Peoples Choice Credit Union marks 80 years

Peoples Choice Credit Union was chartered on October 15, 1940, as Hurd Employees Credit Union.

The charter consisted of employees and their families of Hurd Millwork Corporation. The charter president was the late Joseph Spanbauer and the charter treasurer was the late Mayor Arthur Salzwedel. Firstyear records show there were 15 members and assets of $23.50.

The credit union started out in the home of the late Arthur Liberty, treasurer of the board of directors. After Arthur retired, it relocated to a small building on the corner of Perkins St. and Wisconsin Av.e. In 1980 the credit union moved into the former Mathews Building on the corner of Whelen Ave. and Broadway Ave. next to the Medford Millpond. January 1996 found the credit union moving once again, this time to their current location on 8th Street (Hwy. 13), just north of highways 13 and 64 intersection.

Along with moving several times, the credit union also changed its name a few times. It was changed from Hurd Employees Credit Union to Industrial Credit Union in June 1971. The field of membership was expanded to include the employees and the families of most of the industries in Medford. In June 1983, Industrial Credit Union was granted a community charter, open to all persons residing in or employed in Taylor County, members of their immediate family, and associations or organizations of such members. As a result of this new field of membership, it was decided to change the name.

During the annual meeting in February 1996, the membership voted to approve the name change to Peoples Choice Credit Union. Effective April 2001, the Commissioner of Credit Unions once again approved expanding the charter to serve any person residing or working in Taylor or Clark County. In 2013, Mary Henrichs was named CEO.

On October 1, 2015, Peoples Choice Credit Union took over the assets of the Gilman Area Credit Union. With this merger, Peoples Choice opened the Gilman branch and expanded the field of membership.

Peoples Choice Credit Union is now open to everyone residing, employed, or that are owners of real estate in Taylor, Clark, Chippewa, Rusk, and Price Counties.

Over its 80 years of serving the community with financial needs. Peoples Choice Credit Union has taken an active role in being a community leader.

Peoples Choice has staff members involved in many area organizations including the Medford Kiwanis Club, Medford Chamber of Commerce and Chamber Ambassadors, Business Connectors and other groups.

Peoples Choice is a partner organization with Huey’s Hideaway Children’s Museum helping spread the credit union message to young people. The credit union has also spearheaded the Project Comfort and Joy program now in its fifth year and has been a major supporter of the Christmas Wish program.

Not content to rest on its laurels, the credit union has challenged itself to celebrate its 80th anniversary by doing 80 acts of kindness in the community.

Employees also serve in leadership roles in the financial industry with an employee serving on the board of directors of the regional credit union chapter.