KEY DATES & FACTS IN TFCU HISTORY
March 20, 1946
Named Employees Association for the National Defense, Unit #26 Credit Union, the not-for-profit credit union became incorporated with a state charter to serve the civilian workforce at the air base – thanks to the efforts of seven founding members. With a volunteer staff located at Tinker Field (now Tinker Air Force Base) and $75,000, the credit union opened its first branch and offered three services: shared accounts (savings), fixed-rate loans and notary services.
1950s
Now with a name of Tinker Field Employee’s Credit Union, the 1950s were a time of significant growth. By the end of 1959, there were 20,978 members with $11.9 million in assets. In 1958, military personnel were officially accepted into the field of membership.
1960s
The 1960s brought expansion in both services and facilities, including opening a branch at Vance AFB. Membership rose to 38,577, while assets tripled to $40.9 million. In 1967, the credit union changed its name to Tinker Credit Union (TCU) and began using an online computer system.
1970s
Deregulation allowed a great expansion of services such as real estate loans, share draft (checking accounts) and commercial loans. The credit union also began offering payroll deduction, net pay (direct deposit), money orders and safe deposit boxes. Five mergers and the acquisition of Select Employee Groups (SEGs) – also known as member companies – helped strengthen and diversify the membership base. The credit union grew dramatically during the 1970s – membership rose to 75,089 and assets increased 441% to $161.1 million at the close of 1979.
1980s
During the 1980s, more credit union mergers and more branch building in South Oklahoma City, Norman and Edmond allowed for expansion of membership. However, in 1986 and 1987, an economic downturn caused property values to fall. The credit union suffered significant losses on many real estate and commercial loans. The credit union got back on track in 1988.
1990s
The credit union changed its name to Tinker Federal Credit Union (TFCU). In 1996, Mike Kloiber became president/CEO (hired in 1988). The Shawnee branch was opened and the TFCU Mobile Service Center became the first of its kind in Oklahoma.
2000s
This decade marked significant branch expansion with new locations opened in Moore, Tulsa, Ada, Stillwater, Yukon, Bethany and beyond. TFCU developed the Financial Education Program and began offering Real Solutions® products (Payday Lending Alternative, PAL, Second Chance Checking, Reconnect Checking). In 2009, the credit union reached $2 billion in assets.
2010s
Once again, on-going branch expansion helped to conveniently serve even more TFCU members throughout the Oklahoma City metro area and into Ada. A focus on offering young people greater financial empowerment and access with branches in schools allowed for Crooked Oak, John Marshall High School and Metro Tech locations to be opened.
2020s
March 2020, an official word-wide Covid-19 pandemic was declared. TFCU made adjustments to daily operations and offered special hardship options to members in response. In the fall of 2020, TFCU acquired Prime Bank of Edmond, to create Tinker Federal Credit Union Prime Business Solutions, which will serve as TFCU’s business solutions department. A state-of-the-art branch in Choctaw was also opened.
March 20, 2021 marked TFCU’s 75th birthday with more than 430,000 members worldwide, $5.5 billion in assets and 32 branch locations across the state.
