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Dear Members,

As we reach the halfway point of 2026, I am pleased to provide an update on Connex’s continued progress and the many ways we remain focused on delivering value for our members. The first half of the year has been filled with meaningful accomplishments, from supporting our members’ financial goals to strengthening the communities we proudly serve, along with our continued focus on providing exceptional service, and ensuring that Connex remains a trusted partner for our members today and into the future.

Community Lending Exceeds $3.3M

Connex has developed three dedicated lending programs designed to support homeownership among low-income and minority communities. Our Community Lending strategy has also expanded outreach to real estate professionals, community partners, and prospective homebuyers, helping us build stronger relationships and increase access to homeownership opportunities.

To further support education and preparedness, we expanded our First-Time Homebuyer workshops to offer evening sessions in addition to our Lunch & Learn programs. This relationship-driven approach has strengthened community connections, enhanced the member experience, and reinforced Connex’s commitment to creating sustainable paths to homeownership.

I am excited to share that, so far this year, we have provided more than $3.3 million in community lending to low-to-moderate income and minority members. This represents a significant milestone with almost $19 million in community loans in just 4 years and reflects our continued commitment to expanding access to financial opportunities and supporting our mission. If you are interested in learning more about these programs, please contact Jeannette Lucky at jlucky@connexcu.org. 

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 four, 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 Cece Gash of North Haven; the Nicolas G. Hackett Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Ellianna Essenter of Monroe; the Arthur B. Haesche Scholarship was awarded to Harrison Smith of Branford; the David F. Clark Arts and Music Scholarship was awarded to Ava DelVisco of Cheshire; the Merit Scholarships for Hartford, New Haven, Middlesex and Fairfield County were awarded to Gregory Dunne of Plantsville, Tyler Dodge of North Branford, Josephine Kliucius of Branford, Aniya Swindell of New Haven, Sebastian Torres of East Haven, and Lily Vest of Madison; the Merit Scholarships for the towns of New Haven, West Haven and Hamden were awarded to Xaviare Ager of Hamden, Maxwell Bradshaw of Hamden, Stephanie Marino of Hamden, Ana Cabrera Remigio of West Haven, and Zhane Wilson of New Haven. 

These deserving student members can use the money toward tuition and other school-related expenses. ConnexCares awards scholarships on an annual basis and will begin accepting applications again in January for the next school year. To be eligible, a student or immediate family member must be a member of Connex in good standing as of December 31, 2026. To learn more about the scholarship program, please visit connexcu.org or call 1-800-CR-UNION.

ConnexCares - Giving Back to Our Communities

Connex is once again participating in National Miracle Hospitals Month, giving our employees the opportunity to support a great cause while entering for a chance to win prizes, including gas and VISA gift cards. Connex will match employee donations up to $1,500, with all proceeds benefiting Connecticut Children’s Medical Center in Hartford. We have proudly supported this effort for more than 20 years, and I look forward to celebrating our continued commitment with our traditional employee photo with all who donated to this worthy cause.

Our commitment to community service also continues to grow. This past quarter, employees volunteered their time building walls for a new Habitat for Humanity home in New Haven, preparing meals at The Community Dining Room, and promoting financial literacy through Financial Reality Fairs at Masuk High School in Monroe, Gateway Community College, and Trumbull High School. Connex was also proud to support the Branford Festival, the Meriden Daffodil Festival, the Hamden Business Expo, and the North Haven Pride Festival.

I am incredibly thankful to our employees for their ongoing dedication and passion for making a positive impact in the communities we serve. If your nonprofit organization has volunteer opportunities available, please contact LeAndre Dupree, AVP of Community Development, at ldupree@connexcu.org.

Member and Community Impact Report

Our fourth Member and Community Impact Report (MCIR) is now complete and available on our website at connexcu.org under “Member Info & Resources.” Unlike a traditional financial statement, the MCIR highlights the positive impact Connex has made for our members, employees, and communities, while sharing our continued areas of focus.

This year’s highlights include more than $11 million in member giveback through ATM refunds, dividends, fee refunds, and more. We also helped 118 families achieve homeownership, including 23% first-time homebuyers and 25% low-to-moderate income households. In addition, Connex contributed more than $172,000 in charitable donations, and our employees volunteered over 1,000 hours in the communities we serve.

I invite you to review the MCIR and learn more about how Connex, together with our owner-members, continues to strengthen our communities. At Connex, we believe that when you bank better, you can live better.

Tips on How to Spot and Avoid AI Scams

Given how pervasive fraud is these days, I wanted to devote a little time to relay some of the latest information we have on just a few relevant areas related to fraud. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a term for technology applications that perform tasks typically associated with human intelligence, such as learning, reasoning, problem-solving, perception, and decision-making. Some examples of AI include, but are not limited to, autocorrect on your computer or phone, voice typing, customer service chatbots, facial recognition software, photo and video editors, language translators, and more.

