VyStar Facts
Stay connected to your credit union anytime — even on the go.
1st Quarter | 2026
Featured in this Issue
Why VyStar Launched the Debt Payoff Challenge
Financial health is a central part of a person’s overall well-being. Just as physical health, family stability and job security shape how someone feels day to day, so does the state of their finances. Financial pressure does more than affect a budget. It can weigh on a person’s confidence and peace of mind, which is why access to the right guidance and support matters.
That reality is increasingly clear across the communities we serve. In a recent regional financial health study VyStar commissioned with TransUnion, 40 percent of residents across the Southeast reported that their finances are the top source of stress in their lives. That was more than three times higher than any other single stressor, including jobs, family and health. For many households, debt is a persistent mental and emotional burden that makes it harder to plan, to save and to feel secure.
That level of financial stress calls for action. At VyStar, we believe financial fitness is built through education and practical support over time. Reaching financial goals looks different for everyone, and progress often starts with small, manageable steps. For nearly 75 years, our role has been to give individuals and families tools and guidance that help them build confidence and move forward at their own pace.
We saw the impact of that approach last year through the VyStar Savings Challenge. Thousands of participants took meaningful steps toward building stronger savings habits, many for the first time. Together, they saved more than $5 million. Just as important, participants gained clarity and confidence in their ability to make informed financial decisions. This reflects what we see every day. When people have the right resources and support, progress becomes far more achievable.
In 2026, that momentum matters more than ever. Rising balances, higher interest rates and everyday expenses are putting increased pressure on household budgets. Our research shows that many people want to make progress but feel overwhelmed by where to begin. Among residents carrying credit card debt, 44% are paying the minimum payment or less each month. These challenges contribute directly to the stress so many individuals and families are experiencing.
That context is why we launched the VyStar Debt Payoff Challenge. This initiative, continuing through April 30, is designed to help participants take action by breaking debt into manageable steps and easing the mental weight that often comes with trying to tackle everything at once. Participants begin by completing a financial fitness quiz that offers a snapshot of where they stand today and highlights opportunities for improvement.
Throughout the challenge, participants receive biweekly tips and educational content focused on topics such as the impact of interest rates, effective debt-reduction strategies and ways to strengthen credit health over time. Many of these resources draw from real member stories, sharing practical examples of common challenges and the solutions that helped make a difference. Access to tools and guidance is provided for free to anyone on VyStar's website on our Financial Fitness page.
Participants are also connecting through the Savings #withVyStar Facebook group, where individuals share progress, encouragement and ideas as they work toward their goals together. To help keep motivation strong, everyone who participates in the VyStar Debt Payoff Challenge is entered for a chance to win one of five $5,000 cash prizes. A total of $25,000 will go directly toward helping individuals pay down debt.
As the challenge continues through April, we look forward to seeing the progress participants make and the collective impact this effort can have across our communities. If you have not joined the Debt Payoff Challenge yet, I encourage you to take the first step. Even small actions can make a meaningful difference over time.
Through efforts like the Debt Payoff Challenge and partnerships with nonprofits and city leaders, we are working to strengthen financial well-being at both the individual and community level.
Together, we can reduce stress and regain financial confidence so individuals and families can focus on what matters most in their lives.
Dana Karzan
Chief Marketing Officer
VyStar Credit Union
Debt Payoff Challenge
VyStar Investment Services: 25 Years of Guidance, One Family at a Time
For Alvin S., retirement means time well spent. Time with his grandchildren; time with neighbors and friends; time enjoying the close-knit sense of community he and his wife, Roseann, found years ago along Black Creek in Clay County.
“We just like the freedom that retirement has given us,” Alvin said.
These days, their free time is often spent loading up their camper and taking trips around the region, enjoying new places without having to travel too far from home. It is a pace of life Alvin appreciates after spending 23 years as an Operations Specialist in the U.S. Navy, a role that required constant focus and precision.
“If you’ve ever seen a war movie, the dark room with all the radar and stuff on the ship, that’s where I worked,” Alvin said.
