Post job

Municipal Credit Union company history timeline

1916

Since its opening in 1916 to this date, MCU had approved more than $250 million in loans to more than 175,000 members and paid more than $9 million in dividends.

Municipal Credit Union was founded in 1916 for municipal workers in New York City.

1920

April 1920 – MCU's president is part of a committee to consider the formation of a state league of credit unions.

April 1920 – MCU helps American Express start a credit union.

1922

March 1922 – The Credit Committee raises the loan amount from 10% of annual salary to 15%.

1926

April 1926 – MCU begins to issue checks to individual creditors in cases where loans are for debt consolidation.

In 1926, Chicago Municipal Employees Credit Union is officially chartered and opens an office in room 207 of City Hall.

1927

In 1927, Chicago’s first airport, the Chicago Municipal Airport (later known as Midway) is completed.

1929

June 1929 – A new by-laws amendment allows an officer or employee of the state of New York residing in the City of New York to also be elected to membership.

December 1929 – MCU has nine employees with salaries totaling $15,197.

1930

January 1930 – Total members: 12,647; Total shares: $1.42 million; Total loans: $1.46 million.

1931

October 1931 – Amid Great Depression, MCU employees agree to donate 1% of their bimonthly salary to a special fund to help unemployed civil servants.

1932

January 1932 – MCU is reported to be the largest state-chartered credit union.

1933

January 1933 – The state Banking Department approves MCU's request to establish Christmas Club accounts, which pay 2% interest.

December 1933 – MCU reports no chargeoff of bad loans during 1933 despite the Depression.

In 1933, the first Major League Baseball All-Star Game is played at Comiskey Park.

1936

March 1936 – MCU begins remitting funds for its 11 employees to the newly established Social Security Administration.

November 1936 – Municipal Credit Union joins the Credit Union National Association.

1937

In 1937, City of Greensboro workers pooled their resources and created Greensboro Municipal.

An MCU branch in 1937. (Courtesy of MCU)

1940

January 1940 – Total members: 26,206; Total shares: $4.15 million; Total loans: $3.48 million.

January 1940 – MCU has 18 employees whose salaries total $33,814.

1941

May 1941 – MCU is authorized to act as an issuing agent for Series E Defense Savings Bonds.

1946

March 1946 – To assist returning veterans, MCU begins accepting applications for loans up to $5,000 with a 4.5% interest rate.

In 1946, CMECU celebrates its 20th anniversary at 105 W. Madison with a three-person staff.

1947

January 1947 – MCU does not charge delinquent interest on loans to members serving in the armed forces.

In 1947, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) begins local transit operations.

1950

January 1950 – Total members: 38,028; Total shares: $9.84 million; Total loans: $9.54 million.

MCU employees in 1950. (Courtesy of MCU/MCU)

1951

May 1951 – MCU adopts a pension plan for its employees.

1954

April 1954 – MCU, in coordination with the state Credit Union League, agrees to sponsor two cooperative housing projects of more than 400 units called Chatham Towers and Chatham Green.

1955

In 1955, Richard J. Daley is elected Mayor of Chicago for the first time.

1956

July 1956 – The MCU board moves to allow an increase in the loan amount from 10% of the member's annual salary to 20%.

In 1956, Public Building Commission is founded.

1957

February 1957 – As directed by the Banking Department, MCU hires its first outside auditing firm.

1960

January 1960 – Total members: 48,000; Total shares: $12.13 million; Total loans: $12,32 million

1961

January 1961 – MCU begins paying dividends semiannually.

1964

In 1964, relocated to 127 N. Dearborn, CMECU has grown to five employees and 5,000 members.

1966

November 1966 – MCU celebrates its 50th anniversary at the New York Downtown Athletic Club.

1968

April 1968 – MCU begins offering joint accounts.

June 1968 – The board, by resolution, authorizes management to enter its first data processing contract with the Service Bureau.

1969

November 1969 – The New York City Housing Authority becomes the first city agency to offer payroll deduction to MCU members.

1970

January 1970 – Total members: 52,397; Total shares: $27.98 million; Total loans: $28.78 million

July 1970 – The city Health and Hospitals Corp. is formed, and its employees immediately become eligible for MCU membership.

1971

September 1971 – MCU relocates its back office from the Manhattan Municipal Building to 156 William St

1972

April 1972 – City Controller Abraham Beame announces a payroll deduction plan for city workers.

1976

In 1976, CMECU turns 50 as the United States celebrates the Bicentennial.

1980

January 1980 – Total members: 137,774; Total shares: $89.89 million; Total loans: $61.03 million.

