Interra Credit Union, founded in 1932, is a wonderful result of a difficult time in our history. During the Great Depression, life was hard and better days seemed hopelessly distant. Banks were closed, money was scarce, and those who could borrow money paid outrageous interest rates. In January 1932, the township Farm Bureau members and Farm Bureau Co-Op employees met at a local Goshen business. Together with Edward Filene, father of American credit unions, they discussed the formation of their own credit union. Seven charter members each pledged five dollars to establish the credit union, but not every member could pay the whole sum at once; some had to pay the balance in installments. Despite this shortage of funds, they were determined to create a financial cooperative that could provide resources to help one another. So, on February 23, 1932, the founders applied for their charter under the name Elkhart County Cooperative Farm Bureau Credit Union with a balance of only $19.50. After decades of growth and strong community involvement, members of the credit union approved a name change to reflect our growing and diverse membership. In 2008, we became Interra Credit Union; “Interra” meaning “Indiana land.” Since its inception, the credit union has grown to serve more members and more communities, spanning across north central Indiana. Though times change, our values have not. The commitment to serve remains the focus of our culture and actions.
As members of a financial cooperative, Interra Credit Union members have a direct voice in the democratic control process by electing the board of directors and the supervisory committee. Using the ‘one member, one vote’ principle, each member1 has the same voice in elections, one vote, regardless of the amount of money deposited into or borrowed from the credit union. The elected members are committed to upholding the credit union’s principles and acting in the best interests of Interra members. After all, they are members that live and work in the communities served by the credit union, ensuring the ability to offer a truly local perspective and control.
