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History

Many people have grown up with Members First Credit Union. As you've changed, we've changed, and we will continue to do so to satisfy your growing needs. 

 

1936
 

• The Teachers' Club contributed $50 toward starting a credit union called Midland County Teachers Credit Union.
• During the school year, the first office of the credit union was located in Donald Benfer's classroom in the only junior high school in town, at the corner of Ashman and Grove streets. During the summer, the credit union was headquartered in Donald's basement on Ashman Street. Mr. Benfer was the first treasurer of the credit union.
• The first president of the credit union was M. Lile Fellows, the assistant principal at Midland High School.
   

1961

• The 25th anniversary was observed.
• The credit union had $143,328 in assets.
• There were 283 members.
   

1965
 

• The credit union had over $500,000 in assets.
• Calvin Miller, a math teacher at Northeast Intermediate, and his wife, Mary, ran the credit union.
   

1969

• On January 24, 1969 the name was officially changed to Midland County School Employees Credit Union.
   

1967-1970

• Office space was rented for the first time in 1967, on Bay City Road.
• The office was open only afternoons and evenings.
• By November 1970, this space was outgrown and the credit union rented two larger offices on Eastlawn Drive.
   

1983

• The interest rate on new cars was 12% (June 30).
• Mary Jo Griffin won $10.00 in the "Name the Newsletter" contest, resulting in the title "Extra Credit."
• Construction began on our Bayliss office, which took the credit union from 500 square feet of room to 2,075 square feet on the main floor and 1,500 square feet in the basement.

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1984

• The credit union moved into the brand new office at 617 Bayliss Street on May 4; the first day of operation was May 7. This was the first time the credit union owned its own building.
• Three hundred members and guests attended the open house on June 3 to celebrate the new building.
• Money orders became available.
• There were 2,725 members.
   

1986
 

• The 50th anniversary was observed.
• Effective March 17, 1986, the credit union began issuing cash withdrawals up to $200.00.
• The credit union had $12 million in assets.
• There were 3,000 members.
• Letter from President Reagan
• On March 1, 1986, the MCSECU 50th Anniversary Dinner & Dance were held at the Great Hall.

	Front, left to right: Betty Shangle, Carolyn Peterson, Dean Plummer, Carol Nehil and Linda Cline.Back, left to right: Dave Weissenborn, Tom Venman, Jim Mitchell, Dave Chalk, Jim Samocki, Bud Lawry and Brad Vander Vliet

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1991

• The credit union had $28.6 million in assets.
• There were 5,000 members.
• On February 9, 1991, the MCSECU 55th Anniversary Dinner & Dance were held at the Great Hall.

	Credit Union Employees, February 9, 1991 Left to right: Pamela Ayers, Carolyn Peterson, Ann Stevens, Patricia Sanderson, Kathy Dean and Shari Kelley

1992

• A VISA® program was implemented, with a 14.52% annual interest rate, and credit limits up to $5,000.
• The credit union had $32 million in assets.
  
   

1993

• The VISA® interest rate dropped to 12.6%.
• New car loan rates ranged from 6% to 7.5%.
• The credit union had $35.8 million in assets.
   

1994
 

• Carolyn Peterson, the first full-time employee, retired. Roger W. Reiser was hired as the new manager/CEO.
• The mortgage lending program began in the fall, with a maximum of $80,000 for a single real estate loan.
• The credit union had $37.8 million in assets.
• The credit union had $16.3 million in loans to members.
   

1995
 

1996

• There were 6,999 members.
• The credit union had $7 million in mortgage loans.
• The credit union had $40 million in assets.
• The credit committee disbanded.
• On September 11, 1996, there was groundbreaking for the new credit union building on Wackerly.
• On November 2, 1996, the MCSECU 60th Anniversary Dinner & Dance were held at the Great Hall.
   

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1997
 

• The new office at 600 W. Wackerly was opened.
• The name was changed to Members First Credit Union on March 17, 1997.
• Car loans for 1994 and newer were 7.60% APR.
• Eighty-seven new select employee groups were added.
• The credit union had $46.5 million in assets.
• The credit union had $26.5 million in loans to members.
• There were 8,000 members.
• The MasterMoney™ debit card was introduced.

	Ribbon Cutting at 600 W. Wackerly Left to right: Roger Reiser, Bill Wall, Linda Cline, Dave Weissenborn, Lowell Thomas, Betty Shangle and Eric Brubaker

1998
 

• An ATM machine was added to our Bayliss office.
• There were 9,400 members.
• There were 240 select employee groups.
• The credit union had $55.7 million in assets.
• The credit union had $34.6 million total loans to members.
• The board size increased from five to seven members.
• Lowell Thomas retired from the Board of Directors. Terry Graf was appointed to complete the remainder of Lowell's term.
• Roger W. Reiser resigned as manager/CEO to return to Iowa as CEO of State Employees Credit Union.

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1999

• Peter P. Dzuris joined the credit union as president/CEO.
• Loans increased by $7.8 million.
• There were 10,000 members.
• The first annual member golf outing was held at Sandy Ridge Golf Course.

