1. Give us a brief history of your company.
Meritus Credit Union (formerly Lafayette Schools Credit Union) is a full-service financial institution with more than $200 million in assets and 22,000 members in five Acadiana parishes. Since 1954, we have been dedicated to providing the best value in banking, providing personal service and smart financial solutions. Initially serving employees of the Lafayette Parish School System and their immediate families with share accounts and small loans, more financial products were added over time to meet members’ growing needs. In 2000, the credit union began serving employees of the Acadia Parish School System, City of Crowley and the Council on Aging, along with their families. Iberia Parish School System employees and their families joined the field of membership in 2007.
In 2014, we amended our charter to offer our services to anyone who lives, works, worships or attends school in Acadia, Iberia, Lafayette, St. Martin and Vermilion parishes. Earlier this year, 2018, we changed our name to Meritus Credit Union as the first step in a series of strategic decisions designed to ensure continued great service and long-term growth.
2. What would you tell the rest of Acadiana makes you special?
We have proudly served local educators and their families since 1954, and we continue that legacy of service today. Our commitment to our roots is unwavering. We would not be here today without the vision and support of our legacy education community that founded our credit union. Our goal is to reach out to our community to help enrich and impact the lives of our members to improve their financial well-being. We now have new leaves, the potential for growth, but we’re grounded by the same roots.
3. What are you most proud of?
Our team does an outstanding job serving members. Our members tell us how much they appreciate the personal attention they receive from our staff. We’re dedicated to continuing that level of service while embracing the opportunity to provide the services that fit every stage of their lives.
4. 1A is “Focused on Forward” – meaning we are taking an active role of improving the community we live in. Our members are Focused on Forward, too! – What does Focused on Forward mean to you? How is your company Focused on Forward?
Meritus Credit Union is Focused on Forward through our focus on meeting the growing financial needs of our members. We’ve asked our members directly what’s important to them for their financial futures and we continue to move forward with strategic plans to meet those needs. As our industry and technology have evolved, we’ve implemented the tools and products that enable our members to enjoy a secure financial future. Our focus will always be on serving the growing needs of our members.