Our Story DISCOVER | OUR STORY OUR STORYOHIO’S FAITH-BASED CREDIT UNION SINCE 1954 Our mission: We IMPACT the Catholic community by focusing on faith, financial solutions and education. WHY OHIO CATHOLIC FEDERAL CREDIT UNION? For over 70 years, Ohio Catholic Federal Credit Union has helped our members across the state achieve their financial goals. Members choose us for our low loan rates, personal service, and how we give back to the communities where they live, work, and worship. We offer personal and business checking and savings accounts, plus auto loans, mortgages, home equity lines of credit, and more. As a local credit union, you get the level of personalized service you won’t find at larger financial institutions. OUR HISTORY1950s In February 1954, thirteen members of St. Monica Parish and Reverend Hugh Gallagher formed St. Monica Garfield Heights Federal Credit Union. Operation began on March 23, 1954. 1980s In 1981, credit union membership was expanded to include the members, employees, and immediate families of St. Martin of Tours Parish. The name was changed to St. Monica/St. Martin Federal Credit Union and in 1982, the logo, SM/SM FCU, was adopted. In May 1988, ground was broken for a new two-story building to house all credit union operations. This location opened on October 22, 1988, as one of the finest financial institution buildings in the area. 1990s In 1994, the credit union’s field of membership was expanded to include St. Wenceslas Parish (Maple Heights) and employees of Light of Hearts Villa (Bedford). In 1995, the advertised name of the credit union was changed to SM/SM Federal Credit Union. On July 1, 1999, the St. Pius X Parish Credit Union, Inc. merged into the SM/SM Federal Credit Union. New members included: St. Barnabas Catholic Parish (Northfield), St. Mary Catholic Parish (Bedford), St. Pius X Parish (Bedford), and Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish (Macedonia). The first SM/SM Federal Credit Union branch opened on July 1, 1999, in Northfield. THE NEW MILLENNIUM During 2002, a 12,000 square foot addition to the credit union’s main office in back of St. Monica Church (Garfield Heights) was completed. Also in 2002, a 7,200 square foot new branch was constructed in the Alexandria Square Commons on State Route 82 in Macedonia. This replaced the Northfield Branch. On April 15, 2004, SM/SM Federal Credit Union officially expanded membership eligibility to all employees, members, and students of the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland. In July 2004, St. Michael Catholic Parish (Independence) joined the family. On July 29, 2004, the name was changed to Ohio Catholic Federal Credit Union (OCFCU). In January 2005, St. Rocco (Cleveland) and St. Matthew (Akron) joined the Ohio Catholic FCU family. In January 2007, St. Albert the Great (North Royalton) joined the Ohio Catholic FCU family. In August of 2009, Ohio Catholic FCU marked a milestone in its history by reaching one-half of one billion dollars in loans. 2010-2015 February 2010, the Akron office relocated to 1900 West Market Street, Akron. June 2, 2011, eBranch opened to service our members. July 2011, Ohio Catholic Federal Credit Union was named one of the best places to work in Northeast Ohio. Ohio Catholic’s employees’ dedication to its members, the community, and each other earned the credit union the honor of being recognized as one of the Plain Dealer’s Top 100 Best Companies to Work for in Cleveland. September 2012, Ohio Catholic creates a Remote Deposit Capture Program for Catholic entities. March 2013, Ohio Catholic celebrates its 60-Year Anniversary. March 2013, Ohio Catholic awards ten $1,000 scholarships to students in Catholic schools. April 2013, Ohio Catholic is granted a charter expansion by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). This gives the credit union the ability to serve members of all Catholic Dioceses throughout the state of Ohio. September 2013, Augustine Financial Services is created. Augustine is a full-service mortgage company, wholly owned and operated by Ohio Catholic, that gives members a wider variety of mortgage lending solutions to meet their unique needs. Augustine can also offer mortgage lending to other credit unions throughout Ohio. March 2014, $35,000 in Catholic Education Scholarships are awarded to thirty-five families with students in Catholic schools. December 31, 2014, Ohio Catholic celebrates a record-breaking year: net income increased over 1 million dollars; the loan portfolio increased by 3.2 million; assets increased by 3 million dollars; and credit union equity increased by 1.5 million. March 2015, Ohio Catholic increases the Annual Catholic Education Scholarship Giveaway to award $50,000 to fifty families to assist with paying Catholic school tuition. June 2015, Ohio Catholic adds Merchant Services and IOLTA/IOTA accounts to their business banking portfolio. December 31, 2015, Celebrated the 4th consecutive year of growth with net income at 1.5 million. 2016-2022 March 2016, $50,000 in Catholic Education Scholarships are awarded to fifty families with students in Catholic schools. May 2016, the first annual $20,000 Catholic School Grant Program is rolled out to support supplemental learning initiatives in Catholic grade and high schools in Ohio. July 2016, Ohio Catholic welcomes St. Paul’s Parish Federal Credit Union members into the organization. Following the merger, OCFCU grows to approximately 14,500 members with $157 million in assets. Ohio Catholic is the largest faith-based, full-service credit union in Ohio and the fourth largest in the nation. September 2016, the Ohio Catholic FCU Challenge Grant Program was developed to encourage students to work collaboratively and multiply the gifts provided by God. Based on the biblical principles found in the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30), the students are challenged to take what God has provided and be good stewards of the talent. Grants must be applied towards community service or social justice projects or to local, non-profit organizations and programs. March 2017, Ohio Catholic FCU awarded over $41,000 to 102 families through Ohio as part of the Annual Catholic School Scholarship Giveaway. July 2017, Ohio Catholic FCU expands Catholic School Grant Program and awards $55,000 to twenty-one different Catholic schools throughout the Diocese of Cleveland. March 2018, Ohio Catholic FCU awarded over $40,000 to 119 families through Ohio as part of the Annual Catholic School Scholarship Giveaway. 2023 May 2023, the North Canton office opened to service our members. October 2023, our services to members expanded to include Private Wealth Management Visit A Branch Stop by your local branch and we’ll be happy to help you. VISIT US Talk With Us Call (888) 696-4462 or chat live online during business hours. CALL US Open An Account It’s simple to open and fund your account online. JOIN US Make the Most of Your Money With Ohio Catholic Discover how you can unlock your money’s potential and achieve your financial goals with the help of the Ohio Catholic Federal Credit Union! SEE ALL THE POSTS Free Medicare Seminar November 12, 2024Join us at our Garfield Heights branch on November 12 at 10 AM or 1 PM for a […]Donate to the OCFCU Hygiene DriveHelp support our local community by donating Hygiene products until Nov 16th at any Ohio Catholic Branch. All […]Newsletter Q4 2024Read the newsletter below or download it here. Read the latest news from Ohio Catholic! Ohio Catholic FCU […] SEE ALL THE POSTS Every experience I’ve had dealing with OCFCU has been excellent. Everyone is always very helpful and courteous. Allison S.,OCFCU Member Consistently competitive rates and outstanding customer service. Michael S.,OCFCU Member Banking is easy and pleasant. The tellers are very accommodating and well-educated. Bernadette L.,OCFCU Member Download Our Mobile Banking App Manage your finances from anywhere.