Member Golf Outing June 22, 1999 at Sandy Ridge Front: Stew Rathbun and Bud Lawry Back: Joanie Rathbun and Mary Lawry

• The credit union added 100 new select employee groups.
• The credit union had $63.6 million in total assets.
• A new mission statement was introduced.
• Cheri Dowd retired from the Supervisory Committee. Michael Cauchy was appointed to serve the remainder of her term.
• David Weissenborn retired from the Board of Directors. Robert Cooper was appointed to serve the remainder of his term. Linda Cline was elected president of the Board.
• International Credit Union Day was held on Thursday, October 21, 1999

	Board and Supervisory Committee Members, February 17, 1999 Front, left to right: Betty Shangle, Linda Cline, Cheri Dowd, Diane BechtelBack, left to right: Roger Asiala, Lt. David Thompson, Bob Cooper, Terry Graf, Bill Wall and Don Boyer

2000

• The credit union increased the number of employees from 23 to 30.
• Membership increased by more than 1,600 members.
• The credit union added new services: residential land loans, overdraft lines-of-credit, high-yield money-market-style accounts, and a lower threshold on certificates of deposit.
• Accounting manager Eric Brubaker graduated from CUNA (Credit Union National Association) Management School, a three-year college program held at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
• All Midland County students were eligible for MFCU membership.
• The credit union introduced Saturday drive-up service.
• Loan balances increased by $9.4 million, our largest dollar increase ever.
• Bill Wall and Betty Shangle retired. George Yost and Larry Sherwood were appointed to our Board of Directors.
• The 64th Annual Meeting was held at the Midland High School Cafeteria

2001

• New and improved Kids Club program (for members age 12 and under) was introduced, starring Maxwell the Money Monkey. 
• The Ernie Wallace Blood Mobile visited the credit union for a member blood drive.
• The 65th Annual Meeting was held on February 13 at the Midland High School Cafeteria.
• The Members First Credit Union Scholarship was introduced, awarding $500 college scholarships to two deserving members.
• The credit union expanded the mortgage product offerings to include both three and ten year balloon mortgages.

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2002

• Home Equity VISA® program was introduced.
• The groundbreaking of the new Dartmouth Drive branch was May 13, 2002. This branch replaced the Bayliss Street branch, which now serves as an administrative office.
• The credit union had approximately $107 million in assets.
• There were over 15,000 members.
• Members First Credit Union was ranked 34th nationally out of 100 credit unions for 5-year loan growth.
• The 66th Annual Meeting was held on March 12th at the Midland High School Cafeteria.
• The grand opening and ribbon cutting for the new Dartmouth Drive branch took place on October 17th.
• Auto loan rates were offered as low as 4.99% APR as well as a promotion for a 1% Cash Bonus on all new money secured consumer loans.
• A conversion was made to a new data processing system on December 2nd allowing for future growth of the credit union.
• Eric Brubaker was promoted to Vice President of Finance, Pamela Ayers was promoted to Vice President of Lending, and Chris Garver was promoted to Vice President of Operations and Human Resources.
• FirstCall replaced MACS as our new telephone teller.

	May 13, 2002 Left to right: David Thompson, George Yost, Larry Sherwood, Bob Cooper, Terry Graf, Linda Cline, and Diane Bechtel
	October 17, 2002 Dartmouth Office Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Pete Dzuris, President/CEO, cuts the ribbon at the new Dartmouth office. He is surrounded by Management staff and Board members

2003
 

• The 67th Annual Meeting was held March 18, 2003 in the Barstow-Shipps Wing at the Midland Community Center.
• The credit union had over $107 million in assets.
• There were over 15,000 members.
• First @ HOME, our online banking product was introduced on March 31st along with a new website. 
  
   
• Vehicle loan rates and mortgage rates were as low as 3.99% APR.
• In July, we formed a partnership with Member First Mortgage, LLC to offer a full range of mortgage services to our credit union members.
• Kids Day took place on August 6th. The day turned out to be a success and around 200 kids were able to enjoy a fun-filled day with Maxwell the Money Monkey.
• On October 1, 2003 the credit union joined the CO-OP ATM Network, giving their members access to over 17,000 surcharge-free ATMs nationwide. 
                                                                                                                                       
   
  
   

Pamela Ayers, V.P. of Lending Celebrates 15 years of employment

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2004
 

• In an effort to help fight identity theft, the credit union offered free credit reports to the membership.
• In April Member PrivilegeSM, an overdraft protection, was introduced to the product line.
• The credit union began taking members on bus trips. The first trip was a success to see the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. 
   
• The Annual golf outing changed to "Swinging for Scholarships", any money raised now goes towards the scholarship fund. This year we raised $2,500!
• Visa Gold credit card was introduced with a lower rate than the Visa Classic and extra benefits.
• We introduced a super high yield account and also lengthened the terms on certificates of deposit.
• Chairman, Linda Cline, retires from the board after 30 years of volunteering. David Thompson now takes on the role of chairman. Elizabeth Christiansen becomes a new board member.

