CUNA News
  • LOG IN
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • LOG IN
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • Topics
    • Community Service
    • Compliance
    • Credit Union Hero
    • Credit Union Rock Star
    • Credit Union System
    • Directors
    • Human Resources
    • Leadership
    • Lending
    • Marketing
    • Operations
    • Policy & Issues
    • Sales & Service
    • Technology
  • Credit Union Magazine
    • Buyers' Guide
    • COVID-19
    • Digital Edition
    • Credit Union Hero
    • Credit Union Rock Star
    • Subscribe
    • Advertise
    • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Awards
    • Nominate Credit Union Hero
    • Nominate Credit Union Rock Star
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Jobs
  • Contact

News

Home » Helping those who serve us
Leadership CU Rock Stars 2022

Helping those who serve us

The Finest Federal’s Keith Stone works overtime to make life easier for the NYPD.

September 23, 2022
Brock Fritz
No Comments
Keith Stone

Keith Stone has been at The Finest Federal Credit Union since day one, serving as president/CEO while the New York City-based credit union has grown from $2 million assets and zero members in January 2015 to $24 million assets and 6,800 members today.

It’s been an interesting ride for Stone, who was working at a credit union in Brooklyn in the late 2000s when he was approached by Paul McCormack, who was then deputy inspector for the New York Police Department (NYPD).

“He wanted to know why the New York City Police Department, the largest police force in the world, didn’t have its own credit union,” Stone recalls.

The economic crisis delayed the project, but The Finest Federal was officially chartered in January 2015 to serve members of the New York City and New York state law enforcement community. 

It’s been a perfect fit for Stone, who sought out the credit union atmosphere since working at a community credit union while attending Brooklyn College. He spent time at various financial institutions before “This project came back into my life, and this is where I’m meant to be.”

Meet the 2022 Credit Union Rock Stars

Many of The Finest Federal’s members come via recruit orientations. New NYPD recruits need about $2,000 for equipment, so The Finest Federal offers a rookie equipment loan and gets the funds to the member in a couple business days.

“They have a lot of difficulties ahead. We want to make one thing easier,” Stone says. “Our board of directors is all active and retired NYPD personnel—a team of people who know how our field of membership lives, what they need, and how they should be served. That’s what dictates our business.”

Stone, who enjoys photography and spending time with his wife and four kids, believes smaller credit unions can’t be afraid to think big.

“I love what we do,” he says. “We have to continue helping people and making sure our members know they’re not just a number. We are a proud CDFI (Community Development Financial Institution) credit union and love having the opportunity to help our diverse law enforcement membership.”

Hear more from Stone and fellow Rock Star Wendy Tariff in the CUNA News Podcast episode titled "Serving our nation's finest."

Back Rock Stars Next

 

KEYWORDS CDFI Credit Union Rock Stars financial well-being small credit unions

Post a comment to this article

Report Abusive Comment

Credit Union Magazine: Spring 2023

Spring 2023

Credit Union Magazine’s Spring 2023 issue features the 2023 Credit Union Heroes and examines CUNA-League advocacy priorities, board leadership, the impact of financial well-being efforts, fee-related compliance issues, predictions for the year ahead, and more.
Digital Edition •  Subscribe

Trending

  • CUNA Mascot Madness: Voting opens for East Region

  • Mascot Madness: East winner crowned; Midwest voting opens

  • League leaders highlight credit union difference, safety, soundness

Tweets by CUNA_News

Polls

CUNA Mascot Madness: Which Midwest Region mascot is your favorite?

View Results
More

Champion for the Credit Union Movement

Credit Union National Association is the most influential financial services trade association and the only national association that advocates on behalf of all of America's credit unions. We work tirelessly to protect your best interests in Washington and all 50 states. We fuel your professional growth at every level and champion the credit union story at every turn.

More CUNA

  • Membership
  • Contact Us
  • Careers

Resources for

  • Credit Union Advocates
  • Leagues
  • Press
  • Providers

Our Affiliates

  • American Association of Credit Union Leagues (AACUL)
  • Credit Union Awareness
  • Credit Union House
  • CUNA Strategic Services
  • National Credit Union Foundation
GET CUNA UPDATES
© 2023 Credit Union National Association | ADA Compliance Notice & Legal
Email Us