Dear fellow members, board of directors, friends, and colleagues,

As the new Chair of the Board of OAS FCU, I am honored to serve this cooperative community—a community where members find refuge, support, and tangible solutions to the financial challenges they face.

Reflecting on the past year, I am proud to share the significant milestones and accomplishments we achieved together, even as financial, social, and political systems were tested globally. This year has been one of transition, growth, and adaptability, made possible by the dedication of our Board, staff, volunteers, and management.

We welcomed new Board members whose perspectives will help guide us into the future, while expressing our deepest gratitude to our outgoing Chair, Vice Chair, and Board members for their exceptional service. I would like to give special recognition to K. C. Soares for her outstanding leadership, particularly in developing the Volunteer Leadership Training Program and earning national recognition as Volunteer of the Year—a testament to the vital role our volunteers play in our success.

Building on the solid foundation of past achievements, this year we remained focused on sustainable growth, innovation, and continuous improvement. Our vision remains clear: to position the OAS Credit Union as a leader in global financial inclusion, technological innovation, and cooperative-driven growth.

Key Accomplishments This Year:

• Expanding Member-Centric Services: We broadened financial service access to diverse communities, ensuring secure, personalized, and seamless banking experiences.
• Modernizing Products and Services: We enhanced our offerings to remain competitive in an evolving financial landscape.
• Strengthening Financial Stability: Prudent financial management and responsible lending have kept our financial indicators strong while driving sustainable growth.
• Building Strategic Partnerships: We deepened collaborations with our SEG partners to address economic challenges and foster long-term trust.

As we continue to navigate the uncertainty surrounding the political and financial environments, our shared commitment remains focused on strengthening member trust and delivering meaningful benefits to every member. These achievements would not be possible without the unwavering dedication of our volunteers, Board, CEO, management, and staff.

Innovations Ahead:
We are excited to introduce Clara, our new Virtual Teller Assistant at the Global Access Branch. Through state-of-the-art technology, Clara will assist members with:

• Co-browsing
• Screen sharing
• Live video chat
• Chatbot services

In addition, we have undergone an internal reorganization to better align our operations with the fast pace of change in the financial services sector and to seize emerging opportunities.

Aside from our continued efforts to improve products and services, OAS FCU also worked to give back to our communities.  A few exemplary activities I would like to highlight are:

Community Impact & Strategic Initiatives – 2024:

• Inclusion Innovator Recognition: OASFCU was honored by Green Path Financial Wellness as the 2024 Inclusion Innovator for our commitment to inclusive outreach, ensuring services are accessible and meaningful across all generations.
• The Biodiversity Project: Our Green Committee, in collaboration with the OAS and other partners, advanced our environmental sustainability goals through the Biodiversity Project.
• Living Inclusion – Our DEI Commitment: While many institutions have scaled back formal DEI programs, OAS FCU remains firmly committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion—not as a policy, but as a core value rooted in our founding mission. We continue to:
  • Engage actively with our trade associations
  • Support the CEO’s leadership in network-level advocacy
  • Develop strategic plans to address emerging advocacy issues

Supporting Members Amid Budget Uncertainty: In collaboration with the OAS Staff Association, HR, and the Retirement and Pension Fund, we offered tailored support services such as Skip-a-Payment options, financial counseling, notarization, and mortgage forbearance to members facing financial challenges.

Anticipating the future– Strategic Plan 2025-2027:
In partnership with the Board, management, and volunteers, we have developed a strategic roadmap to guide us over the next two years, focusing on:

1. Expanding membership through mission-driven outreach.
2. Deepening member insights to foster organic growth and loyalty.
3. Ensuring long-term financial sustainability through a comprehensive revenue model.
4. Strengthening organizational culture rooted in empathy, collaboration, and innovation.
5. Advancing risk management to balance innovation and service excellence.

Looking forward, I am confident that with this dedicated team, the OAS Credit Union will continue to grow as a globally recognized institution, steadfast in our mission to empower members and foster financial security.

Thank you for your trust and partnership. Together, we are building a stronger, more resilient credit union for all.

Yours truly,

Yadira Pinilla