Alvin and Roseann have been VyStar members since the days of Jax Navy Federal Credit Union. Over the years, their trust in the credit union grew alongside their family and eventually led them to VyStar Investment Services (VIS)*, originally named VyStar Financial Group, which was established in January 2001.
As VIS celebrates its 25th anniversary, its purpose is reflected in clients like Alvin who are enjoying retirement as well as the many other clients who benefit from the broad range of guidance.
“We want to let everyone know that we can help them pursue their financial and retirement goals, no matter what phase of life they are in,” said Davida Carter, Senior Vice President, VyStar Investment Services. “This includes those who are just starting an investment plan, managing retirement plan distributions, working through estate planning and much more.”
Meeting Individuals With Personal Guidance
Davida was part of what began as a small operation on Jacksonville’s westside and has grown into a full-service brokerage firm offering holistic financial planning. Today, VIS services about $2 billion in assets through its broker-dealer LPL Financial and is supported by more than 20 financial advisors.
VIS offers goal setting and financial planning, college savings and 529 plans, legacy and estate planning and more. The focus is on building lasting relationships so advisors can offer guidance as clients’ needs evolve over time.
Alvin works with financial advisor Wade Bramlitt. Their families have lived a stone’s throw away from one another on Black Creek for years, a connection that helped build familiarity and trust.
“It is nice having someone you can relate to doing your investment services for you,” Alvin said. “He knows … what we’re trying to do. We’re trying to make sure that we’ve got enough money to last out our retirement years.”
Alvin added: “I’m sure it’s not a requirement to know your financial advisor since he was a teenager or younger, but it doesn’t hurt, either.”
Confidence Passed Down Through Generations
That sense of understanding and personal connection is echoed by Anne and Larry R., who began working with financial advisor Rick Gregson in 2009 as they prepared for retirement.
Anne and Larry’s connection to VyStar spans generations. Their parents were among the early members of the credit union while working at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, and that history shaped their confidence in choosing VyStar Investment Services.
“They were in the service, and that’s how they became members,” Anne said of their parents. “Then when we were born and got a little bit older, they decided to open us an account. So what did we do? When our kids got a little older, we opened them an account.”
Their relationship with the credit union led to being referred to VIS and working with Rick.
“He’s been fantastic,” Anne said. “He cares about our goals. He cares about us as people. He cares about our family members. It’s the way VyStar started years ago.”
Planning with VIS, she said, extends well beyond the present.
“He doesn’t just look at us,” Anne said. “He looks at how this will affect our family. He’s planning for everything.”
Comfort When Discussing Finances
For many people, money can be a difficult subject. Conversations about retirement, long-term care or family finances often come with stress and uncertainty. For clients working with VIS, those conversations are designed to feel different.
“It’s a calming thing to talk about,” Anne said. “Most of the time money is stressful for people. When you have advisors like Rick, you don’t feel that stress from it. Because if they explain it well and they cater to what your comfort level is, you don’t feel stressed about it. We walk away and we go, ‘This is good for us.’
That calm comes from patience and clarity.
“It’s always very explanatory,” Anne said. “You hear it, but sometimes you need to hear it again. The next time we see him, ‘Can you go over it again and tell us exactly what this money is doing?’ He’s great about it. He understands. He never makes us feel bad when we ask a question.”
Knowing those conversations are always available adds another layer of reassurance.
“It’s a comfort,” Anne said. “We know we can pick up the phone, leave a message and he will get right back to us.”
That same sense of comfort resonates with Alvin.
“If you feel comfortable with the person you decide to choose and you feel like that person has your best interest at heart, that’s a good place to start,” he said.
These stories are examples of the experience clients can expect from VIS. Advisors who listen. Guidance that evolves as life changes. And relationships built over time, with a focus that never strays from helping clients feel more confident in their future.
“We feel honored that Alvin and Roseann, Anne and Larry, and so many others have relied on us to deliver sound financial coaching to reach all their many goals in life,” Davida said.
Looking Ahead
The growth of VIS is because of the relationships clients have with their advisors. Regardless of financial status, all clients are made to feel welcome.
For Anne, that approach makes all the difference.
