Personalized banking made accessible
This is not how most people think about their bank; “We’re about helping people make lifestyle changes, and helping them get out of debt.” But those are the sentiments of Chris Blough, CEO of Wayne County Community Federal Credit Union.The Credit Union is opening a new branch in Orrville, after 45 years of serving Wayne County from their office in Smithville. WCCFCU is already serving more than 5000 people in the county, and has a good member base in Orrville. Those members can expect to see familiar faces in the new office. One thing is certain, it’s all Wayne County centered. The staff is local, and it’s made up of people who care about helping their neighbors.
For the last four years the board and staff have been actively working toward their goal of being more available to the community. “We need to be more accessible to the people of Wayne County if we want to serve them,” said Blough. After decades of operating with a single office, the Credit Union is putting its money where its mouth is.
The Credit Union is pumping a lot of resources into Orrville’s downtown, according to Blough. They see Orrville as an ideal place to grow into for a number of reasons. Blough likes the strong Chamber of Commerce in the town, a good business environment, and a healthy Main Street community that is on an upswing.
Blough likes carrying on the tradition of service in Orrville, even in the building the Credit Union acquired for their new branch. They are moving into the renovated Seifried Pharmacy building, a downtown fixture that had served the community for decades. Blough explained, “We want to continue the tradition of being a place that helps people.”
Helping people, to the Credit Union, includes a diversity of banking services. They offer bill pay services, online banking, Visa and prepaid Visa cards. A whole range of loan products are available, including fixed rate mortgages, home equity loans, new and used auto loans. Blough said, “We offer competitive rates on savings products, all fully insured, and we’re always looking for what’s best for our members. This includes low cost loans, with very easy terms.”
The Credit Union takes seriously their commitment to helping members create a better future. One of the ways they do that is with the education programs they offer. “As a Credit Union, our big push is to help members get financially stable, and to help them build wealth,” said Blough. To do this, they offer financial education at the local high schools, and also through community events.
But their education efforts start even younger. One of the institution’s more popular programs is the Piggy Bank Club. It’s a savings club for anyone under 16, where they receive prizes for bringing in their full piggy bank. A Piggy Bank Picnic in the summer and Milk & Cookies with Santa in December help to make it a fun thing for kids. With more than 200 children participating, the institution is helping to make a difference in the community simply by helping these children establish good money habits early.
As a Credit Union, WCCFCU is a not for profit organization whose primary goal is the wellbeing of their members. “Any profit we make is first re-invested in the Credit Union to make membership more valuable,” said Blough. With a local board, he said, their only concern is Wayne County, and how they can better serve their members. Blough does not talk about customers, he only talks about members. He draws a distinction between their way of doing business, compared to a bank who needs to answer to stockholders with an eye on the bottom line.
Unlike the early days of the Credit Union, membership is not limited to certain companies or businesses, and there is no fee for membership. Besides all Wayne County residents, membership is open to anyone who works or attends school in the county, as well as all who worship here.
The new Orrville branch will have evening hours twice a week, and extended hours on Saturday for the convenience of working people. The Smithville office will continue to operate as it always has.
“We want to be the go-to place for Wayne County residents for financial education and services,” said Blough. For Wayne County Community Federal Credit Union, Orrville is the place to be.
The Orrville branch of Wayne County Community Federal Credit Union is located at 100 West Market Street in Orrville. They anticipate a late July opening.