Wayne County Community Federal Credit Union: A locally-owned “bank” with a world of services to offer
Checking and savings, affordable loan options, state-of-the-art online services and even a mobile app makes WCCFCU an indispensable resource for members that like to see their money stay in their community where it can do the most good.
At WCCFCU the members call the shots, and the services they need to keep pace with an ever-changing and challenging world are readily available and free to members that live, work, attend school or worship in Wayne County.
Two branches, access via computer or smart phone and the convenience of using any ATM allow members to have access to their accounts and more importantly, their money, when they need it.
Stop in the Smithville or Orrville branch to find out why more than 5,000 members have chosen to bank with WCCFCU.
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Wayne County Community Federal Credit Union (WCCFCU) is made up of your friends, neighbors, and even family and is in place for the sole purpose of making life easier for their members. With no stockholders to please, the commitment to member satisfaction is what fuels the hard-working and dedicated staff at both Wayne County locations.
WCCFCU has invested in the latest technology in order to bring members the services they need and expect when they choose to bank with a hometown organization. With checking and savings, low-cost loans for real estate, automobiles and even that boat or camper you've always wanted, WCCFCU's rates aren't just competitive, they are lower. "We are able to keep our rates low for our members because we have a lower overhead," said CEO Chris Blough. "We continue to put our resources back into our products and services that will benefit our members."
The way you bank is changing and WCCFCU offers convenient online services that allow members to do their banking even when they can't get to the credit union. "Despite these modern conveniences, it does not negate the fact that a human is always available when you call or stop in the credit union during business hours," Blough noted.
With online banking, members can keep track of their accounts and utilize the online bill payment service. "Having the ability to pay all your bills from one central location eliminates the confusion of multiple passwords, saves stamps, and can be custom tailored to meet the needs of the member," said Blough.
"Online banking is infinitely more secure than ever before," Blough added. "It eliminates a lot of human error like forgetting to sign a check when paying a bill or forgetting to document a withdrawal or deposit."
In keeping pace with the more mobile lifestyles of Wayne County residents, WCCFCU has taken nearly a year to develop and test a mobile app that enables members to do nearly all of their banking from their smart phone. "Members can transfer money and send us secure messages regarding their accounts," said Blough. "Another great feature is the ability to graph their spending. Sometimes that is not always going to be good news, so the app will allow members to set goals and adjust their spending habits so they are making smarter choices."
Members can access any ATM in the world and be reimbursed for fees up to $15 a month. "There is no reason to believe banking with a locally owned credit union is going to put you at a disadvantage," said Blough. "Rather than invest in infrastructure that already exists by building more ATM's, we realized it made more sense for our members to have the freedom to access the machines that are already in place. Wayne County has more than enough ATM's already in place. Giving our people the fees back is just one way we put the needs of members first."
"The credit union is banking in the verb sense," said Blough. "But in every other sense, it is a service organization. Our focus is far from that of a bank that is merely trying to generate a profit for stockholders. Our members are what matters here. We are pushed from the bottom up. Our members own us."
There is no membership fee at WCCFCU and anyone that lives, works, attends school or worships in Wayne County can become a member. "We want our members to make sound financial decisions. Our goal is to help our members get to a point where they don't have to borrow," said Blough. "With more than 5,000 members, we are succeeding in changing the way Wayne County banks."
Stop in the Smithville office, located just off state Route 585 east of the Wayne County Schools Career Center, at 311 Kaufman Dr., Smithville or the Orrville office on the corner of Market and Main at 100 West Market St. downtown, for a hot cup of coffee and learn more about becoming a credit union member.
This article was underwritten by Wayne County Community Federal Credit Union.
Published: April 27, 2012