“People should really consider it,” she said. “You don’t feel like you have to have ‘X’ amount of dollars. Well, that’s not really fair that some places won’t take you if you don’t have $500,000 or whatever it is they want.”
Added Larry, “We don’t hesitate to recommend them to anyone.”
Securities and advisory services are offered through LPL Financial (LPL), a registered investment advisor and broker-dealer (member FINRA/SIPC).
Insurance products are offered through LPL or its licensed affiliates. VyStar Credit Union and VyStar Investment Services are not registered as a broker-dealer or investment advisor. Registered representatives of LPL offer products and services using VyStar Investment Services and may also be employees of VyStar Credit Union. These products and services are being offered through LPL or its affiliates, which are separate entities from, and not affiliates of, VyStar Credit Union or VyStar Investment Services. Securities and insurance offered through LPL or its affiliates are:
|
Not Insured by NCUA or Any Other Government Agency |
Not Credit Union Guaranteed |
Not Credit Union Deposits or Obligations |
May Lose Value |
Your Credit Union (“Financial Institution”) provides referrals to financial professionals of LPL Financial LLC (“LPL”) pursuant to an agreement that allows LPL to pay the Financial Institution for these referrals. This creates an incentive for the Financial Institution to make these referrals, resulting in a conflict of interest. The Financial Institution is not a current client of LPL for advisory services. Please visit https://www.lpl.com/disclosures/is-lpl-relationship-disclosure.html for more detailed information.
A Reflection on Our 25 Years of Impact at VyStar Investment Services
As VyStar Investment Services celebrates its 25th anniversary, Davida Carter, SVP, VyStar Investment Services, reflects on a meaningful journey.
Mortgage Refinance
If you’re looking to lower your monthly mortgage payment, secure a better rate or put the equity in your home to work, now may be a smart time to consider refinancing. With interest rates coming down, our team is here to help you explore flexible refinancing options that fit your goals.
Refinancing your mortgage could help you:
-
Reduce your interest rate
-
Lower your monthly payment
-
Pay off your home faster
-
Use equity to consolidate debt, tackle home projects and more
Constructing Kindness: How This VyStar Employee Found Purpose in Volunteering
The hum of a drill. The smell of freshly cut wood. Sawdust gathering at his feet. In his garage, William carefully measured, cut and stained one piece of lumber after the next, transforming raw materials into something new: a Plinko board.
It began as an idea tossed out by SAFE Animal Shelter’s event coordinator and became a 60-hour project. Hard work. Patience. Precision. All were required for a result that could be a source of fun, and just as importantly, raise funds for the organization.
“In my time volunteering at bingo night with SAFE Animal Shelter, Colette (the event coordinator) is always trying to think about new ideas on how they could make it more fun, more engaging,” William said. “She had mentioned some minute-to-win-it games: human slot machines and even Plinko. After hearing some of that, in my mind, I knew I had the ability and desire to begin my woodworking journey somewhere. … It was most certainly a learning experience and a fun project to create for the animal shelter.”
The finished product quickly became a big part of bingo nights. It even caught the attention of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, who asked William to build a second board. Thanks to lessons learned, he cut the build time nearly in half — finishing in 40 hours — and gave the community a second board ready to brighten events.
“They were both made from wood and dry erase marker board so they could be customized to the event or whatever activity they were being used for,” William said. “The animal shelter utilizes this feature to write in what prizes will be won in each of the slots at the bottom.”
Finding A Passion for Volunteering
For William, this kind of hands-on work is the heart of volunteering. But it wasn’t always that way. He admits that when he first joined VyStar, he treated volunteerism more as a requirement to check off. His first event didn’t come until late October of that year, and most of his hours were logged during Computer Science Week. Something shifted, though, when he started volunteering at SAFE Animal Shelter’s bingo nights. The atmosphere, the people and the cause clicked with him. That gave him a new perspective.
“Volunteerism to me is a way for me to be involved with the community and meet new people, or in some cases work with the same people,” William said. “While it may seem simple to volunteer at bingo every month, to me it’s more so being involved with the animal shelter and taking on some responsibility that helps them in the long run — for example, making the Plinko board for fundraisers or mini games between bingo cards. It’s not just time we volunteer. It’s expertise, our opinions, thoughts and ideas.”
