Financial Center First Credit Union broke ground on April 10, 2019 on a 3,450 square foot branch at the northwest corner of Dixon and Boulevard. The groundbreaking took place in conjunction with an announcement to merge Kokomo Heritage Federal Credit Union, a $10 million credit union formerly associated with Continental Steel with Financial Center, a 66-year-old, $560 million, state chartered credit union headquartered in Indianapolis.

Known for its focus on financial education, Financial Center’s new location will feature: a financial library, interactive kiosks where members can access Wealth Builder Online – the Credit Union’s online financial education platform, state-of-the-art conference offices, and a 1,000 square foot education center that will host free financial education classes and serve as a free community meeting space for local groups and clubs.

The Center will also have two drive ups, a drive-up ATM, a coffee café and a coin counter. Financial Center also participates in the CO-OP Shared Branching Network which allows members of participating credit unions to do a range of transactions at other participating credit unions. The Network is made up of more than 5,600 credit union branches in all 50 states.

The merger will take place in the fall of 2019 upon the opening of the new branch. The combined credit unions will be able to better serve the growing service and technology needs of Kokomo Heritage’s members and open up Financial Center membership eligibility to anyone who lives or works in Howard and Tipton Counties.

“As credit unions, we’re owned by our members, and the most exciting thing about this merger is that it’s the member-owners of both credit unions who will benefit from our growth,” said Financial Center President and CEO, J. Kevin Ryan. “As an organization whose mission is to help members improve their financial lives, this new location will offer expanded services, financial education, and exceptional service by the staff that Kokomo Heritage members already know and trust.”

Kokomo Heritage’s membership will continue to be served by the Credit Union’s existing staff and its current CEO, Art Lehman, will assume Financial Center leadership in the market as Chief Officer, Kokomo.

“Financial Center was a natural fit for Kokomo Heritage with shared common values and a desire to do right by our members,” said Art Lehman, CEO of Kokomo Heritage Federal Credit Union. “This partnership allows us to provide our members with expanded financial services including mortgage, investments and insurance, enhanced mobile and internet banking and data security, and greater support of the local community. We are proud to be joining the Financial Center family,”

Financial Center is donating Kokomo Heritage’s current branch located on Courtland Avenue to the Literacy Coalition of Howard County, Inc.

Exterior and lobby views of the Financial Center First Credit Union branch being built at the corner of Dixon and Boulevard scheduled to open in the Fall of 2019.