East Coast Credit Union

Write a Review910-791-9995

The history of East Coast Credit Union We were chartered in January, 1955 to serve the financial needs of the Corp of Engineers Wilmington District employees. The charter was amended in 1976 to allow other US Government employees membership eligibility. This change meant the credit union could attract a larger group of potential borrowers. Bringing in more customers was the 1983 merger with WILPO Credit Union, adding US Postal employees as eligible members. The credit union began by offering basic share savings and small loans. It thrived by adding new lending products to its list of services. But in 1992, the credit union reached a plateau due to the downsizing of sponsor groups and declining participation by an aging membership population. During the last couple of years there has been a major shift in member behavior from borrowing to saving. The board of directors has added new products and services to their investment line to help retain existing members. In August 2000, the board voted to open the doors to the community. This change allowed those who live, work, worship, or attend school in Bladen, Brunswick, Columbus, Duplin, New Hanover, and Pender Counties to be eligible for membership. The amendment also included businesses located in the same counties. During 2001, with the new community charter in mind, the board of directors added several new products such as VISA check cards, VISA Gold cards, and an interactive website. Our goal is to attract younger members and to stay competitive as an affordable financial alternative to commercial banks.