ELGA Credit Union Celebrating 75 Years

Celebrating 75 Years of People Helping People

ELGA Credit Union’s story began in the 1940s and early 1950s. At that time, many employees of Consumers Power Company earned less than the average industrial worker in the area. They needed affordable financial services and a safe place to save and borrow money. With encouragement from Michigan Bell Telephone Federal Credit Union, a new credit union was created to serve Consumers Power employees and their families.

In January 1951, the Flint District Consumers Power Federal Credit Union was officially formed during a meeting in a company lunchroom. Just one month later, in February 1951, it received federal approval and officially opened. In 1959, the credit union officially changed its name to EL-GA Federal Credit Union.

EL-GA Federal Credit Union continued to grow quickly. In 1966, the credit union hired its first full-time Treasurer and Manager, Charles F. Kolin. In 1967, EL-GA FCU opened its first branch on Dort Highway, which served as its main office for nearly 30 years.

As EL-GA FCU expanded, it welcomed new members through several mergers, allowing more people in the community to access credit union services. These included Flint Area Employees Credit Union (1980), Building Trades AFL CIO Credit Union (1988), and North Flint Catholic Credit Union (1990). New branches followed in Davison (1989), Flushing (1990), Burton (1997), and many more in the years after.

In 1993, Karen Church became CEO. Under her leadership, ELGA Credit Union modernized its operations and created new departments, including Marketing, IT, and Human Resources. Finally, in 1995, the name officially became ELGA Credit Union, the brand we know today.

ELGA Credit Union reached $100 million in assets in 2001. By 2020, that number had grown to $1 billion. This growth reflects the trust and support of members throughout the community.

More branches opened across mid-Michigan, including:

• Clio (2003)
• Flint (2006)
• Lapeer (2007)

• Fenton (2008)

• Saginaw (2017)

• Goodrich (2017)

• Downtown Flint (2019)

• Linden (2019)

• Holly (2019)

• Grand Blanc (2021)

• Bay City (2025)

In 2022, Terry Katzur was named CEO, and ELGA Credit Union opened its new Headquarters in Grand Blanc. The credit union also formed new teams focused on innovation and digital services to better serve members now and in the future.

In 2025, ELGA CU expanded again with new Bay City branches and a merger with COPOCO Community Credit Union, bringing even more members into the ELGA CU family.

ELGA Credit Union is widely recognized for deep community involvement through efforts such as Stuff A Blue Goose, Breast Cancer Awareness initiatives, the ABC12 Diaper Drive, Big Brothers Big Sisters Bowling, Raise the Purse, and so much more.

But its most enduring legacy of giving began in 2020, with the establishment of the ELGA Credit Union Foundation for Impact. The Foundation is dedicated to “helping people, changing lives through philanthropy, financial education, and entrepreneurial support.”

In 2022, the Foundation launched its Endowment Campaign, creating a permanent fund designed to support community needs for generations to come. Donors are honored on a donor wall at the ELGA CU Headquarters in Grand Blanc, with named tiers recognizing contributions from $250 to $20,000.

A Future Built on Service

What started in a small lunchroom in 1951 has grown into a 1.8 billion-dollar credit union serving communities across Michigan. But even as ELGA Credit Union has grown, its mission has stayed the same: helping people achieve financial success.

For 75 years, ELGA Credit Union has supported families, businesses, students, and nonprofits. We have helped members buy homes, start businesses, pay for college, and build brighter futures.

And we are just getting started.

With continued growth, strong leadership, evolving technology, and a lasting commitment through our Foundation, ELGA Credit Union will continue to serve and strengthen our communities for many years to come.

Because at ELGA Credit Union, we don’t just serve the community — we are part of it.