RALEIGH, N.C. – State Employees CU is coming home, at least temporarily, to where it started 71-years-ago in the basement of the North Carolina Agriculture Building, with 17 members and $437.
SECU has relocated one of its local branches to the original site of what has become a $17 billion credit union with 223 branches. The move is only temporary while construction of a modern facility in the state offices here; giving loyal members an opportunity to reflect on the humble beginnings of what is now America’s second largest credit union.
Ninety-five-year old Mary Lassiter, a member since the 1930's reflected on the early years, when most of the state’s banks had been closed after the Great Depression and the financial cooperative was created as an alternative. "SECU began in a tiny room in the Agriculture Buildings and my first deposit was around 50 cents," said the long-time member. "It is amazing to see the power of a cooperative and how our credit union has flourished throughout the years, but always remained true to its roots."
