SAGINAW, Mich. Paula Miller, who got her start in the credit union movement rolling coins for her father in her family’s basement where the credit union then was located, is retiring after 27 years as CEO of $27-million First Area CU.
Originally called Holy Spirit Parish CU, Miller helped her father since the second grade. She would help him stack and roll coins.
She said she remembers a childhood where she and her family would eat pickles with the state examiners in their basement or have people visit and apply for loans while they ate dinner.
Then in 2001, the credit union became community-based. First Area was the first credit union in the area and remains to be the only one in Hemlock, where its second branch is located.
Lynn McCoy, a First Area CU employee for more than 10 years, will succeed Miller as CEO.
