Erie Federal Credit Union started as a way for educators to loan money to each other. Seventy-seven years later, the mission of “people helping people” continues.

“We like to think we provide services to people and businesses with a more personal experience,” CEO Mary Beth Wilcher says.

While banks work for profit, credit unions return much of their earnings to their members. At Erie Federal Credit Union, that added personal touch is part of doing business. “That is always something we strive for moving forward,” Wilcher says.

Moving forward means growth and a widening of services. The credit union will open its new corporate offices and a branch location at the former Glenwood Elementary School building, 3503 Peach Street, next summer. “With any growth comes expansion. We're simply out of space,” Wilcher says. “That's why we purchased Glenwood School — to move our corporate offices and have an attached branch on Peach Street, a main thoroughfare.”

New technology is helping Erie Federal Credit Union make life easier for its members as well. On top of their popular online banking website, smartphone users can do mobile banking through the credit union's EZ Mobile App, available for both android and iPhone.

Opening a checking account usually means waiting for a debit card to arrive in the mail, but not anymore at Erie Federal Credit Union. They offer instant-issue debit cards, which means the day you open your checking account is the day you get your card. If you lose your card, it's also easier to get a replacement. “Rather than wait for us to send you a card in the mail, we can print a card by request at any branch office,” Wilcher says.

These innovations are moving the credit union forward. What began in 1936 as a group of Erie educators pooling their money together is now 115 employees, seven branches and over $380 million in assets.

The credit union received a community charter in 2003, meaning that anyone who lives, works, worships, or attends school in Erie County could become a member of the credit union. This also prompted a name change to the Erie Federal Credit Union to reflect the inclusion of new members.

The credit union grew, in part, due to mergers and acquisitions of other smaller credit unions. “But that's only a small piece of how we grew,” Wilcher says. “We continue to grow for the most part from member referrals. People trust their friends who recommend us, and we think that's awesome.”

“We've listened to our members,” adds Susan King, marketing specialist at the credit union. “They want convenience, ease of access and great service. We strive to meet their needs.”

Their service doesn't stop with just personal financial services, however. “As part of our community extension, a lot of our efforts have been for the area's business community,” says Chief Marketing Officer Tom Brennan. “They are our members, too.”

Erie Federal Credit Union is the only credit union in Erie and Crawford counties to offer commercial lending. “This was not just another product,” Brennan says. “This was something that our members, who are business owners, need and were asking for.”

“We realize and believe as a credit union, that jobs start with small business, so we need to generate enough growth in that sector to add jobs to the market,” adds Wilcher. “If we help small businesses do that without a lot of red tape, then we're helping to grow our community.”

But, for Erie Federal Credit Union, building the community's infrastructure isn't enough. They are also committed to financial literacy efforts in area schools. “It is so important for people to know what they are signing, what they're reading and how to budget appropriately,” says Wilcher. “We go out and work with students so they can have the tools to make financially sound decisions now and in the future. Our financial literacy website, TeachMeAboutMoney.org is available to the public.

Employees at the credit union are encouraged to volunteer for local organizations, adds Wilcher. “We consider ourselves to have skin in the game. We work with these organizations; we don't just throw money at them and not show up. It's about commitment to our community.”

“We always strive to be good stewards in the community,” Brennan says. “Making a difference in the community we serve has always been the credit union difference.”Erie Federal Credit Union started as a way for educators to loan money to each other. Seventy-seven years later, the mission of “people helping people” continues.

“We like to think we provide services to people and businesses with a more personal experience,” CEO Mary Beth Wilcher says.

While banks work for profit, credit unions return much of their earnings to their members. At Erie Federal Credit Union, that added personal touch is part of doing business. “That is always something we strive for moving forward,” Wilcher says.

Moving forward means growth and a widening of services. The credit union will open its new corporate offices and a branch location at the former Glenwood Elementary School building, 3503 Peach Street, next summer. “With any growth comes expansion. We're simply out of space,” Wilcher says. “That's why we purchased Glenwood School — to move our corporate offices and have an attached branch on Peach Street, a main thoroughfare.”

New technology is helping Erie Federal Credit Union make life easier for its members as well. On top of their popular online banking website, smartphone users can do mobile banking through the credit union's EZ Mobile App, available for both android and iPhone.

Opening a checking account usually means waiting for a debit card to arrive in the mail, but not anymore at Erie Federal Credit Union. They offer instant-issue debit cards, which means the day you open your checking account is the day you get your card. If you lose your card, it's also easier to get a replacement. “Rather than wait for us to send you a card in the mail, we can print a card by request at any branch office,” Wilcher says.

These innovations are moving the credit union forward. What began in 1936 as a group of Erie educators pooling their money together is now 115 employees, seven branches and over $380 million in assets.

The credit union received a community charter in 2003, meaning that anyone who lives, works, worships, or attends school in Erie County could become a member of the credit union. This also prompted a name change to the Erie Federal Credit Union to reflect the inclusion of new members.

The credit union grew, in part, due to mergers and acquisitions of other smaller credit unions. “But that's only a small piece of how we grew,” Wilcher says. “We continue to grow for the most part from member referrals. People trust their friends who recommend us, and we think that's awesome.”

“We've listened to our members,” adds Susan King, marketing specialist at the credit union. “They want convenience, ease of access and great service. We strive to meet their needs.”

Their service doesn't stop with just personal financial services, however. “As part of our community extension, a lot of our efforts have been for the area's business community,” says Chief Marketing Officer Tom Brennan. “They are our members, too.”

Erie Federal Credit Union is the only credit union in Erie and Crawford counties to offer commercial lending. “This was not just another product,” Brennan says. “This was something that our members, who are business owners, need and were asking for.”

“We realize and believe as a credit union, that jobs start with small business, so we need to generate enough growth in that sector to add jobs to the market,” adds Wilcher. “If we help small businesses do that without a lot of red tape, then we're helping to grow our community.”

But, for Erie Federal Credit Union, building the community's infrastructure isn't enough. They are also committed to financial literacy efforts in area schools. “It is so important for people to know what they are signing, what they're reading and how to budget appropriately,” says Wilcher. “We go out and work with students so they can have the tools to make financially sound decisions now and in the future. Our financial literacy website, TeachMeAboutMoney.org is available to the public.

Employees at the credit union are encouraged to volunteer for local organizations, adds Wilcher. “We consider ourselves to have skin in the game. We work with these organizations; we don't just throw money at them and not show up. It's about commitment to our community.”

“We always strive to be good stewards in the community,” Brennan says. “Making a difference in the community we serve has always been the credit union difference.”