UT Federal Credit Union was established and chartered on May 15th, 1969 by a small group of University of Tennessee employees looking for a safe place to manage funds for its owners. The “people helping people” philosophy was the foundation of the newly formed cooperative.

There have been many changes at the credit union since its founding half a century ago. UTFCU’s field of membership has expanded from University of Tennessee employees to a community charter (anyone may join), members have increased from 300 to nearly 25,000, assets from $2 million to nearly $350 million, and staff has grown from two part-time employees to 80 full-time team members.

While products, services, locations, and technology also continue to expand, the credit union has strived to stay true to its roots: a cooperative of people helping people.