Connex CU Logo

Dear Members,

As we wrap up the third quarter of 2025, and our 85th year, I’m proud to reflect on the progress we’ve made together. To everyone who has taken part in any of the 85th anniversary events or taken advantage of our share certificate specials, including the limited-time 4.“85”% share certificate special, thank you!  These offers are part of our continued commitment to provide competitive rates – not only to reward our loyal members, but also to welcome new ones and deepen existing relationships. As a financial intermediary, member deposits are critical to our ability to provide financing opportunities to those members that need them, so please consider enhancing your relationship with us by taking advantage of this current anniversary special before it expires later this week. Rest assured, we will have an attractive deposit special around the Thanksgiving holiday period for those that have additional funds to save before the holiday spending takes over.

This year has been filled with meaningful achievements, including the substantial efforts we’ve made in expanding our community impact, enhancing our digital banking services, and continuing to support you with the financial tools you need to achieve your financial possibilities. We are grateful to all our employees who have made the efforts in each of these areas, as well as the everyday tasks they accomplish that don’t get mentioned but keep your level of trust and satisfaction in Connex strong and lasting.  

That trust in Connex allows us to grow even stronger as a cooperative, and I’m delighted to share a few highlights from the past quarter with you.

Pathways^TM Checking: Bank On Certified, Now With No Monthly Fee!

I’m thrilled to share that Connex’s Pathways™ Checking has once again earned national “Bank On” certification from the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund. The Bank On initiative works to ensure that everyone has access to safe, affordable financial products and services. Our Pathways Checking account is designed with you in mind, offering: a free VISA^® debit card, no overdraft or nonsufficient fund fees, no minimum balance requirement, and free bill pay with the ability to pay bills at no cost. 

As of July 1, 2025, we’ve eliminated the $4.95 monthly fee. This is just one more way Connex is “banking for your possibilities” by looking out for you and working to make your banking experience simpler, safer, and better. If Pathways Checking feels right for you, you can open an account online or at any Connex branch.

Zelle^® Planned for Later This Year

I’m also excited to announce that we are introducing the popular Zelle^® application by the end of this year. Zelle^® is a quick and secure way to send and receive money with friends, family, and people you trust using Online and Mobile Banking.

With just an email address or U.S. mobile phone number, you can move money in minutes between bank accounts. Best of all, it’s completely free for our members. And there are no extra apps to download once you’re enrolled. Your account details stay private, with only your recipient seeing your name, email, or mobile number.

Keep an eye out for updates on how to enroll and start using Zelle^® with your Connex account. It’s just one more way we’re making your money move at the speed of life.

Updated Mobile and Online Banking Platform Coming Soon!

I’m eager to see the new and improved Digital Banking experience that is on the way! Both our Online and Mobile Banking platforms are being updated to feature a new, modern design with simplified navigation designed to make it easier than ever to find what you need. You’ll also have the option to personalize your homepage, so your most important accounts and features are always front and center, and consistent across all platforms. 

These updates are also designed to give you more control, more convenience, and a smoother way to manage your money anytime, anywhere. Watch for the launch of our enhanced Online and Mobile Banking experience in the coming weeks!

ConnexCares Awards $30,000 in Grants

From January through June of 2025, ConnexCares received dozens of applications from inspiring local organizations, and our ConnexCares Board faced the very difficult task of selecting which would receive funding. In the end, six nonprofit organizations were awarded grants, and ConnexCares proudly contributed a total of $30,000 in charitable funds. The recipients included:

• Community Dining Room of Branford – provides meals to more than 3,000 residents along the shoreline of New Haven County.
• Timely Treasures of New Haven – supports caregivers of children who have lost a family member.
• City Seed, Inc. of New Haven – engages the community in building a local, sustainable food system.
• Charlotte’s Web of Prayer of Cheshire – helps families with children suffering from serious and life-threatening illnesses.
• ConnCorp, LLC, of Hamden – delivers high-quality business education that empowers participants to sustain and grow their ventures.
• Change is in The Air Foundation of Woodbridge – creates equitable access to cultural experiences, career opportunities, and financial education.

As President and CEO of Connex, I am thankful to the ConnexCares Board for their thoughtful review and commitment throughout this process. It is truly rewarding to see the positive impact we can make by supporting such remarkable nonprofits in their tireless efforts to uplift our communities. The next grant window begins in October. Click here for more information.

ConnexCares Awards $30,000 in Scholarships

The ConnexCares Scholarship Program is committed to supporting students pursuing higher education. This year, we again offered 15 scholarships from our original 4, increasing our commitment to our communities by supporting young adults in their selected careers.

I am proud to share with you the names of the following students selected as $2,000 scholarship recipients in recognition of their achievements and potential to make an impact in their chosen fields: the John R. Edwards Community Involvement Scholarship was awarded to Eljah Barnhart of Wallingford; the Nicolas G. Hackett Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Giada Garofalo of North Haven; the Arthur B. Haesche Scholarship was awarded to Lia Butts of Wallingford; the David F. Clark Arts and Music Scholarship was awarded to Julia Macri of Greenwich; the Merit Scholarships for Hartford, New Haven, Middlesex and Fairfield County were awarded to Adriana Stranieri of Westbrook, Bohdan Zazulak of Milford, Carter Lagesse of Wallingford, Kayla Page of Wolcott, Kevin Frost of Northford, and Natalie Gallo of West Haven; the Merit Scholarships for the towns of New Haven, West Haven and Hamden were awarded to Aryan Singla of Hamden, Audrey Doyle of New Haven, Kayla Jackson of Hamden, Kaylee Sellner of West Haven, and Taniya Gatison of Hamden.

