Historic Overview of Citizens Community Credit Union

Citizens Community Credit Union had its beginning on March 7, 1940, when James D. Gronna, North Dakota Secretary of State signed the Charter. The first organizational meeting was held March 16, 1940 with A. W. Broden as chairman. The office of the Lake Region Co-op Credit Union was located in the Farmers Union Oil building.

Beginning assets were $177.54 with 23 members.

In 1949, A. W. Broden became ill and Elmer Stenson took the position as manager.

Mary Broden became bookkeeper of the Lake Region Co-op Credit Union in 1952 
and in 1966 Mary was hired as manager 
after the resignation of Elmer Stenson. 
The credit union outgrew its location and rented space from Farmers Union Insurance on 3^rd Avenue.

By 1966, assets were $129,333.37 with 299 members.

Following a special meeting in 1972 a name change was made. The Lake Region Co-op Credit Union was now the Lake Region Credit Union.

During the Lake Region Credit Union’s history, a thief broke through the wall of the Odd Fellows Quarters into the Credit Union in 1973. Approximately $16.00 of petty cash was stolen and the thief was never apprehended.

By 1977, a new location at 104 3^rd Ave. W. was the new home of the Lake Region Credit Union. Parnell Thorson was hired as manager after the resignation of Mary Broden in 1978. Assets were $1,168,606.56 and membership was 547.The Devils Lake School Federal Credit Union merged with the Lake Region Credit Union in 1980.

When Darwin Brokke became the manager of the Lake Region Credit Union in 1983, assets were $3,180,967.80 with membership of 1,615. Four officers and staff were employed by the credit union at that time. By June of 1987, the Lakota Branch was opened. Assets had grown to $10,964,315 with membership climbing to 3,146 by the end of the year.

In 1989 the Lake Region Credit Union moved to its present location on Highway #2 East. In 1992 the Bisbee Credit Union merged with the Lake Region Credit Union and the Larimore Branch was opened. Northwood Branch was opened in 1995, and in 1998 Fort Totten Branch was opened. The credit union had grown to asset size of $48,485,379 by the end of 1998 and membership had doubled in size to 6767.

The year 2000 marked a very busy year for the Lake Region Credit Union, with completion of a remodeling project and the celebration of our 60^th Anniversary. At the end of 2000, assets had grown to $54,601,831 and membership was 6,988. During the 60 years of business, the Lake Region Credit Union has had only four managers.

In early 2001, Lake Region Credit Union changed its name to Citizens Community Credit Union. The Grand Forks office was  opened in early May. Citizens Community Credit Union continues to be a strong financial institution within the Lake Region and a “Pillar of Strength” in the community.