User:MarkD4700/Sandbox

'''NOTE: I am a writer for Pioneer Services and have been since 2003. I have tried my best to make this entry as neutral as possible, and have it conform to Wikipedia's standards. I am also willing to dump the "Awards" section of this proposed addition if anyone thinks it too marketing-esque.'''MarkD4700 (talk) 20:21, 5 August 2008 (UTC)

Pioneer Services is a finance company that exclusively serves the military community, providing unsecured loans of $500 to $10,000, promoting financial literacy, and offering other financial services. Started in 1932 as part of a family auto dealership, the company started to serve the military community exclusively in 1986.

In 2007, Pioneer Financial Services was acquired by MidCountry Financial Corp., a billion dollar diversified financial services holding company, making Pioneer Services the military banking division of MidCountry Bank.

Office locations
Pioneer Services has offices serving the following American military installations:


 * Camp Lejeune
 * Camp Pendleton
 * Fort Benning
 * Fort Bliss
 * Fort Bragg (North Carolina)
 * Fort Campbell
 * Fort Carson
 * Fort Drum
 * Fort Gordon
 * Fort Hood
 * Fort Knox
 * Fort Lewis
 * Fort Polk
 * Fort Riley
 * Fort Sill
 * Fort Stewart
 * NS Norfolk
 * Hanau Germany

Awards

 * Depart of Defense Freedom Award—In 2005 the company received a 2005 Secretary of Defense Freedom Award for "extraordinary support" for associates who serve in the National Guard and Reserves.


 * American Business Awards—The company received a national American Business Award (known as a "Stevie") in 2006 for the "Best Corporate Social Responsibility Program."


 * Better Business Bureau Awards—Pioneer Services offices serving Fort Drum, Fort Carson , and Fort Gordon , have received awards from their local Better Business Bureaus.


 * Great Place to Work—Pioneer Services was named one of the top 25 Best Companies to Work for by the Society for Human Resource Management and the Great Places to Work Institute® in 2004 and 2006.


 * Top Military Friendly Employer—In July 2005, Pioneer Services was one of only four non-Fortune 500 companies among those honored by G.I. Jobs magazine for supporting employees in the National Guard and Reserves.


 * Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year for Social Responsibility—Former Chairman of the Board and son of the company's founder Bill Sullivan, and President Tom Holcom, were named recipients of Ernst & Young's 2006 Entrepreneur of the Year Award for the Central Midwest Region for Social Responsibility.