Peach State Federal Credit Union is expanding. The Lawrenceville-based credit union is merging with operations in Pickens and Abbeville, South Carolina.
Members of Pickens Federal and Abbeville Community Community Federal Credit Union agreed to the mergers in meetings held at their main branches on November 29.
The financial mergers have been approved by the National Credit Union Administration and take effect on December 1, 2022, Peach State officials say.
“Our Board and staff are elated about the endless possibilities created for our members through this union with Peach State,” says Pickens Federal President and CEO Clayton Kerr. “We will continue to focus on serving the members in our community with the highest level of care, but now with even more products and support.”
Pickens Federal Credit Union was founded in 1961 as the Diehl-Poinsett Federal Credit Union and provided services to all Singer Company employees. In 2001, the credit union was approved for a community charter, expanding its field of membership to include service to anyone who lives, works, worships, or attends school in Pickens County, South Carolina. They also welcomed the teachers and employees of the School District of Pickens County into their field of membership in 2011, which ties in with Peach State’s start as an education-based credit union.
“We are excited to join forces with a like-minded credit union, one whose Board and management share a similar vision and has ties to the local education system. It is our hope that combining our resources will enhance the financial well-being of both the community and lives of those in Pickens County,” says Peach State President and CEO Marshall Boutwell.
Boutwell calls the merger with Abbeville a “great example of a cooperative unity” saying it demonstrates a strong commitment to the credit union philosophy of ‘people helping people.’
Abbeville was founded in 1971 to serve the needs of local railroad employees and their immediate families in Abbeville, Greenwood, Anderson, and McCormick counties. In January 2004, Abbeville was granted a community charter, and in July 2011, it became federally chartered. Their field of membership includes service to anyone who lives, works, worships or attends school in Abbeville County, SC, as well as any businesses.
“There is no better time than the present to bring about positive changes for our members,” says Abbeville Community FCU Manager Trish Fuller. “Our focus remains on our members and understanding their needs. We’re excited about this merger as it will create more opportunities to expand services and deepen relationships for the communities we serve.”
Peach State is an $820 million credit union that serves more than 75,000 members in Georgia and South Carolina. The credit union has branches across Northeast Georgia in Athens, Carnesville, Cornelia, Jefferson, Watkinsville, Winder, and Young Harris.
Operating as a not-for-profit financial cooperative, Peach State’s mission is to provide quality financial services that meet the needs and exceed the expectations of its member-owners.
