This June marked the 90th anniversary of when President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed into law the Federal Credit Union Act, creating a nationwide network of financial cooperatives.
With the Federal Credit Union Act enacted, visionary credit union pioneers hosted a meeting at the YMCA Camp in Estes Park, Colo., in August 1934. Each state sent one representative. E.H. Berry from Kemba Memphis made the trek to Colorado to represent Tennessee.
The representatives created the Credit Union National Association (now America’s Credit Unions) as a replacement for the Credit Union National Extension Bureau, which advocated for and fostered credit unions in the United States from 1921 until 1934. The organization’s sole purpose was to represent and support credit unions across the country.
In September 1934, credit union leaders from across Tennessee gathered in Nashville to create the Tennessee Credit Union League. League history shows that Tom Doig of the Credit Union National Association spoke to the Tennessee organizers on the purpose of credit unions and the need for forming a state credit union league. He pointed out the need for someone to watch after legislation directed against credit unions and their activities.
Here’s a list of credit unions represented at the initial meeting of the Tennessee Credit Union League. Most of the credit unions listed are no longer in existence, but the ones in bold are still serving members!
AES, Knoxville
Agricultural Extension, Knoxville
The Appeal Papers, Memphis
Armour-Lookout, Chattanooga
Blue Ridge Glass, Kingsport
Chattanooga News
The Chattanooga Times
City Hall, Knoxville
Clover Farm Dairy, Memphis
Fireman, Chattanooga
Fireman, Nashville
First Farm Bureau, Knoxville
Forest Hill Dairy, Memphis
Fulton, Knoxville (Now called First Choice Community Credit Union)
Happy Valley, Elizabethton
Illinois Central Railroad
Kemba, Memphis
Memphis Kerns
Kingsport Press
Knoxville Teachers
Labor Temple, Nashville
L & N Railway, Knoxville
Mead Kingsport (Now called Appalachian Community Credit Union)
Nashville Banner
NC & St. L Railway, Chattanooga
Neuhoff-Swift, Nashville
Old Hickory
Postal Employees, Memphis Post Office
Nashville Railway Postal, Nashville
SeLing, Nashville
Southern Railway Clerks, Knoxville
Eastman, Kingsport
Western Union, Nashville
We are honored to have been the voice of Tennessee credit unions for the past 90 years. Our mission remains the same: to promote and support credit union success and advancement. Here’s a look at how we support you!
- Advocacy: We ensure your voice is heard in Nashville and Washington and provide opportunities to participate in key events like Hike the Hill.
- Compliance: Get expert assistance through our Compliance Hotline, access resources like InfoSight and utilize sample policies via CU PolicyPro.
- Education: Gain access to training, workshops and webinars to keep your credit union prepared for regulatory and operational challenges.
- Community: Join a network of credit union professionals, sharing knowledge, supporting local initiatives and working together to promote financial well-being for all Tennesseans.
- Solutions: Enjoy support from shared branching, strategic planning services and business solutions to help your credit union grow.
Thank you for allowing us to serve you for the past 90 years! As always, please reach out if you have any questions.
Photo Caption
League committee members gather to plan the state convention at the Maxwell House Hotel in Nashville.