1981

In 1981, the credit union begins offering checking accounts / “share drafts”.

1983

In 1983, Harold Washington is elected Chicago’s first African-American mayor.

1984

(From l.) MCU CEO Bill Porter, Mayor Ed Koch and MCU Board Director Shirley Jenkins in 1984. (Courtesy of MCU/MCU)

In 1984, CMECU reaches $14 million in assets.

1985

January 1985 – The MCU Bronx branch opens on E. 150th St

1986

October 1986 – The Touch Tone Teller system is established.

Unauthorized attempts to access, upload information or deface this website is strictly prohibited and are subject to prosecution under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act of 1986 and Title 18 USC Sec 1001 and 1030.

In 1986, following the collapse of Hyfin Credit Union amidst charges of fraud and embezzlement, Hyfin was merged with Municipal Credit Union.

1991

September 1991 – MCU begins offering youth accounts.

1993

In 1993, CMECU relocates to 180 N. Lasalle, Suite 1600, begins offering Visa credit cards and becomes the first credit union in Illinois to offer a combination ATM/debit card.

1998

July 1998 – Nyack Hospital Employees Federal Credit Union joins MCU ranks.

In 1998, the Chicago Bulls win their sixth NBA Championship in 8 years.

2001

May 2001 – "MCU OnLine," a PC-based home banking tool, is introduced.

2004

In 2004, CMECU assumes operation of Austin/ West Garfield Federal Credit Union, and opens the credit union’s first branch office at 4909 West Division Street.

2005

In 2005, Public Building Commission joins CMECU Family.

In 2005, Chicago White Sox win their first World Series in 88 years.

2007

In 2007, CMECU starts offering fixed rate first mortgages and Home Equity loans.

2008

In 2008, the Chicago Public Schools join the CMECU family.

2008 – MCU opens the Oceanside, L.I., branch at 3411 Long Beach Road and the East Meadow, L.I., branch at 1 Merrick Ave.

2010

January 2010 — Total members: 313,269; Total shares: $1,28 billion; Total loans: $1.2 billion.

June 2010 — The Brooklyn Cyclones play their first game at the newly named MCU Park (formerly KeySpan Park) in Coney Island.

In 2010, the Chicago Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup.

2011

In 2011, CMECU celebrates its 85th Anniversary.

2012

January 2012 – MCU launches its first mobile banking app.

In 2012, CMECU moves to new offices on the 10th floor at 18 S. Michigan Ave.

2013

In 2013, the Chicago Police Commanding Officers and Sergeants Credit Union and The Health Care Associations Federal Credit Union merge with CMECU.

2014

April 2014 – MCU establishes the Build a Better School Initiative, a public-private-sector partnership to help city schools.

2015

In 2015, CMECU opens its third branch, new South-COS location.

2016

In 2016, the Gage building owners, employees and vendors join the CMECU family.

In 2016, Chicago Cubs win their first World Series in 108 years.

2018

In 2018, CMECU is approved for expanded geographical boundaries to provide financial services for additional residents, employees, employers and family members of those who work or live in Cook County.

2019

Members can continue to conduct normal financial transactions, deposit and access funds, make loan payments, and use shares during the conservatorship." https://www.ncua.gov/newsroom/press-release/2019/municipal-credit-union-conserved

Work at Municipal Credit Union?
Share your experience
Founded
1916
Company founded
Headquarters
Company headquarter
Get updates for jobs and news

Rate how well Municipal Credit Union lives up to its initial vision.

Zippia waving zebra

Municipal Credit Union jobs

Do you work at Municipal Credit Union?

Is Municipal Credit Union's vision a big part of strategic planning?

Municipal Credit Union competitors

Municipal Credit Union history FAQs

Zippia gives an in-depth look into the details of Municipal Credit Union, including salaries, political affiliations, employee data, and more, in order to inform job seekers about Municipal Credit Union. The employee data is based on information from people who have self-reported their past or current employments at Municipal Credit Union. The data on this page is also based on data sources collected from public and open data sources on the Internet and other locations, as well as proprietary data we licensed from other companies. Sources of data may include, but are not limited to, the BLS, company filings, estimates based on those filings, H1B filings, and other public and private datasets. While we have made attempts to ensure that the information displayed are correct, Zippia is not responsible for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained from the use of this information. None of the information on this page has been provided or approved by Municipal Credit Union. The data presented on this page does not represent the view of Municipal Credit Union and its employees or that of Zippia.

Municipal Credit Union may also be known as or be related to Municipal Credit Union.