In November 1939, a group of teachers in the Topeka School District organized and chartered the Topeka Teachers Credit Union. It is one of the oldest credit unions in Kansas. The credit union started with 39 members, and total assets of $144. The only services available were savings accounts and small loans.

For many years, the credit union operated out of the typing room of Topeka High School, where business was conducted after school was dismissed. As time went on and the credit union grew in membership and assets, more services were added, hours were extended, and eventually the credit union obtained its own office space.

Some of the milestones in the growth and development of the Credit Union:

• In 1972, the Credit Union reached $1,000,000 in assets
• In 1978, with 2,055 members, we reached $2,000,000 in assets
• In 1981, the Credit Union was housed in a portable classroom by the Van Buren School.
• In 1983, the credit union moved to a new facility at 29th and Kentucky.
• In 1984, after reaching $6,000,000 in assets, the name of the credit union was changed from “Topeka Teachers” to “Educational Employees” Credit Union, to reflect the fact that the credit union now served more than just teachers (it served all school employees) and that its field of membership had expanded outside Topeka to include the 7 adjacent counties.
• The credit union outgrew the building at 29th and Kentucky within a couple of years. In June 1987, we opened our doors at 2808 SW Arrowhead. With this move, the credit union was finally able to truly become a “full service” financial institution. At this time, assets had exceeded $12,000,000.
• In 1987, the charter was amended to allow all “patrons of education” in Kansas to be eligible for membership.
• In 1989, with approximately 4,500 members and $15,000,000 in assets, we celebrated 50 years of service.
• In 1991, the credit union reached $20,000,000 in assets.
• In September 1994, the name of the credit union was changed again, from “Educational Employees” to “Educational” Credit Union, to better reflect who we were.
• Also in 1994, ECU and 3 other Topeka area credit unions joined forces and opened the first “Shared Branch” in Kansas. This facility, located near 37th and Topeka, serves members of all 4 credit unions with extended hours and a convenient location.
• In 1997, ECU broke ground for a 1.2 million dollar expansion/renovation project at 2808 SW Arrowhead. The new construction more than doubled the existing space for serving members.
• In early 1999, the second “Shared Branch” location was opened at 1080 Wanamaker providing a 3rd location for ECU members to transact business.
• In October 2000, our first full service branch opened in the Hunter’s Ridge Shopping Center. This 4th ECU location provides service for current and future ECU members at NW 46th and Highway 75.
• May 1, 2003 Assets totaled $70,000.000.00
• In May of 2003 our 5th location opened at 29th and Croco Road. This full service shared facility provides service to members of ECU and Credit Unions United.
• January 2008 ECU reached $100,000,000.00 in Assets.
• June 2008, ECU opened its 6th Location (4th Full Service) at 901 SW Topeka Blvd.  ECU now has Downtown Topeka covered.

Since the “old days” when only savings accounts and loans were available, the credit union has continually worked to increase and improve the services we offer. Now, as a full service financial institution, we still offer savings accounts and loans. But we also offer checking accounts, VISA Credit and Debit cards, ATM machines, Certificates of Deposit, IRA accounts, Real Estate Loans, Student Loans, and much, much more.

Through the years, though, two things have not changed - we are still dedicated to serving our members’ needs, and we still have our old school bell. This bell, which was once in a one-room schoolhouse, was purchased many years ago by a credit union board member, and has made every move with the credit union. It now sits proudly in front of our main office.