That mindset carried him throughout 2025, when he volunteered more than 240 hours. William aims to take on at least two events each month, building a rhythm of service as steady as his woodworking hands. The impact of his work is clear in the boards he’s constructed and in the connections he’s made.
“I am inspired to continue doing good in the community by seeing the smiles and appreciation on the faces of the members of the community when I step out into the community to volunteer,” William said. “Not only have I met different people around the VyStar organization but members of the community too that rely on the volunteering we do. The sense of importance from those interactions is also why I continue to Do Good.”
Actions Speak Louder than Words
William has a favorite quote that inspires him to Do Good: “Actions speak louder than words.” From the garage to the bingo hall, William’s story shows how service, like woodworking, takes patience, precision and care. When guided by helping hands, it builds something that lasts.
Driven by Family: Ponte Vedra Golf Carts’ Path to Expansion
Just beyond the buzz of the St. Johns Town Center, where shoppers and diners fill the streets, a winding road leads to something unexpected.
St. Johns Industrial Parkway North doesn’t draw much attention. The pavement curves past a series of buildings until it reaches a tan structure with a blue and green sign.
It reads: Ponte Vedra Golf Carts.
Step inside, and the scene shifts. Red, blue and teal golf carts line the floor. There is even a golf cart with horns. The space hums with energy, a reflection of the man behind it all.
Turning a Passion into a Business
Chris Allen started Krazy Carts in the early 2000s for fun. He and his son raced golf carts at speeds over 100 miles per hour.
“I enjoyed it,” Chris recalled. “We would race them all over the country.”
That all changed during the economic crash in 2008. Chris eventually decided to go into golf carts full time to make sure his business was recession proof and bought Ponte Vedra Golf Carts from the previous owner, who was ready to retire.
Revving up with VyStar
Initially, Chris was renting a building for his business. However, he had ambitions for more.
He noticed a building two doors down for sale and reached out to Steven Beyer, who is now the Branch Vice President at VyStar’s Kernan branch. They had already known each other for years after Chris opened personal accounts at the credit union.
“He helped me since Day 1,” Chris said. “I move anywhere he moves. Anywhere he goes, I go.”
This time, Chris asked Steven to help him get a VyStar Commercial Lending loan for the building he wanted to purchase. Steven connected Chris to R.J. Dailey in the Commercial Lending department, who worked to make the process seamless. The deal closed in just 30 days.
Growing his relationship with VyStar was even easier than Chris imagined.
“It was very painless,” Chris said. “Very quick and efficient and they’ve been great the whole time.”
Assembly Line of Possibilities
Today, Ponte Vedra Golf Carts has three locations, each full of golf carts waiting to be repaired or purchased.
Chris can often be found at the main warehouse on St. Johns Industrial Parkway. Around and around the golf carts go being repaired throughout the assembly line. Bumpers in black, white and teal line the walls inside the building. Chris walks the floor daily, inspecting progress and chatting with his team.
The carts serve a range of purposes. Some cruise golf courses. Others zip through neighborhoods. A few are customized for people with special needs claiming their independence to move freely.
“It’s an eye opener how much people really love their golf carts and rely on them,” Chris said. “It’s pretty cool that we can help them.”
Building a Legacy
Chris’ office is filled with family photos of him and his 26-year-old son, Chris Allen Jr.
“Every day I get to work with him,” Chris said. “Some people don’t get to see their kids a lot. I get to see mine every day.”
Next to Chris’ workspace sits his 5-year-old granddaughter’s tiny desk, covered with coloring books and scribbled papers.
“This is her job site as she calls it,” Chris said, smiling. “I hope that she’ll follow and work with her dad. I think that would be real nice.”
He hopes the family tradition continues.
“I’m taking care of my family pretty much,” Chris said. “I hope that follows along later down the road.”
Moving into the Future with VyStar
Chris isn’t slowing down. With VyStar’s help, he purchased five acres on State Road 16.
“We’ve been working steadily hard on this to get it done,” Chris said.
