Educators Credit Union (Wisconsin)

Educators Credit Union is a credit union based in southeastern Wisconsin, with 24 branches across seven counties. Founded in 1937 as the Racine Teachers Credit Union, membership has expanded greatly over time, to include all residents of eleven Wisconsin counties as of 2020.

History
The Racine Teachers Credit Union was founded in 1937, created by 41 local public school teachers who volunteered their time to run the non-profit organization. The credit union was incorporated in the state of Wisconsin in April 1937. At the time of its founding, it was one of eleven credit unions in Racine. By 1959, it had become the largest credit union in Racine, with assets of $475,435.

By 1971, the credit union had assets of more than $5,000,000, and was serving employees of Dominican College, Union Grove Joint School District, and private and parochial schools in Racine. The credit union began expanding its services beyond Racine County school employees in 1972, with the opening of an office on the University of Wisconsin-Parkside campus in Kenosha County. On August 24, 1973, another branch opened in Burlington, serving public school employees in the city of Burlington and the neighboring towns of Rochester and Waterford. Reflecting the fact that the organization's services were not limited to Racine teachers, its name was changed to Educators Credit Union in February 1974. The same year, ECU left its Racine location at Washington Square for a newly-built office at 1400 North Newman Road. Another branch opened in Waukesha in August 1974.

In 1976, ECU became the first credit union in Racine County to offer checking accounts.