amarillo chamber of commerce - HPN Books

Founded January 19, 1935, with ten Amarilloteachers as the first contributors, the EducationCredit Union operates under the philosophy of“excelling in service, care, and financial protectionfor their members and their families.” ECUis a nonprofit institution where members sharein the profits through their cooperative ownershipof $150 million in assets and low costservices. Initially the credit union staff was allvolunteers and they operated out of a cigarbox. Eventually ECU moved to a room in theWolflin School. In the late 1960s, paid staff wasadded and buildings were purchased.Today there are two ECU locations inAmarillo, one in Canyon, and one in Bushland.ECU staff has grown to seventy-five employeesand a membership of more than 17,700. ECUprovides the most contemporary online servicesincluding: home banking, electronic billpayment, funds transfer, mobile and text banking,and online loan applications. In additionto online services, a full service mortgage lendingprogram was launched in recent years.The primary focus of ECU is its membership.It is completely member oriented with avolunteer, non-paid board, and each memberhas one vote. ECU members include public andprivate parochial school employees and studentsfrom sixteen counties. Members of schoolboards, PTA’s, Amarillo College, and West TexasA&M University can also belong to the ECU.Membership is further extended to those living,working, or attending school within a ten mileradius of the Bushland or Canyon Branches.The intense focus on service resulted in ECU’sbeing runner up for the 2010 Better BusinessBureau Torch Award and winning the TorchAward in 2011. The credit union was alsovoted “Best Credit Union” five years in a rowby the readers of Amarillo Globe News.An important service offered to the membershipis education through newsletters andworkshops. ECU’s belief that appropriatefinancial decisions are the hallmark of financialsuccess has compelled ECU’s involvementin youth financial education. ECU employs afull time staff member to teach financialeducation classes at area schools, churches,after school programs, and other youthorganizations. Young people who attend theworkshops learn about savings, borrowing,and responsible spending.ECU underwrites programming on AmarilloCollege’s KACV television station such asBIZ Kids, and also sponsors community eventsrelating to education. ECU proudly supportscareer planning days and activities at theDon Harrington Discovery Center and thePanhandle Plains Historic Museum. The ECUstaff and board raise funds each year thatprovide grants to teachers and classrooms tofinance field trips and provide supplies andtools they would not otherwise receive.Because ECU believes in providing excellentservice to its membership, support and educationextends to future members as well.EDUCATIONCREDIT UNIONAbove: ECU’s original branch on I-40houses their lending, member services,special services/collections, and ourIT departments and features a six lanedrive-up location for convenience.Below: Punk Rock Patty and Jivin’ Jim areseen driving all over town. Their message issimple, “You can be a member, just ask us.”THE MARKETPLACE259