MASSENA — SeaComm Federal Credit Union has been named a top credit union in the country, as well as one of the best companies to work for in New York state.

The National Association of Federal Credit Unions named SeaComm the Federal Credit Union of the Year for institutions with $150 million or more in assets. Pioneer West Virginia Federal Credit Union won for credit unions with less than $150 million in assets.

SeaComm, which is based in Massena and has branches in Potsdam, Canton, Ogdensburg and Malone, serves more than 39,000 members with assets of $452 million.

“To be named Credit Union of the Year by NAFCU is a pretty big honor,” SeaComm CEO and President Scott A. Wilson said, noting there are 7,292 credit unions in the United States.

Nominees are judged based on how well they meet a number of selection criteria, including unusual growth; innovative member service or a credit union that has successfully handled an adverse situation; impact of the action cited in the nomination on the credit union, its members and community; success and adherence to principles of sound financial management.

The credit union also must show a commitment to consumer education, the community and/or service to low- and moderate-income individuals.

Winners will be recognized before their peers in a special ceremony during NAFCU’s 45th annual conference in Nashville, Tenn.

Mr. Wilson said that, on top of that piece of good news, SeaComm also learned it was named one of the best companies to work for in New York by the New York State Society for Human Resource Management. The credit union was named number nine for small/medium employers of 15 to 249 employees.

“It’s the second year in a row we’ve been named one of the best companies to work for in New York,” he said.

SeaComm was among 50 companies in the state recognized for outstanding achievements in employee engagement.

To be considered for the fifth annual program, companies had to have at least one facility and 15 employees in New York, be a for-profit or nonprofit business or government entity, be a publicly or privately held business, be in business for a minimum of one year and register to participate.

What makes the selection process unique, Mr. Wilson said, is that employees must rate the company.

“You have to participate, but the employees do the survey,” which include 72 questions on areas such as leadership, pay and benefits, he said.

The survey was conducted by Best Companies Group, an independent firm that manages the Best Places to Work programs on state, regional and national levels around the world. They evaluated and ranked the best places of employment in the state based on employee satisfaction, as well as workplace practices and policies.

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