These deserving student members can use the money towards tuition and other school-related expenses. ConnexCares awards scholarships on an annual basis and will begin accepting applications again in January for the 2026 school year. To be eligible, a student or immediate family member must be a member of Connex in good standing as of December 31, 2025. Click here to learn more about the scholarship program.

ConnexCares in the Community

On August 14^th, ConnexCares proudly supported New Haven’s Sam Tilery Back-to-School Rally at Bowen Field. Alongside many community organizations, we provided valuable information and distributed thousands of free school supplies to the nearly 4,000 parents, guardians, and children in attendance. It is truly rewarding to give back to our communities and support our children as they prepare for a new school year. Wishing all students a successful and enjoyable year ahead!

During this past quarter, our volunteerism has continued to abound. Our employees have donated their time building walls for a new home in New Haven for Habitat for Humanity, participated in sorting diapers and personal hygiene products for families in need at The Connecticut Diaper Bank, and helped to sort and organize food donations for Master’s Manna of Wallingford after a food drive.

I am incredibly grateful to our employees for their dedication and commitment to making a difference in the communities we serve. If your non-profit organization has volunteer opportunities, please contact LeAndre Dupree, AVP of Community Development, at [email protected]

Protecting Yourself From Fraudulent Activity

Recently, we’ve learned that some Connex members have received fraudulent phone calls from individuals posing as Connex Credit Union employees. These calls may appear legitimate, sometimes even displaying our name and phone number, but caller ID can be manipulated and should not be relied upon to verify identity. In some cases, fraudsters have also triggered “Push Notifications” on members’ mobile phones and asked them to respond.

Please remember: Connex will never call, email, or text you to request sensitive information such as your PIN, mother’s maiden name, passwords, security codes, account numbers, usernames, Social Security number, or birth date.

To further safeguard your accounts, Connex uses enhanced security features for Online and Mobile Banking. Multifactor Authentication (MFA) adds an extra layer of protection by confirming both your login credentials and your device. If we don’t recognize the device you’re using, you’ll be asked to verify your identity with a one-time code sent to your registered phone via text or voice call. You can register up to two phones to receive these codes. This process doesn’t limit your access; it simply ensures only you can log in securely.

Our security standards are designed to help protect your information while making it safer and easier to manage your money. We also continue to train our staff and educate our members on how to recognize and avoid fraud.

Have you heard of the term “Phishing”? Phishing is a type of cybercrime where scammers impersonate legitimate sources, like Connex, through deceptive emails, text messages, or websites to trick individuals into revealing sensitive information, such as passwords, bank account details, or credit card numbers. This stolen information is then used for malicious purposes, like stealing money or identities. The term “phishing” is a play on the word “fishing,” as attackers use “bait” (fake messages) to “lure” victims into falling for the scam. 

The top Phishing email red flags include: 1. Urgent or threatening language, for example: “Your account will be suspended!” 2. Suspicious Sender Address: Email appears to be from a known company, but the domain is slightly off (e.g., @micr0soft.com instead of @microsoft.com). 3. Unexpected attachments or links, especially if you weren’t expecting the email or the file type is unusual (e.g., .exe, .scr, .zip). 4. Generic Greetings: “Dear Customer” or “Dear User” instead of your actual name. 5. Spelling and grammar mistakes: Professional organizations usually proofread their communications. 6. Requests for Sensitive Information: Legitimate companies will never ask for passwords, Social Security numbers, or credit card details via email. 7. Mismatched URLs: Hover over links to see where they really go. If the URL doesn’t match the context of the email, it’s likely a scam. 8. Too Good to Be True Offers Example: “Claim your $1,000 gift card now!” 9. Spoofed Branding: Logos and formatting may look official, but small inconsistencies can give them away.

If you ever receive a suspicious call, text, or email, hang up and don’t respond. Contact Connex directly. If you believe your account may be at risk, call us right away at 1-800-CR-UNION or (203) 603-5700.

Net Promoter Survey

At Connex, our mission through Customer Advocacy is to meet the needs of our members and help improve their financial lives. One way we stay connected is through our annual Net Promoter Survey. This survey asks one key question: “Would you recommend Connex Credit Union to a family member or friend?”

While that is the central question, the survey also invites you to share what you value most about being a Connex member, why you chose us over others, and how we can continue to improve our service to you. Your feedback helps us strengthen our role as your trusted financial partner, a role we’ve proudly upheld for 85 years as a member-owned cooperative.

This year’s survey was sent on September 22^nd, by an independent research firm that will collect and tabulate the results. By participating, you’ll help us grow and serve you even better. As a thank you, ten randomly selected members will receive a $50 bonus. We look forward to hearing from you and truly appreciate your continued support.

As we enter the final quarter of 2025, I look forward to continuing Connex’s journey of innovation and growth. This year, Connex celebrates 85 years of serving our members and communities. Since 1940, we’ve been committed to helping individuals achieve their financial possibilities, and I look forward to continuing that legacy for generations to come.