Employees of EPB, formerly known as the Electric Power Board of Chattanooga, realized that a need existed to help co-workers financially. At the time, local banks and savings institutions were not interested in loaning small amounts of money or maintaining small deposit accounts. On the 16th day of April, 1954, an application for the organization and incorporation of a credit union was signed by Dennis D. Gazaway, H. H. Broyles, Henry Looney, L. B. Cranford, Jr., Sue M. Deck, William J. Fabiani, Hiram G. Tripp, Louis J. Miller, W. M. Buckner, Dorothy M. Haynes, Hassell D. Qualls, Fred S. Datres and Carroll Fox. Five days later, on April 21, 1954, the Department of Financial Institutions, State of Tennessee, granted charter number 60619.

On April 30, 1954, at a meeting in the Warner Park Field House attended by nearly 80% of the total employees at EPB, 431 signed up as charter members. General Superintendent S. R. Finley led the way with membership number “1.” Organizers contributed twenty-five cents each for the entrance fee and $5 each for a minimum of one share of ownership. Initial officers elected were: President Carroll Fox, Vice President John Mabry, Secretary Fred S. Datres, and Treasurer C. L. Carmack.

The Credit Union was first located in the Accounting Department in EPB’s downtown building. A few years later, the “office” was moved to EPB’s Distribution Building on Oak Street. And later, it moved to the Meter Building before relocating to the present site. In January 1987, a branch office was opened in EPB’s downtown building.

In 1978, the Credit Union purchased the Highland Park branch of First Tennessee Bank located at 1500 McCallie Avenue. The branch building was a former branch of Hamilton National Bank of Chattanooga. A likeness of Alexander Hamilton, first Secretary of the Treasury of the United States, is still on the front of the building. The site currently houses the Credit Union’s main office.

Before a major renovation in 1987 that includes the present look, members were able to view a large mural on the back office wall. Also, decorating one of the walls, was Don Grob’s very large Marlin, dubbed “Marlin Monroe” by Jo Maynor, whose desk was located just below the mounted fish.

And in January 1982, the lobby played host to a repossessed 1975 Volkswagen Rabbit which was on display until it was given away during the Annual Meeting later that month.

Although the Credit Union has been in existence for 50+ years, only five persons have served as managers. They are: Phyllis Datres Wilson, Dot McCarter, Dave Mulligan, Fred Newton, and Nadine Freeman. And over those years, many members have volunteered their time by serving on one of the Credit Union’s major committees: the Credit (Loan) Committee, the Supervisory (Audit) Committee and the Nominating Committee.

From its inception year to the present, the Credit Union has experienced strong and steady growth. From $59,000 in assets to today’s $22.4 million; from 484 members to today’s 2,333; from a bi-weekly EPB payroll deposit of $5,900 to today’s $312,000; from an unsecured maximum loan amount of $300 to today’s $12,500 – the list goes on!

Non-members, and the public in general, are not eligible to conduct business at EPB Employees Credit Union. All of the deposit and loan activity comes only from the 2,300-plus membership. Therefore, its future success will depend entirely on the level of direct participation by those current and future members. Use of Credit Union services is not only encouraged, it is essential.