History of Wildfire Credit Union

Wildfire Credit Union is a member-owned, not-for-profit financial institution. Founded in 1937 as the Saginaw Telephone Employees Credit Union, we became Communications Family Credit Union in 1984, and in 2009 we changed our name to Wildfire Credit Union.

History:

Wildfire Credit Union, originally known as Saginaw Telephone Employees Credit Union, first began operating on September 9, 1937. Outlined below is the evolution of the credit union from its early beginnings to present:

1937 – 1939	The first credit union office was located in the basement of the home of Hank Koski, credit union treasurer, at 1672 Hanchett, Saginaw, Michigan.
1939 – 1956	The second credit union office was in the Michigan Bell Building, located at 309 S. Washington in downtown Saginaw. Michigan Bell did not charge the credit union for the use of the office, which the credit union used until 1956.
1956 – 1973	Saginaw Telephone Employees credit union moved to a duplex building at 718 S. Washington Avenue, Saginaw. The credit union started by only using half the duplex, but over time expanded, utilizing the entire building.
1973 – 1977	The credit union office was then moved to 2120 Bay Street, Saginaw for four years.
1977	Saginaw Telephone Employees Credit Union merged with Flint Telephone Employees Credit Union.
1977	Saginaw Telephone Employees Credit Union moved to the current location, 6640 Bay Road, Saginaw.
1984	Saginaw Telephone Employees Credit Union changed its name to Communications Family Credit Union, following the change in membership eligibility, expanded to include employees of communication-related industries, from Flint up to the Mackinac Bridge.
1985	Communications Family Credit Union merged with Bay City Times Credit Union.
1986	The first addition was built onto the office on Bay Road.
1989	Communications Family Credit Union merged with Saginaw News Employees Credit Union.
2000	Second addition was built onto the office on Bay Road.
2002	Opened branch in Heritage High School that operates during lunch hours throughout the school year. A satellite branch was also opened at White Pine Middle School that operates two days a week during the lunch hours when school is in session.
2004	Communications changed its charter to a Community Charter serving the 7 contiguous counties surrounding the main office to include: Saginaw, Bay, Midland, Genesee, Tuscola, Shiawassee and Gratiot counties.
2005	Communications Family Credit Union merged with Midland Area Credit Union, acquiring the MACU office at 917 Saginaw Road in Midland. This is the first public branch of Communications Family Credit Union.
2008	A new Midland branch was built at 100 Joseph Drive, replacing the branch located on Saginaw Road.
2009	In October, 2009 Communications Family Credit Union changed its name to Wildfire Credit Union. At that time the main office lobby on Bay Road was also extensively remodeled to incorporate the new name and branding.
*2010*	In June 2010, Wildfire Credit Union opened a new branch in Saginaw Township at the corner of State Street and Midland Road.
*2010*	In October 2010, the credit union opened another new branch in Bay City on Wilder Road. The school branch at White Pine Middle School expanded its services to two days a week.
2011	In January 2011, the credit union added another school branch at John Glenn High School in Bay City. This branch is open to students and staff throughout the school year during the lunch hours.
2012	In October 2012, our Community Charter now covers 16 additional counties! The additional counties include: Antrim, Arenac, Benzie, Clare, Crawford, Gladwin, Grand Traverse, Iosco, Isabella, Kalkaska, Leelanau, Missaukee, Ogemaw, Otsego, Roscommon, and Wexford.
2012	In November 2012, the credit union added another school branch at Hemmeter Elementary School in Saginaw. This branch is open to students and staff throughout the school year twice a month.
2013	In December 2013, the credit union added on to our Main Branch with a three story expansion for additional employees and to allow for future growth to better serve our members.
2019	In February 2019, our Community Charter expanded to serve the entire State of Michigan. Now everyone who works, lives, worships or attends school in the State of Michigan is eligible to join Wildfire.