Linda Cline celebrates her 30 years of volunteering with a staff party.

• Members First partners with Junior Achievement of Central Michigan at Eastlawn Elementary School. Through this partnership our staff volunteered in classrooms, providing Junior Achievement programs to first through fifth graders.
• The credit union introduced online Bill Pay. With internet access and First@HOME online banking our members were able to pay bills directly from their account.
• The lending department policy changed to risk based lending. Interest rates now depend on the members credit score.

2005

• In March the credit union's Field of Membership transitioned into a Community Charter. Membership eligibility now includes those persons who live, work, worship, or attend school in Midland, Bay, Saginaw, Gratiot, Isabella, Clare, and Gladwin counties.
• With 45 employees, the credit union reached the highest number of employees to date.
• VISA® Gift Cards were introduced.
• Credit union branches were opened at Midland High School and H.H. Dow High School. The partnership, formed with Midland Public Schools, will allow the credit union to assist the schools with the educational process of teaching youth the importance of financial management and how to make sound financial decisions.
• After the Gulf Coast devastation of Hurricane Katrina, the credit union made a $5,000 donation to relief and humanitarian efforts. An additional $1,100 in member donations was matched.
• A Student Club was introduced in October for our members between the ages of 13 and 18. Similar to the Kids Club, students will be rewarded for smart savings habits.

2006

• 2006 marked the credit union's 70th year anniversary. We celebrated our 70 years with hot dogs, chips, refreshments, and umbrellas for our members.
• There were over 18,000 members and the credit union reached $134 million in assets.
• Ann Kwast celebrated 20 years of employment with Members First Credit Union.
• Peter P. Dzuris resigned as President/CEO of Members First Credit Union to pursue an opportunity with Northland Area Credit Union.
• The credit union introduced the new Maxwell the Money Monkey newsletter and the Making the Grade newsletter.     
   
• An improved Tiered Super High Yield account was introduced.   
   
• 55-week and 44-week Certificates of Deposit were introduced with rates as high as 5.55% APY.
• The credit union offered a free educational seminar to our members and others within the community regarding Retirement: Are Your Finances As Ready As You Are?
• The golf outing was held at Currie Municipal Golf Course on June 20, 2006. We were able to award out $4,500 in scholarships to six deserving students with the money raised during the golf outing.
• Kids Day was held at Plymouth Park on August 8, 2006 for the first time.
• Expansion began at the Wackerly Street Office.

2007

• Eric J. Brubaker became President/CEO of Members First Credit Union.
• The credit union ran a promotion that added 1/4% APY to any new money Certificate of Deposit that was opened during January and February.
• A $2 Million loan promotion was ran during the months of February and March. Based on the products and services that a member had with the credit union, the member could take up to 0.75% off of their consumer loan rate.
• Youth Loans were introduced to help members under the age of 18 establish good borrowing and saving habits.
• Free community education seminar to ensure that you were financially ready to purchase your first home was held at the Dow Diamond on April 25.
• eStatements were introduced.
• Aaron Samborn and Gaila Parsons were awarded the Presidents Award.
• The golf outing was held at Currie Municipal Golf Course on June 19, 2007. We were able to award $5,000 in scholarships to six deserving students with the money raised during the golf outing.
• 7th annual Kids Day was held at Midland Cinemas with over 100 Kids Club members attending.
• MCULLAF Grand Raffle winner was our member, Seth Wismer! He had the choice of a Jeep Wrangler or $20,000 cash, he took the cash. Seth is pictured below with Eric Brubaker and Donna our Dartmouth MSR who sold Seth the ticket.  Donna was awarded $500 and a paid day off.

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2008

• Holly Shangle and Lindsay Wendling were awarded the Presidents Award
• Free community education seminar was held on How to Become a Millionaire during Smart Money week in April.
• 8th annual Kids Day was held on August 19th at the Chippewa Nature Center
• Changes were made to the Dartmouth office; drive-up ATM, provided ample parking, and a longer drive-thur approach
• Introduced the Whatever Loan-allowing members with no credit qualifications to receive a $1,000 for whatever they needed it for

2009

• Diane Kerns and Theresa Krotzer were awarded the Presidents Award
• 9th annual Kids Day was held on August 11th at Whiting Forest
• 24 hour lending service was introduced, allowing members to apply for a loan 24 hours a day 7 days a week
• eAlerts were introduced
• At the end of 2009, we made a positive difference for over 700 members through the Whatever Loan 

2010

• Membership has grown to 19,730 and we reached $176,860,000 in assests
• Credit union branch was opened at Bullock High School with a ribbon cutting held on March 2. This partnership will allow the credit union to teach the students the importance of financial management and how to make sound financial decisions. 

Lancer Branch ribbon cutting held on March 2 Pictured from right is: Trish Ross, Brenda Tucker, Derick Woodcock and Stephanie Warner

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