COPPELL, Texas–Neighborhood Credit Union surprised longtime member Leticia Ybarra during a visit to its branch with news she never expected—she was grand prize winner of its Prize Savings Account promotion and had won $49,999.99 for her “consistent commitment to saving.”
According to the $1-billion Neighborhood CU, which has made an annual tradition of the big promotion, Ybarra had stopped by the branch during her lunch break when she was presented with the oversized check in person.
“Visibly emotional, she reacted with a heartfelt ‘Oh, wow!’ as the announcement set in,” the credit union said.
“Programs like our Prize Savings Account show that saving consistently truly pays off,” Chief Retail and Operations Officer Francis Santana said in a statement. “We’re proud to reward members who are building strong financial futures.”
Thanks to Mom
A member since 2001, Ybarra first joined Neighborhood Credit Union at 18 years old after her mother encouraged her to open her first account and begin building a strong financial foundation early in life. More than two decades later, she remains a committed member, the credit union said.
“The timing of the win made it especially meaningful. After being laid off from a job she held for seven years, Ybarra experienced a period of unemployment before recently starting a new role with her current employer,” Neighborhood CU said. “Like many families, she faced financial challenges during that time and has since focused on paying down debt incurred while out of work.”
As for her advice for others, Ybarra advised, “Start young. You can never be too young to start saving for the future. Everything you do in the past will one day catch up to you. Invest in your future.”
About Prize Savings Account
Neighborhood Credit Union introduced the Prize Savings Account in 2007 to encourage strong saving habits while adding excitement through cash rewards. Members earn entries based on their savings balances and are eligible for monthly prizes of $1,000, $2,000, and $3,000, with the program culminating in a $49,999.99 grand prize awarded every January. In addition to rewarding members, Neighborhood Credit Union makes a monthly donation to a local charity on behalf of that month’s winners, reinforcing its commitment to financial wellness and community impact.
