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M a i n e — A P h oto P o rt r A i t o f t h e P i n e t r ee S tAt e P r o f i l e s i n e x c e l l e n c e 128 M aine State Credit Union was organized in October 1935 by state employees for the purpose of providing small loans to fellow state workers in times of emer- gency. According to the original by-laws, "The purpose of this credit union is to promote thrift among its mem- bers, by affording them the opportunity for accumu- lating their savings, and to create for them a source of credit for loans for provident and productive purpos- es." This original purpose has never been altered. When the credit union began, it took only twenty- five cents to join and a fully paid share was five dollars. Membership was limited to employees located in the State House building and their immediate families. In 1944, the enactment of the Credit Union Law made it possible for the credit union to convert from a federal to a state credit union. With this change in the charter, the credit union became known as Maine State Employees' Credit Union, and at that time, the charter was broadened to include all state employees as potential members. In 2004, the Credit Union was granted a communi- ty charter for Kennebec County, making anyone who lives, works, worships, or attends school in Kennebec County eligible for membership. At the beginning of 2005, Maine State Employees' Credit Union changed its name to Maine State Credit Union. In 2006, Greater Waterville Area Federal Credit Union merged with Maine State Credit Union to be- come the Greater Waterville Area Branch of Maine State Credit Union, which also expanded its member- ship to include Somerset County. From its humble beginnings beneath a stairwell in the state house building 77 years ago, Maine State Credit Union has since become the largest credit union in Maine with seventy-one employees, $340 million in assets, over 25,000 members, and three branches: two in Augusta and one in Waterville. An account at Maine State Credit Union is much more than just a number and a place to put a paycheck. An account at the credit union means being a part owner of the credit union. Unlike a bank, there are no highly paid stockholders at the top of the food chain. Any profit made above the credit union's expenses goes back to the member. The credit union's board of directors is formed by volunteers that are elected di- rectly from its membership. Becoming a member of Maine State Credit Union is easy. The following people are eligible to join Maine State Credit Union: anyone who lives, works, worships, or attends school in Kennebec County or Somerset County; Maine state employees; employees of the Maine State Employees' Association; Cumberland County em- ployees; Maine Housing Authority Employees; members of the Maine Association of Retirees; employees of the Maine Technical College System; Maine State Retire- ment System employees; retirees of any of the preceding groups listed here; and any individual who is receiving a Maine State retirement pension, and their immediate family or household members. "Our technology has changed, our size has changed, but our values haven't," says Normand Dubreuil, CCUE, CCE; president and CEO. The main branch of Maine State Credit Union was built in 2000 and occupied in 2001. Prior to 2001, teller services, loan services and the administration offices were housed in different buildings. Combining departments into one location improved efficiency and service. Maine State Credit Union P h o t o B y M a i n e s t a t e c r e D i t u n i o n

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