Want to join a credit union?

There is now one that most people reading this can join.

If you live in Wilson County, work in Wilson County, or go to church or school in Wilson County, you are qualified to be a member of the Wilson Community Credit Union.

The credit union first opened here in 1975 when a group of Firestone employees started it in a room at the plant. It eventually moved into a brick building across the street, said Dawn Worrell, director of the credit union.

For more than 30 years it was called the Firestone Credit Union and served the plants' employees. It was only in 2000 that the credit union received its community charter and could start taking on more members. In the last six months, it changed names to reflect the larger membership pool.

Last year at the Wilson Chamber Expo, Worrell said it was apparent most citizens didn't know they could join the credit union. Most people she talked to at the credit union's booth had the same comment: "I thought you had to work at Firestone."

For the last 10 or so years, the credit union has operated out of a modular unit on Madison Drive near World Gym. The credit union is now is a newly constructed brick building and has sold that modular unit, which will be relocated to Rocky Mount. The lot will become more parking for the new brick building.

On June 3, the credit union will hold a grand opening celebration "to signal a new start for this 32 year-old financial institution," said Anthony Scott, marketing officer at Self-Help Credit Union.

"The construction of the new Wilson Community Credit Union branch on Madison Drive signals a long-term commitment to the community on the part of Wilson CCU and Self-Help Credit Union," Scott said.

Wilson Community Credit Union has 4,200 members. Assets have grown to $15 million from $7 million in 2004 when merging with Self-Help. The credit union employs seven full-time employees.

The credit union offers savings, checking, money market accounts, certificates of deposit, individual retirement accounts, home loans, home equity loans and lines of credit, small business loans, auto and other vehicle loans, personal loans, credit cards, and financial counseling.

Two months ago, the credit union began offering mortgage loans as well.

Wilson Community Credit Union is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is closed on weekends and most holidays. For more information, call 291-9977.

keeter@wilsontimes.com | 265-7817