He’s preparing the land to properly accommodate the golf cart business. However, he has his sights on expanding the business outside the Jacksonville area to Lake City and St. Marys, Georgia.
“Expansion is good,” Chris said. “You have to do it the right way.”
From racing carts across the country to building a multi-location business, Chris’ journey has been anything but ordinary. With VyStar by his side and family at the heart of his operation, Ponte Vedra Golf Carts is more than wheels and engines. It is a story of legacy, connection and a future that continues to grow with every turn of the road.
VyStar Member Wins Visa® NFL Sweepstakes Grand Prize
Vanessa T. likes to say she was raised on football. Now she is heading to an NFL game as part of the trip of a lifetime.
Vanessa was the grand prize winner of the VyStar Visa® NFL Sweepstakes.
From Oct. 1 through Nov. 30, 2025, every qualifying purchase made with a VyStar Visa debit or credit card automatically entered members for a chance to win. The grand prize included a three-day, two-night trip for two to attend the NFL regular season game of her choice next season. The package covers airfare, hotel accommodations, game tickets and transportation.
Vanessa, who lives in Satsuma, Florida, grew up a Dallas Cowboys fan and said she is already looking forward to reviewing next season’s schedule to choose the perfect matchup. She plans to bring her friend Heather to share the experience.
“I love being at the stadium,” she said.
In addition to the opportunity to see an NFL game in person, Vanessa received $3,000 in cash. The total approximate retail value of the prize is $9,700.
While she is excited about the trip, Vanessa plans to use the cash portion of her prize to help take the next step in her life.
“I would like to put away money for me buying a house,” she said. “I live with my family right now and I'm ready to get my own place.”
Having a place of her own is deeply personal to Vanessa, who works as a home health aide. She says she feels ready for greater stability and independence.
Vanessa also shared her appreciation for VyStar — both in helping her work toward her financial goals and having fun contests that make membership even more enjoyable.
“My experience with VyStar is great,” she said.
Congratulations, Vanessa. We hope the game is everything you imagined and more.
See What's Coming Up
Every Saturday
Jacksonville, FL
VyStar Free Saturdays at MOCA
March 5 & 12
Savannah, GA
Savannah Ghost Pirates at Enmarket Arena
Troop Thursdays
Presenting Sponsor
March 17
Savannah, GA
City of Savannah 202nd St. Patrick's Day Parade
Parade Participant
April 4
Savannah, GA
Ronald McDonald House of the Coastal Empire
Red Shoes Run
Presenting Sponsor
April 4 & 6
NE Florida
Berry Good Farms Weekend Festival
April 4: Concert on the Farm
April 6: Dinner on the Farm
Title Sponsor
April 8 - 12
Jacksonville, FL
Think Bold Festival and Conference
VyStar Members receive discounted admission
Event Partner
April 9
NE Florida
VyStar Day at the Clay County Fair
All VyStar members receive free admission with proof of membership (unexpired VyStar debit card, credit card or membership card)
April 29-30
Savannah, GA
Ronald McDonald House of the Coastal Empire
Wine, Women & Shoes
Presenting Sponsor
May 22-25
Orlando, FL
Orlando Science Center
Free admission for veterans and active-duty military members, plus 50% discount for their family members.
Presented by VyStar Credit Union
Explore VyStar Perks
Did you know your membership gives you discounts and special access to many of our favorite destinations? Whether you enjoy visiting museums and zoos, supporting local athletics or checking out other attractions, VyStar Perks is like having an all-access pass to adventure.
.png?width=300&name=MMAA-Logo%20(1).png){kind=small}
Board of Directors Nominees & Annual Meeting
VyStar Credit Union will hold its 74th Annual Meeting. More information is available here.
Date: Wednesday, March 25, 2026
Time: 5:00 p.m. (EST)
Location: VyStar Credit Union Headquarters (VyStar Tower)
76 S. Laura Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202
22nd Floor
The following candidates were selected by the nominating committee:
 |
Vicki S. Harris, Incumbent |
 |
Jennifer A. Lusk, Incumbent |
|
|
P. Kem Siddons, Incumbent |
