GPA and completed an internship with the Kennesaw Gynecology practice this semester. She is part of the National Honor Society, a National Spanish Honor Society inductee and a recipient of the National African American Recognition Program’s Outstanding Academic Achievement Award.

Throughout 2024, Delta Community will award a total of $25,000 in scholarships to students attending historically Black colleges and universities. The HBCU Scholarship is part of our annual Scholarship Program. Visit our website to learn more about all of the scholarships we offer.

WABE Debuts My Money Mentors, Sponsored by Delta Community

Delta Community and WABE My Money Mentors

Delta Community is thrilled to sponsor "My Money Mentors," a fresh and engaging financial docu-reality series designed to make financial literacy enjoyable and empowering for Millennials and Gen-Z. Airing on WABE, Atlanta’s NPR and PBS affiliate, "My Money Mentors" features financial experts Jacqueline Schadeck and Chris Corinthian as they guide young adults through crucial financial milestones and challenges. With a focus on fun and engagement, each episode sees the duo working with a mentee to tackle financial obstacles, address mental and emotional barriers and enhance financial literacy, ultimately empowering them to take control of their financial future.

“My Money Mentors is a great addition to WABE’s programming, and viewers will relate to the common financial issues being addressed and benefit from the expert, actionable advice provided,” says Hank Halter, Delta Community’s Chief Executive Officer. “As a not-for-profit, service-oriented financial cooperative, Delta Community strives to deliver exceptional support, value and counsel on the banking services consumers need through every stage of life. We respect Jacqueline and Chris's passion and skill as independent hosts and are pleased to help bring the show to air.”  

Catch "My Money Mentors" on WABE, or stream it on WABE’s website, mobile app, Hulu + Live, YouTube TV and other popular platforms. Join us in making financial literacy a fun and empowering journey!

Help Delta Community Stuff-the-Bus with WSB-TV

Stuff-the-Bus

Get ready to Stuff-the-Bus for kids in need! Every year, WSB-TV hosts the Stuff-the-Bus event across various locations in metro Atlanta, collecting school supplies for children in foster and group homes.

Delta Community is proud to partner with WSB-TV in this effort, and we have set up donation bins at many of our local branches to gather essential supplies, including:

  • New youth and adult backpacks, preferably clear
  • Pencils, pens, markers, crayons, mechanical pencils
  • Planners
  • Erasers
  • Rulers
  • Small calculators
  • Spiral notebooks
  • Glue sticks
  • Highlighters
  • Pencil sharpeners and pencil boxes
  • Two-pocket folders and three-ring binders
  • Index cards
  • Safety scissors

Donations will be accepted at our branches until July 13. If you miss this date, you can still contribute by bringing your donations to the Stuff-the-Bus event at our Vinings Branch on Saturday, July 27, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Join us in helping children start the new school year with everything they need!

Live Life Colorfully with a Personal Loan

family playing at water park

Need a little extra cash? The Delta Community Personal Loan offers flexible spending perfect for just about anything. We offer great low rates, a variety of repayment options and fixed terms with no annual fee. With a Personal Loan, you can take a dream vacation, finance home improvements, cover household expenses, consolidate high-interest debt,2 fund automobile repairs or whatever you need.

The benefits of a Personal Loan from Delta Community go beyond having extra cash. They include a super-fast approval process and quick access to your funds—all from a lender you can trust. Log in to Online Banking or our Mobile App to apply, or call our Loan Consultants at 844-544-9478 today!

Plan Your Everything with Delta Community Retirement & Investment Services

family greeting each other

Whether you want to kickstart your financial future or refine your current strategy, we have you covered with Delta Community Retirement & Investment Services. Connect with a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional who will take the time to get to know your needs and help you create a plan for wherever you are right now. This team’s main objective is to ensure members are not only investing in their current life journey but also making wise financial decisions through the many important stages of life.3

To learn more visit DeltaCommunityCU.com/PlanYourEverything or to schedule an appointment or request more information, please email DCRIS@DeltaCommunityCU.com or call 404-677-4890.

Financial Education Center Seminars

At Delta Community, we know that knowledge is the key to reaching your financial goals and establishing good financial habits. That’s why we’re offering a series of workshops each month focusing on a different aspect of personal finance. Whether you’re planning for a major milestone or trying to better manage your finances, our Financial Education Center offers the tools to help you achieve financial success.

Join us for our July workshop series, Managing Credit and Debt, where we’ll cover ways to improve your credit, strategies for managing debt, how to make informed borrowing decisions and best practices for using credit cards. 

  • July 9: Planning for Money Milestones | Live Webinar by BALANCE
  • July 11: Ways to Improve Credit | Live Webinar
  • July 17: How to Manage Debt | Live Webinar
  • July 18: Planning for Money Milestones | Live Webinar by BALANCE
  • July 23: Making a Debt Payoff Plan | In-Person Workshop
  • July 25: Borrowing Wisely | Live Webinar
  • July 31: Using Credit Cards Wisely | Live Webinar 

 Check our Events & Seminars page for more information on upcoming seminars.

Monthly Blogs

Financial Status

As of May 31, 2024

  • Assets: $8.6B
  • Deposits: $7.7B
  • Loans: $5.6B
  • Members: 508,892

Holiday Closing

Independence Day, Closed

Thursday, July 4

Contact Us

Member Care: 800-544-3328
Home Loans: 866-963-7811
Locations

EVERYTHING YOUR BANK SHOULD BE™

1. The 15,000 Reward Points will be awarded if you spend a net total of $3,500 in signature-based purchase transactions (without the use of a PIN) minus return transactions within 90 days of account opening. Balance transfers, money transfers, and cash advances do not count toward spend requirement. To qualify, purchases must post within 90 days of account opening. You will not qualify for this offer if you are in default of your Delta Community Visa Consumer Credit Card Agreement. To receive points, account must be in good standing, with deposit balances above zero dollars, any applicable loan payments current, and all accounts in compliance with any other terms, conditions and governing requirements.

2. For debt consolidation, even with a lower interest rate or lower monthly payment, paying debt over a longer period of time may result in the payment of more in interest.

3. Securities and Advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a Registered Investment Advisor. Member FINRA/SIPC. Insurance products offered through LPL Financial or its licensed affiliates. The investment products sold through LPL Financial are not insured Delta Community Credit Union deposits and are not NCUA insured. These products are not obligations of Delta Community Credit Union and are not endorsed, recommended or guaranteed by Delta Community Credit Union or any government agency. The value of the investment may fluctuate, the return on the investment is not guaranteed, and loss of principal is possible. Delta Community Credit Union and Delta Community Retirement & Investment Services are not registered broker/dealers and are not affiliated with LPL Financial.