Established June 2, 1955, Hartford Hospital Employees Credit Union, renamed Hartford Healthcare Credit Union in 1993, and Hartford Healthcare Federal Credit Union in 2006, began during a time of optimism and growth. As part of the growth, the credit union gave hard-working people employed at the hospital an opportunity to control their financial lives and plan for their future. Since then, our guiding principle has been to provide products that allow members to manage their finances, while delivering exceptional service.
We are a not-for-profit, financial institution, with a volunteer board of directors, and our members are owners not just customers, and each member has a vote. Our profits are re-invested in our members in the form of lower rates on loans and lower fees on products and services.
In 2018, we changed our name from Hartford Healthcare Federal Credit Union to Wellness Federal Credit Union. Our new name was representative of our 2016 Charter change expanding our field of membership to all employees, independent contractors, or self-employed persons who work regularly in the health care industry throughout the State of Connecticut.
Today, we offer a comprehensive list of products and services including, checking with debit card, online banking, mobile app, mobile check deposit, bill pay, secure message communication, secure file upload, and so much more.
We are dedicated to encouraging overall financial well-being and strive to bring value to every member. Our focus is built on safety and soundness. We are financially stable and we continuously invest in products and services that ensure member funds and data are secure. Additionally, member deposits are insured up to $250,000 by the National Credit Union Administration.
With the holidays fast approaching, fraud on the rise, and an ever-growing use of digital technology, I’d like to take a minute to go over how to best protect your personal data.
Digital technology has had a tremendous impact on the credit union industry and the speed with which financial institutions provide services to members. Online and mobile banking have become an integral part of our daily lives, and fraudsters are constantly looking for ways to steal your personal information and money.
Security of our digital channels is always our top priority, and we use a combination of technology, experience, and industry best practices to protect our systems. Below are some tips you can implement to keep your data and account safe.
- Password
- Use strong passwords, the longer and more complex the better
- Avoid using easily identifiable words for passwords (i.e., birthdate, name, address etc.)
- Change passwords regularly
- Do not share passwords or one-time passcodes
- Establish unique passwords for each site
- Use two-factor authentication when prompted
- Monitor accounts regularly
- Utilize account ALERTS to keep informed of account activity
- Freeze/Unfreeze your WFCU debit card if you temporarily misplace card
- Monitor credit report – available free annually from www.annualcreditreport.com
- Perform recommended mobile app and computer software updates
- Be alert to phishing scams. Phishing scams often portray an emergency, request immediate action, and often sound too good to be true. Keep up on the latest scams on the FTC’s website https://consumer.ftc.gov/identity-theft-and-online-security
I am confident that with our ongoing investment in security and your diligence, our digital channels will continue to enhance access to your accounts and add value to your credit union experience.
For more information on keeping your data safe and protecting you from scams, visit Federal Trade Commissions Consumer Advice pages regularly. www.consumer.ftc.gov
If you have questions or concerns, please reach out to me at contactus@wellnessfcu.org. As always, we appreciate the opportunity to serve your financial needs and the trust you put in us.
Best Regards,
Cheryl A. Calabrese
Chief Executive Officer
Wellness Federal Credit Union
Board of Directors
- Raymond Kowalski, Chairperson
- Sally Moore, Secretary
- Patricia Wettlaufer, Treasurer
- Steven Ross
- Angel Rentas
Supervisory Committee
- Mark Cesaro
- Novelette Spence