GKCU charts path for future growth at 2026 Annual Meeting

Credit Union Celebrates Major Tech Milestone and Strong Financial Performance

Georgetown Kraft Credit Union (GKCU) recently gathered with its member-owners for its 2026 Annual Meeting, highlighting a landmark year defined by technological innovation and a steadfast commitment to democratic member control.

The meeting, held February 23 at Winyah Auditorium, served as both a reporting of the past year’s successes and a look forward at the credit union’s evolving digital landscape.

A Year of Transformation

The centerpiece of the evening was the reflection on GKCU’s successful 2025 Core Conversion. Chairman Jim Bessant detailed how this massive infrastructure project has already begun streamlining operations and improving the member experience.

Chief Information Officer Kevin Langford provided a preview of the next phase of this evolution: a full rollout of contactless “TAP” credit and debit cards, with credit cards beginning in April and debit cards starting in June. This upgrade will continue to offer members instant-issue and reward capabilities.

Democratic Leadership in Action

True to the cooperative spirit, the meeting finalized the democratic election of volunteer leaders. Following a month-long nomination process, GKCU announced the election of Mack Burgess, Tim McConnell, and Raymond Pearigen to the Board of Directors, and Jason Ward to the Supervisory Committee. These volunteers play a critical role in ensuring the credit union remains guided by the interests of its members.

Celebrating Decades of Service

The evening also served as a platform to recognize the dedicated staff who drive GKCU’s mission daily. President Kevin Owens presented special service awards to several employees, most notably:

• Terri Wilson, Kingstree – 30+ Years
• Nicole Tyson, IT – 25+ Years
• Elizabeth Owens, Compliance – 20+ Years
• Anna Eaddy, Operations – 10+ Years
• Brittany James – Mortgages – 10+ Years
• Hope Ballew – Pawleys Island – 5+ Years
• Joannie Blankenship – Collections – 5+ Years
• Kadie Hunter – Collections – 5+ Years
• Kaylin Carr – Training – 5+ Years

Honoring a Legacy of Service

The meeting included a special tribute to retiring volunteer Mr. Wade Marsh for his 30 years of dedicated service. Having served on the Board of Directors, Credit Committee, and Supervisory Committee, Marsh was a steadfast advocate for the membership, ensuring every policy and fiscal decision prioritized member benefits. GKCU remains deeply indebted to his leadership, which helped build the strong foundation the credit union stands on today.

Financial Strength & Future Outlook

The 2025 Annual Report revealed a credit union in a position of significant strength, with assets surpassing $188 million and a net income over $3.33 million.

“Our focus throughout this transition has been to make the process as seamless as possible for our members,” said Chairman Bessant. “This investment in our core technology, backed by our financial stability, is an investment in our members’ financial future.”

To view the entire 2025 Annual Report and videos from the Annual Meeting, visit GKCU’s website: https://gkcu.org/annual-meeting.