Former First Credit Union President and CEO, Fred L. Kent, Passes Away

CHANDLER, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--With great sadness First Credit Union announces the death of Fred L. Kent, former president and chief executive officer. He died September 20, 2012 and was 67 years old.

Fred Kent dedicated his entire career, more than 37 years, to the credit union movement. His charm, spirit and intellect combined with his passion for the credit union movement touched the lives of countless people who had the pleasure of working with him. He defended, supported, and promoted credit unions to numerous state and federal regulators and elected officials, always with an eye toward enriching the movement. Kent’s contributions to First Credit Union and the credit union movement are immeasurable and undeniable.

Kent began his career in the credit union movement as a federal examiner for the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) in 1975. Next he served as general manager of J.L. Bammerlin Postal Federal Credit Union and later as assistant general manager for First Federal Credit Union after it merged with Bammerlin. Kent was president and chief executive officer of First Credit Union from 1988 until he retired in 2009 and subsequently served as chairman of First Credit Union’s board of directors.

Fred Kent also served on the board of directors for the Arizona Credit Union League (ACUL) for 16 years, three of which were as the board's chairman. He served on the ACUL's Facilities Committee, Audit Committee and Project Services Task Force as well. The ACUL has since merged with the state leagues of Colorado and Wyoming to form the Mountain West Credit Union Association. Kent also served as secretary for Arizona Council of the Blind Federal Credit Union’s board of directors for 23 years.

In 2005 Kent was awarded the Very Outstanding Credit Union Person (VOCUP) Award for his various accomplishments and involvement in the credit union movement by the ACUL.

Fred Kent is survived by his wife, Alletta, their children and their grandchildren.

About First Credit Union

Offering Arizonans better banking since 1929, First Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial cooperative with $400 million in assets and 43,000 members. First Credit Union is a full-service financial institution offering a variety of deposit and loan products. Convenient services include free online, mobile & text banking, free online & mobile bill pay, account access at 28,000 surcharge-free ATMs through the CO-OP ATM network, and 6,700 branch locations nationwide through CU Service Centers® credit union shared branch network. For more information please visit www.FirstCU.net.