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After 70 years of good service and fair rates, Neighbors Federal Credit Union is still the same homegrown business—just with the latest technology to make financial decisions even easier for customers.
“We are really focused on making sure we leverage technology and emerging technology where it makes sense to continue to deliver outstanding service for our members,” says President and CEO Steve Webb.
Historically, Neighbors was the first institution in the marketplace to become fully automated with integrated teller machines in 2017. Last year, they implemented a test of a new AI-powered chatbot to serve as an internal language model and help employees answer questions. The product is expected to fully roll out during the first quarter of 2024.
AT A GLANCE
Top executives: Steve Webb, President/CEO
Phone: 225.819.2178
Address: 12529 Perkins Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70810
Website: neighborsfcu.org
“Our philosophy and strategy is how do we create this nice marriage between the utilization of technology—but when you come to visit us, you get a warm, personal experience,” says Webb.
Customers who walk in the front door of any of Neighbors’ 11 branches are greeted face to face by an employee, along with Community Coffee Monday through Friday.
Technological services—from the integrated teller machines to touchscreen displays and cash recyclers, are always present—but “you’re getting that Baton Rouge hospitality feeling when you walk in the branch,” adds Webb.
Vice President of Marketing Brett Reynolds says Neighbors’ mission going forward is “technology powered by people.” The human aspect will never be lost, but instead staff have been able to take on different roles and skillsets to prepare for the future. “We let technology assist with the simple things so that our people can have those in-depth and more engaging conversations with our members,” Reynolds says.
Offering a consistent experience throughout multiple locations can be a challenge. “A member, regardless of whether they are visiting a branch in Zachary or Prairieville, will be interacting with the same employee and get the same experience,” says Reynolds.
Neighbors is also continuing to honor its origins by giving back to education in the school systems in its service area.
The credit union began in March of 1954, when five teachers joined together and chartered Baton Rouge Teachers Federal Credit Union with only $150. It has since grown to $1.2 billion and 75,000 members. Neighbors has two locations inside high schools, including the Wildcat Branch at Walker and Central. Each are full-service locations staffed by an employee and open to the public. Students get credit for working in these locations and learn job and financial skills at the same time.
The Neighbors Capital Area Foundation awards project grants for public schools, while the Neighbors Way Tuition Assistance Award offers a $50,000 scholarship to students in the Greater Baton Rouge area. Public school grants have resulted in campus beautification projects, the start of new programs like film classes, new sound and AV equipment and playground equipment.
“We have a commitment to community service just as much as we do technology,” says Reynolds. “Now that banking is in the palm of your hand, our members can access our services anywhere, but we still want to provide that personalized service that goes back to our roots.”
FROM THE PRESIDENT
Steve Webb
At Neighbors FCU, we are proud to be celebrating 70 years of service. Every day we strive to make a positive impact on our members and our communities. Over 80,000 people in the Greater Baton Rouge area call Neighbors their financial service provider. We remain committed to offering competitive rates on deposits and loans, while delivering superior member service. Started in 1954 as Baton Rouge Teachers Federal Credit Union, our organization was rooted in education. It’s with this in mind that we created the Neighbors Capital Area Foundation, which annually distributes more than $100,000 in scholarships and public school grants throughout our service area. These values have made us successful in the past and will continue to guide us into the future.
