About Us / Our History

OUR HISTORY

CommunityWide Federal Credit Union was founded in September of 1967 as West Washington Association Federal Credit Union. Its purpose was to provide the persons of modest means in the near west side of South Bend with high value financial services, including financial counseling and education. It depended on the efforts of concerned citizens and seed money from the Catholic Church to survive.

In September 1975, the credit union's name was changed to St. Joseph County Community Federal Credit Union and became an associational credit union serving members of the Urban League of South Bend and St. Joseph County. This made it possible to extend financial services to many more persons in the local area. It was located on the southeast corner of Western and Walnut Street.

In October 1978, as a struggling credit union with only $250,000 in assetts, it was moved to the Credit Union Service Center office at 740 S. Chapin Street and was place under the service center's management. Improved facilities and services helped it attract many new members and improved profitability. Acquisition of he assets of Allied Products Federal Credit Union were acquired in December 1980 which helped to further expand the credit union's base.

In January 1982, White Farm (Oliver) and AMG Credit Unions were merge into Community (St. Joseph County) Federal Credit Union which continued to be operated by Credit Union Service Center at the Chapin Street location. The foresight of the credit unions' directors created a credit union of $1.7 million in assets, which while not being especially large for a credit union at that time, this combined unit was able to offer namy new products and services not before possible, and the credit union flourished, growing several times over during the next few years.

During the next several years, a number of credit unions decided to merge into Community (SJC) FCU. These credit unions served a number of area employee groups, including NIPSCO, U, S. Government Employees, Sibley, Mastic, and Wheel Horse. These mergers contributed to the growth of the credit union. However, the response from new members from the community provided for most of the asset growth during this period.

In 1985, the credit union's name was changed to CommunityWide Federal Credit Union. There has been many products, services, and facility changes since then. In retrospect, some may seem to be rather insignificant, but at the time were major steps.

CommunityWide FCU continues to focus on providing high value financial services to our members. It has enjoyed considerable expansion, now with eleven offices in the Michiana area and over $290 million in assets.

• April 1982 - Checking accounts and check cashing was offered, which required handling cash.
• March 1984 - Our second full service office was opened on E. McKinley Avenue in Mishawaka.
• June 1984 - Home Equity Loans were offered.
• August 1985 - Visa cards were offered.
• October 1988 - Our third full service office on W. Ireland Road in South Bend was opened.
• January 1989 - Saturday office hours were started.
• April 1989 - IRA accounts were offered.
• June 1989 - "Sybil", our phone teller was offered.
• August 1990 - Our E. McKinley ofice was moved to W. Edison Road in Mishawaka.
• October 1990 - Our fourth full service office on W. Sample Street in South Bend was opened.
• January 1993 - ATM cards were issued to members.
• January 1994 - Tax service and refund loans were offered.
• October 1994 - Dividends on a daily basis were paid on all accounts.
• February 1996 - "Funds" savings accounts were offered.
• January 1998 - The newly built Western Avenue headquarters office replaced the Chapin and Sample Street offices.
• January 2000 - A newly built office on LincolnWay East in Mishawaka office opened.
• January 2002 - Newly built offices on E. Ireland Road in South Bend and Hickory Road in Mishawaka replace our W. Ireland Road and W. Edison Road offices.
• February 2002 - Michiana Goodwill Boosters became an association affiliate.
• May 2004 - Our fifth full service office was opened on Fir Road in Granger.
• December 2006 - Our sixth full service office was opened on S.R. #933 in South Bend.
• December 2008 - The Marine Corps League of SJV became an association affiliate.
• January 2009 - Our seventh full service office was opened on Cassopolis St. in Elkhart..
• April 2009 - Our eighth full service office was opened on W. Jefferson St. in Plymouth.
• January 2010 - Our ninth full service office was opened on Lincolnway East in Goshen.
• January 2011 - Our tenth full service office will open near LWE and Ironwood in South Bend.
• Fall 2011 - Our eleventh full service office will open on U.S. #30 east of S.R. #15 in Warsaw.

Because we have offered excellent personal service and financial services that have high value, Communitywide has grown in strength and size. Our current assets of over $290 million and membership of more than 39,000 make us one of the larger credit unions in the Michiana area. This trend is expected to continue.

Why not bring all of your savings and checking funds to Communitywide? You'll be glad you did!