Many legitimate companies use AI to help us in our daily lives. Unfortunately, because AI is a relatively new and developing technology, scammers are also increasingly using these tools to harm and deceive. Scammers may use AI to closely mimic human behavior, such as language or an image, to add credibility to their scams. Some common AI scams include:

• Imposter Deepfakes – Scammers use AI to compile images from many databases to create fake photos or videos that look and sound real. These scams may use images of someone you know or a well-known celebrity or public figure to add credibility to their messages. They may also use voice cloning technology to deliver their message in a familiar voice.
• Romance Scams – Similar to deepfakes, they use AI technology to create a “perfect match” fake profile on social media or dating sites. Once you’re hooked, they come asking for money or to invest in an amazing opportunity. Think before you swoon: protect your heart and money.
• Grandparent/Relative – These scams use AI voice cloning software to make false emergency calls claiming that a grandchild, or other relative, is in trouble and needs immediate financial assistance. To avoid these scams, create a password that only your family members know, so you can verify their identity over the phone or by text. Talk to your grandparents and parents about these types of scams.
• Finfluencers – Social media influencers who push crypto or their own investments on their feeds may be scammers. They typically have no financial advisor certifications but may provide fake credentials on their profile. They may also use AI to create fake followers on their site to make themselves look more legit. 
• Automated Attacks – These scams use AI to develop malware that can bypass antivirus software to steal personal data from your phone or computer, such as login credentials and credit card information. To protect your accounts, experts say to use two-factor authentication and change your passwords monthly, or at a minimum annually.

It’s also important to know the common red flags of investment scams. These include claims that there are no risks involved, aggressive sales tactics that create a sense of urgency to invest now or miss out, and performance reports that seem way too good to be true. AI technology is getting more advanced every day, making it difficult to identify. Some additional red flags that are unique to AI scams include:

• Fake Investment Sites – Companies or trading platforms that claim to use AI to help make money for investors are often scams, especially if they are pushing crypto assets. In some cases, these companies do not use AI, and the trading activity is fake. Your investments appear to grow online, but when you try to cash out your earnings, the scammers disappear with your money.
• Fake News – Scammers create AI-generated news articles that appear legitimate to back up false claims. It is based on the theory that if you have repetitive exposure to the same or similar information, you may begin to think it’s true and “buy in” to what is being offered.
• Fake Accounts – Be cautious of any investment opportunity that is promoted on social media. These may be loaded with fake accounts that mask scam and fraud activity. Be especially wary of any offers that pay commissions to investors to recruit new investors. Before investing, always independently research and verify your source.

To report a scam, you should contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) if the scam occurred online. If the scam involved any of your Connex accounts, you should immediately contact us at 203-603-5700.  

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.

Net Promoter Survey Coming in the Fall

Our mission through Customer Advocacy is founded on improving the financial well-being of our members, employees, and the communities we serve. As part of that mission, we annually conduct a Net Promoter Survey that measures member satisfaction through the response to one fundamental question: “Would you recommend Connex to a family member or friend?” Beyond that question, there are several other questions and opportunities to share what you like about being a member of Connex. These include the reasons you continue to choose us over other financial services providers, as well as the opportunities we have to improve our service to you. We always strive to serve you well and act as your trusted advisor, and that has served us well as a cooperative for over 85 years now. We never forget you are member-owners of this financial cooperative, and we take your feedback seriously as we plan our future goals and investments. 

This year’s survey will begin later this year, and an external firm will conduct and objectively tabulate the results. To help us continue to grow and better serve your financial needs, please respond to our survey and consider recommending Connex to your friends and family. Ten randomly selected responders will receive a $50 bonus for participating in the survey. 

Annual Meeting

On April 24, 2026, Connex successfully held its 86th Annual Meeting virtually. During the meeting, we announced the election of Janice Bryden, Annie Harper, and Edward Rosenthal to three-year terms on the Connex Board of Directors.

Please join us in thanking our Directors for their commitment, leadership, and volunteer service. Their dedication helps strengthen Connex and supports our continued growth as a leading financial institution for the future. We look forward to their ongoing contributions and guidance.

Celebrating Our Own Team

At Connex, we know that our success is driven by the dedication, passion, and commitment of our employees. Every day, our team goes above and beyond to support our members, strengthen our communities, and make Connex a place where people can achieve their financial possibilities. 

As a small way to show our appreciation, Connex was proud to host our bi-annual employee appreciation event this past weekend, and it featured great food, fun, and some raffle prizes. This event is an opportunity for us to celebrate our employees, recognize their hard work, and thank them for the significant role they play in our continued success.

I am grateful for the Connex team and the positive impact they make every day. Our employees truly are the heart of our organization, and we appreciate all they do to help Connex thrive.

Long-Time Valued Employee Retires

After nearly 30 years of dedicated service, Anita Rupley, Assistant Director of Member Services, retired from Connex on June 30, 2026. 

Anita has been an invaluable part of our Member Services and Sales & Service teams, sharing her knowledge, dedication, and commitment to excellence throughout her career. Her guidance, mentorship, and willingness to support others have made a lasting impact across Connex.

While her expertise will be greatly missed, it is Anita’s kindness, professionalism, and steady presence that we will remember most. I thank her for her years of service and wish her all the best in this well-deserved next chapter.

As we end the first half of the year, I also want to assure you that your credit union is on a strong financial footing and is one of the most successful credit unions in the state. We look forward to making your financial possibilities a reality!

Thank you for your membership and for placing your continued trust in Connex.