By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer
ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Paul Allbritton wanted to use his financial knowledge as a ministry when he became manager of the Baptist Employees of Louisiana Credit Union in 2010.
Allbritton, who will retire, Feb. 14, from what is now the Louisiana Baptist Federal Credit Union, is grateful for the opportunity God has given him to help hundreds of members obtain car loans, refinance high interest rate credit card loans and receive financial advice based on biblical precepts.
“My time here has been very rewarding,” Allbritton told the Baptist Message. “I’ve loved working with people over these years and have enjoyed helping members who sometimes may not have been able to get help in other places.”
Allbritton, a native of Shreveport, previously worked at three other credit unions: Alexandria USDA Credit Union, Pineville (vice president of lending, 1988-2006); Willis-Knighton Federal Credit Union, Shreveport (president/CEO, 2007-2009); and Heart of Louisiana Federal Credit Union, Pineville (formerly Alexandria USDA FCU; collections manager, 2009-2010).
When he assumed his BELCU role in 2010, membership was restricted to employees of the Louisiana Baptist Convention and its entities. Realizing the need to grow, Allbritton and his board of trustees worked to open membership in 2013 to any Louisiana Baptist whose church is a cooperative partner with the Louisiana Baptist Convention.
A year later, the ministry was renamed the Louisiana Baptist Federal Credit Union.
Other notable accomplishments during his leadership include updating the computer syst(providing a cost-savings benefit) and increasing the credit union’s loan portfolio from $2.8 million to $4 million.
“The changes have allowed the credit union to reduce expenses and be more competitive,” Allbritton said. “I feel we have a great foundation for the next manager to build upon.”
Looking toward retirement, Allbritton hopes to spend more time working on home improvement and vehicle restoration projects. He also plans to volunteer in the community, golf, fish and continue to worship with First Baptist Church, Pineville; and he will help as asked by his wife and daughter with their women’s clothing business.
“I have been blessed to have the support of a wonderful wife and family,” Allbritton said. “I have also had a great group of directors on the credit union board. They have allowed me a lot of latitude to manage the credit union, and were always there if I needed them.”
