Poll gives NorState service high rank

    MADAWASKA — Credit unions exist to serve members, and the Callahan & Associates Return to the Member (ROM) scoring system is designed to measure how well credit unions live up to this task.
    According to the Callahan and Associates Credit Union Strategy and Performance publication for the third quarter of 2009, NorState Federal Credit Union has again achieved high ranks and placed in the top 10 percent in the nation for Return to Members.     The index published by Callahan and Associates measures how well a credit union is delivering value to its members by providing a rank within the credit union’s peer group.
    Complex financial analysis calculates Return to Member scores in three key components.
    Ranked 34th in the nation, NorState FCU is recognized in the top 10 percentile of credit unions with assets between $100 million and $250 million. There are a total of 708 credit unions that fall into this category in the U.S.
    David Rossignol, CEO of NorState, explained that this national recognition amongst peers is noteworthy for the members of NorState.
    “In today’s dynamic market, NorState FCU must be flexible to adapt quickly to change. As an experienced provider who understands the members’ unique financial requirements, we continue to maintain a world-class credit union using resources, services and technologies necessary to remain successful as our membership grows and changes,” said Rossignol.
    High marks for Return to Members proves that NorState continues to gain momentum because the members realize the value of the credit union’s cooperative movement.
    Beyond the advantages of better rates and lower fees, the real advantages and successes come from the ‘ownership’ that is realized by the members who participate in their own interests and not those of an ‘institution.’
    Dr. David Mitchel, chairman of NorState’s Board of Directors, stated, “Norstate is proud to consistently be selected as one of the top performing credit unions in the country. Credit unions were created to provide financial services to people at lower cost than banks, and to people unable to obtain services from banks. The recent result from the Callahan ranking system is validation that we are making the right decisions when it comes to offering members better rates, lower fees and cutting-edge services and products.”
    NorState Federal Credit Union, with assets over $150 million and 12, 500+ members strong has offices in Madawaska, Presque Isle, Van Buren, Fort Kent, Ashland and Eagle Lake and 24/7 home-banking access at www.norstatefcu.org.