History

Our Journey

In 1963, a group of WKU faculty and staff decided to help other people at Western Kentucky University by loaning them money. The group determined a credit union was the best way to serve others. Western Kentucky State Credit Union was Incorporated and approved by the Department of Banking in January 1963.

A merger with United Teachers Federal Credit Union in 1984 included employees of all educational institutions within the counties of Allen, Barren, Butler, Cumberland, Edmonson, Logan, Metcalfe, Monroe, Muhlenburg, Simson, Todd, and Warren counties.

On February 28, 1992, approval was given by the Department of Financial Institutions to change the name from Western Kentucky State Credit Union to Service One Credit Union. Along with WKU employees, students and alumni, and Select Employee Groups, the change helped the credit union serve the Barren River Development District (BRADD) as a field of membership.

November 2002, Service One merged with Bowling Green Federal Employees Federal Credit Union and added federal employees to Service One’s field of membership in counties we currently serve (BRADD), plus Trigg and Christian counties.

January 2012, individual membership eligibility was approved based upon the common bond of a person’s daily activities and interactions within a community shall be open to individuals who live, work, or worship within counties defined as the Barren River Area Development District as established by KRS147A.05.

In 2009, Service One utilized green building practices as prescribed by the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification program.

A few of the most innovative features of the Campbell Lane Branch include a living “Green Roof System” for added roof insulation, a Bioretention Basin which controls stormwater runoff, reclaimed wood timbers from a historic mill which eliminated the need for a sprinkler system, and the first commercially-installed Nanogel-insulated windows.

Service One was the first financial institution to utilize cash-recycling machines in 2009 which streamlined service and eliminated the need for cash drawers for its member service personnel.

In 2020, we added enhancements that will offer you the best in banking technology. Here are a few examples of the enhancement:

• Improved design for a simplified and more personalized online banking experience
• Enhanced security for credit and debit cards with real-time alerts for peace of mind
• Combined financial data from any institution to a single “financial dashboard” in your online “Home Branch”
• Improved mobile deposit functionality, with automatic electronic endorsements

We are always evaluating ways to improve our credit union for our members.

What it means to be “Not-for-Profit”

Service One is committed to enabling our members to reach their financial goals.

As a credit union, we do not have shareholders, issue stock, or pay earnings dividends to outside stockholders. Instead, every member owns an equal stake in the institution, regardless of how much money they have on deposit. One of the ways a member can use this ownership is to vote for our Board of Directors. Our local Board of Directors, elected by the membership at the Annual Shareholders’ Meeting, serve as unpaid volunteers and determine the credit union’s direction.

Any profits Service One earns are returned to the membership in the form of better rates on loans and savings, lower fees, dividends, and improved services. Also, we are less likely to charge service fees than for-profit banks, and when we do charge, fees tend to be lower.

In 1963, a group of local people at Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY decided to help other people by starting a credit union and loaning them money at a lower rate than banks. Their philosophy of "People Helping People" created a solid foundation for a great credit union. Our Board of Directors and Supervisory Committee are all volunteers.

As a not-for-profit financial institution owned by our members, we give back to our members/owners with lower interest rates, great products, and higher dividends. Our associates volunteer for several events to benefit our community. We help support our community by sponsoring events for other organizations and by offering high school seniors and returning WKU students scholarships. 

Applying is easy. Become a Member today.

1963

• Western Kentucky State College Credit Union, Inc. chartered with $580.00.
• Product offerings included share accounts and loans.

1969 – 1975

• Minutes show name as Western Kentucky University Credit Union, Inc.
• Credit Union moved from Grise Hall to Faculty House. First phone line installed.
• Certificates and revolving lines of credit offered.
• Joined the Kentucky Credit Union League.

December 31, 1975
Assets: $214,067.91

1976 – 1980

• Valerie C. Brown hired in 1978 as Manager. Leah J. Eckley hired as a part-time bookkeeper in 1979.
• The product line expanded to include Holiday Club Accounts, Travelers’ Cheques, Money Orders, and Share Drafts.

December 31, 1980
Assets: $707,388.20

1981 – 1985

• Added IRA Accounts, ATM cards, Home Equity Loans, credit cards, E.A.S.Y. Accounts, and Young Savers Accounts.
• Moved from WKU Faculty House to Garrett Conference Center. Opened a branch on Scottsville Road.

December 31, 1985
Assets: $9,895,125.34

1986 – 1990

• Built branch on Campbell Lane, 1987.
• Established a branch location in Glasgow, 1989.
• Offered Top-of-the-Class Club for members age 50 and over.

December 31, 1990
Assets: $27,711,077.21

1991 – 1995

• Introduced Home Improvement Loan Program, Phone-A-Loan, Visa® Gold Program, One Call Audio Response, and Risk-Priced Lending.
• Changed name to Service One Credit Union in February 1992.

December 31, 1995
Assets: $41,657,594.38

1996 – 2003

• Established “One-Stop” Auto Indirect Lending Program.
• Launched website. Joined Alliance One ATM Network
• Opened the fourth branch on the ByPass in 1999.
• Established a WKU scholarship endowment for members in 2001.

December 31, 2003
Assets: $73,709,830

2004 – 2010

• Opened new Campus Branch on College Heights in 2005.
• Implemented the Overdraft Privilege Program.
• Added Bill Pay and electronic statement delivery.
• Completed the Campbell Lane “Green Addition” in 2009.

December 31, 2010
Assets: $98,851,818

2011 – 2012

• Introduced Shared Branching in 2012.
• Launched Mobile Banking

December 31, 2012
Assets: $116,632,846

2013

• Celebrated 50th Anniversary in 2013.
• Garth Griese appointed President/CEO.
• Introduced SOCU Tracker money management tool.
• Launched My Deposit Mobile, enabling checks to be deposited through Service One’s mobile app.

December 31, 2013
Assets: $121,179,323

2014 – 2017

• Launched a new brand, with an updated logo and a fresh look at Service One products and services.
• Introduced e-Signature services for loans.
• Enhanced online Bill Pay through Online Branch, allowing free Account to Account electronic transfers along with other convenient transfer services.
• Increased scholarships offered to WKU students, by awarding $2,000 in scholarships to high school seniors enrolled in WKU.
• Added K-12 Teacher Supply Grants, in order to help teachers purchase classroom items.
• Expanded scholarship offerings to include WKU Study Abroad opportunities.
• Introduced Business Loan and Student Loan offerings.

December 31, 2017
Assets: $158,104,150

2018

• Rebecca Stone appointed President/CEO.
• 55th Anniversary of the Credit Union
• Received “Best of Bowling Green” designation for the best credit union, the best place for a mortgage/loan, and the best place to work

December 31, 2018
Assets: $161,057,408

2019

• 56th Anniversary of the Credit Union
• Released New Website
• Received “Best of Bowling Green” designation for the best credit union, the best place for a mortgage/loan, and the best place to work.

December 31, 2019
Assets: $175,968,526

2020

• Enhanced Core System-March
• COVID closed our lobbies but members were served through the Drive-Thrus and online.

December 31, 2020
Assets: $195,135,988

2021

December 31, 2021
Assets: $216,101,319

2022

August 1, 2022
Added branches in Hopkinsville and Scottsville, KY.

December 5, 2022
Added branch in Russellville, KY.

December 31, 2022
Assets: $282,394,544