Team One History
Team One Credit Union was organized by a group of 15 teachers in 1935. At its inception, it was known as the Saginaw Teachers Club Credit Union. In the early years, the credit union was maintained at Saginaw High School in the physics classroom of teacher and credit union treasurer Mr. Poulson. In 1957, Dean Ruple and his wife, Lois, ran the credit union from their front porch, and new teachers to the area were often given loans for clothes and apartments. It was also common for Dean Ruple to give teachers the money to open membership accounts.
In 1967, the Saginaw Main Office opened and the first credit union employee, Don Pilon, was hired. He eventually became the first CEO of Team One Credit Union. Upon Don’s retirement, Konnie Werner was named President/CEO. At the time of Konnie Werner’s retirement, the Board of Directors named Gerald Hutto as her replacement.
At the end of 2022, the Team One Credit Union Board of Directors announced the appointment of Derrick Barber as the credit union’s new President/CEO. Mr. Barber succeeds Mr. Hutto, who retired after serving as President/CEO for 12 years.
Since the credit union was established, it has seen tremendous growth in assets, loans, and branch facilities, as well as new services and technologies which serve its Members. For its almost 90 years, Team One Credit Union has been able to accomplish substantial growth with the help of its dedicated Board of Directors and caring Staff, who have contributed their time and effort to the success and future of the institution and its Members.
History of Our Branches
Saginaw Main, Thomas Township and Saginaw Township Branch
Saginaw Main
The Main office on Hayden Street in Saginaw, across from the Saginaw Public Schools Board of Education, was opened in 1967. That structure was torn down in 1983, and the current facility was built to accommodate the increase in membership. In July of 2006, remote teller stations were installed in the lobby for walk-in transactions. In 2014, a new addition was added to the existing building nearly doubling the size of the Main office to accommodate our growing staff and membership base.
Thomas Township
On March 13, 2006 we opened the Thomas Township banking center located on Gratiot Road in Saginaw. This office features full-service financial services and the company’s first remote teller stations (RTS). These RTS units are complete with a phone to talk privately with the MSR, a tube to send the transaction to the MSR (similar to a drive-thru system) and an interactive video monitor so the member and the MSR can see each other for face-to-face banking.
Saginaw Township
Our Saginaw Township branch opened in June 1997. Designed as a contemporary, high-tech facility, this branch was built at the request of members who wanted credit union services in the Township. It has all the latest in financial services delivery, including interactive video monitors in the drive-thru. There are two ATM’s at this location - one in the drive-thru and the other in the lobby.
Bad Axe Branch
In Elkton, a merger with the Elkton Area Credit Union enabled the credit union to expand into Huron County. An ATM was installed in Elkton in 1996 about a block from the office. In November of 2004, we moved from the Elkton location to a brand new building in Bad Axe with drive thru service and an ATM lane to service a larger member base. An additional Team One ATM is located at Huron Community Hospital.
Sandusky Branch
In Sandusky, the merger with the Sanilac County Teachers Credit Union allowed members in this section of the Thumb to finally receive full service from their credit union. In 2004, the existing office was removed to make room for the new 4,000 square foot facility with 3 drive-up lanes and an ATM lane. During construction, Team One was temporarily located at 462 W. Sanilac Road in the Sandusky Plaza (near Family Dollar). In 2018 a full service ATM was installed on Sanilac Road.
Bay City Branch
In August 2005, we opened a branch inside the Wal-Mart store in Bay City. In August of 2010, we relocated our Bay City Office from the Walmart store to an office on Wilder Road and installed a stand-alone drive up ATM at that site. In 2014, we relocated our Bay City office to a beautifully remodeled full service branch in Historic downtown Bay City located at 401 E. Midland Street, with drive-up lanes, a 24 Hour Drive up ATM and safe deposit boxes. In 2021, we installed Drive-up ITMs.
Caro Branch
The Caro branch began with our general manager handling credit union transactions once a week for members from a Caro motel room. For many years the Caro branch operated out of two locations on Cleaver Road. The Caro main office was a full service walk in branch with a full array of financial service offerings.
A few blocks down, members could conduct Drive Thru transactions at the Caro Express office. In September 2010, the two offices were combined at the Caro Express site (1130 Cleaver Rd.) into a brand new state of the art building. The new office building is approximately 4,700 square feet and offers a 24-hour drive up ATM and 3 drive-thru lanes. Additional Team One ATMs in Tuscola County are located at the Caro Plaza, the Caro Community Hospital and in Sebewaing.
Traverse City Branch
In 2014, we opened a branch in Traverse City specializing in Commercial Loans, Real Estate Loan and Indirect Auto Lending and member service. We have also added several ATMs throughout our service area to better serve our growing membership.
Owosso Branch
In February 2015, Owosso Columbus Credit Union merged with Team One bringing our number of branches throughout Michigan to 10. The merger provided OCCU Members with a wider range of financial products and services as well as a call center with expanded hours. In 2016, a new facility was built next door to the old site. This beautiful new full service branch includes an ATM and multi-lane drive-thru.
Flint Branch
In March of 2016, FM Financial Credit Union (originally established in 1934) merged with Team One, increasing Team One’s branches to 11. The branch is located at 606 Stevens Street across from the Flint Farmers Market and is one of the only full service financial institutions located in the downtown Flint area. Since the merger, Team One has invested over $1 Million in their facilities update and support of the community and plans on being a vital part of the continued resurgence of the downtown Flint and surrounding area.
Bonita Springs, Florida
In 2023, Team One opened a Sales Office serving Lee County and Collier County, Florida. for real-estate agents for mortgage origination.
Team One Credit Union has undergone several name changes since it opened its doors: In 1955, it became Saginaw Education Association Credit Union. On March 6, 1972, the Board of Directors approved the name change to Education Employees Credit Union. Finally, in 1993, the name was changed to Team One Credit Union, which was selected because it better described the growing field of Membership and Select Employee Groups.
In 2013, its field of membership was increased to include 63 Michigan counties including Bay, Huron, Saginaw, Tuscola, Sanilac, Shiawassee, Genesee, Lapeer, St. Clair, Mason, Lake, Osceola, Clare, Gladwin, Arenac, Oceana, Newaygo, Mecosta, Isabella, Midland, Muskegon, Montcalm, Gratiot, Ottawa, Kent, Ionia, Clinton, Emmet, Cheboygan, Presque Isle, Charlevoix, Leelanau, Antrim, Otsego, Montmorency, Alpena, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Crawford, Oscoda, Alcona, Manistee, Wexford, Missaukee, Roscommon, Ogemaw, Iosco, Keweenaw, Ontonagon, Houghton, Baraga, Gogebic, Iron, Marquette, Alger, Dickinson, Menominee, Delta, Schoolcraft, Luce, Chippewa and Mackinac.
After the Owosso Columbus Credit Union merger, Team One membership eligibility increased with the addition of Ingham and Livingston counties to 65 Michigan counties.
As of now, Team One Credit Union service is available to residents in ALL Michigan counties, and is proud to serve Michigan families and businesses with the financial services they need!