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RadiFi Credit Union's new CFO charts growth strategy focused on education over mergers. RadiFi Credit Union's new CFO charts growth strategy focused on education over mergers (Courtesy of the Jacksonville Business Journal) - National banks and community institutions crowd Northeast Florida's financial ecosystem. Though not the region's biggest, RadiFi Credit Union is betting its next phase of growth will arrive by blending education and a community-first ethos to stand out against competition. That's according to Daniela Neacsu, the neighborhood credit union's newly installed chief financial officer. She described a middle market advantage - large enough to invest in the latest analytics and tools but small enough to be nimble and move quickly. It's been under two months since Neacsu moved to the First Coast, joining after more than seven years in Allen, Texas with Community American Credit Union. Her stance on what growth means is rooted in healthy skepticism. Specifically, skepticism about whether mergers and consolidations bring true expansions for financial institutions - a trend sweeping the industry today, she said. Before migrating to the Sunshine State, Neacsu herself experienced a merger that rebranded UNIFY Financial Credit Union to CommunityAmerica Credit Union. She framed such strategic decisions as a double-edged sword: on one side, useful to expand impact but, on the other, risks pulling institutions away from their core mission. "I see my own development of RadiFi, especially knowing this growth stage [is] very deeply connected, one fuels the other," she said. "I believe the moment we stop growing is the moment we stop becoming relevant." Relevance is a core part of the credit union's strategy locally. RadiFi is among the region's largest credit unions with $710 million in assets with over 41,500 members. Last year it was the runner-up fastest-growing institution on the First Coast, with 5.91% deposit growth year-over-year, according to the latest National Credit Union Administration data. It ranked behind Community First Credit Union which saw 10.26% growth. When ranked by total deposits, it lands at No. 4 with $555.81 million - about $450 million behind the third seed, per National Credit Union Administration data. Neacsu's view reflects a certain kind of cautious approach being employed by the local credit union in this present moment. Leadership, she said, believes remaining independent allows it to move quicker, invest more directly in member relations and avoid some of the operational drag common when two large organizations merge. "The big institutions, they will not spend that much time on educating people at their level," she said. "We have that time, we can afford that. We can afford the time and the investment to make in our community." The CFO's read on Jacksonville, though still early, underscores how distinct the local market is from her previous role in Texas. Both regions see rapid population growth and credit union competition, but Neacsu described Northeast Florida as distinctly more competitive. RadiFi's in-between size, not the largest but still far from the smallest, gives it the agility to beat out opponents. Ultimately, the credit union's growth strategy plays straight into how it competes in Jacksonville. Instead of chasing scale at all costs through acquisitions, leadership is focused on relevance over many years, particularly as the area continues to grow. In the eyes of Neacsu, that happens by retaining organizational identity. "All these mergers that happen in the industry, it will be a risk for the credit union industry to move away from their main reason of existence," she said. "We don't want to be banks. We want to keep our main reason for existence: being close to our community and serve them."

CommunityAmerica Credit Union expands Junior Achievement BizTown(R) partnership with $1 million, five-year investment. KANSAS CITY, Kan. (May 13, 2026) - Junior Achievement of Greater Kansas City (JAKC) announced a renewed partnership with CommunityAmerica Credit Union, securing a $1 million investment that extends CommunityAmerica's role as the presenting sponsor and exclusive banking partner of Junior Achievement BizTown(R) for an additional five years, beginning Jan. 1, 2027. The renewal expands a long-standing partnership between the organizations, working together to advance economic opportunity and mobility for Kansas City youth. CommunityAmerica has supported JAKC as a trusted community partner through financial sponsorship and employee volunteerism. Together, they empower the next generation of leaders by building students' foundational skills through the JA BizTown program. "We've seen how early financial education can open doors for students, create lasting impact, and help them achieve their dreams," said Lisa Ginter, Chief Executive Officer of CommunityAmerica. "That's what continues to inspire our partnership with Junior Achievement. Through this $1 million commitment, we're expanding access to these experiences and helping more young people across Kansas City build confidence in their financial futures." "Our partnership with CommunityAmerica has transformed what's possible for students participating in Junior Achievement BizTown," said Megan Sturges, President and CEO of JAKC. "By investing in students now, we are equipping them with the skills, knowledge, and confidence that can shape the direction of their lives and strengthen the future of our community. This renewed investment deepens a partnership rooted in shared values and a belief in the potential of every young person." JA BizTown blends classroom learning with a day at JAKC's Youth Learning Lab, presented by the Mallouk Family Foundation. Students work as employees, consumers, and engaged citizens in a simulated economy. As the exclusive banking partner, CommunityAmerica plays a central role in teaching students foundational financial concepts and capabilities. Students operate a bank, manage money, and develop durable, transferrable skills that prepare them for lifelong financial confidence and economic mobility. Since opening its doors in 2021, JA BizTown has delivered measurable impact for students across the Kansas City region. Program Reach and Engagement: * 24,291 students served * 423,773 instructional hours delivered * 7,544 volunteers engaged * 72 school district and community partners served Student Outcomes: During the 2024-2025 school year, 84% of participating students improved their financial literacy skills and increased their understanding of the importance of saving, while 78% increased their career awareness and developed teamwork skills through interactive activities. 99% of teachers agreed that their students demonstrated the ability to work effectively with others, and 96% agreed that students demonstrated money management skills during the learning experience. Through this renewed five-year partnership, Junior Achievement of Greater Kansas City and CommunityAmerica will continue working together to expand economic opportunity for youth and support the development of tomorrow's workforce and community leaders. About Junior Achievement of Greater Kansas City: Since 1955, Junior Achievement of Greater Kansas City (JAKC) has partnered with school districts, employers, and community leaders to impact more than 925,000 students across the region, connecting classroom learning to authentic, relevant experiences. As the region's leading provider of experiential, career-connected learning, JAKC addresses the root causes that limit educational attainment and workforce access, including student disengagement, lack of relevance, and inequitable exposure to careers and financial knowledge. Guided by a long-term strategic vision focused on scale, sustainability, and systems change, JAKC deploys a continuum of proven solutions that equip young people with the skills, mindsets, and credentials needed for postsecondary success and meaningful employment to shift trajectories, strengthen the regional talent pipeline, and advance economic mobility for generations to come. Learn more at jagkc.org.