Our Credit Union has evolved from a cooperative offering only share accounts and loans to a full-service financial institution. As we move forward, we will always look back and be thankful to those who were essential contributors to our organization's success.
Our Credit Union's origin began when a group of Northern Pacific Railway employees joined together to form a financial cooperative. In March of 1954, the State Credit Union Board approved an application for a state charter. This application was submitted by Frank Schantz, Mike Knoll, M.A. Froelich, Theodore Ressler, M.J. Blandin, W.C. Block, A.F. Fitterer and Paul Hoffman. Together they formed our Credit Union and became the forefathers of the Credit Union we know today. Soo Line Employees Credit Union's charter began March of 1955.
In 1967, Jacob P. Brucker accepted the position of Assistant Treasurer and was quickly promoted to Treasurer. Under Jake's leadership the credit union grew from a few thousand dollars in assets to over twelve million dollars in assets by 1997.
On June 7, 1991 the Soo Lines Employees Credit Union charter was amended to include the members of Teamster Local 123 and their family members. On September 20, 1993, the charter was again amended, and the Soo Line Employees Credit Union merged with the AFL-CIO Credit Union.
On April 2, 2001, the Soo Line/AFL-CIO Credit Union merged into Mandan Railway Employees Credit Union and together we became Railway Credit Union.
On October 1, 2003, Bismarck Telco Federal Credit Union joined the Railway Credit Union team. Bismarck Telco FCU served Qwest, AT&T and all telecommunication industry employees. Together we became a stronger financial institution, serving a wider base of credit union members.
In 2003, RCU purchased the office building at 1006 East Main Street in Mandan. It currently serves our corporate headquarters and a full service financial facility.
In 2010, we purchased the office building at 112 South 24th Street in Bismarck and renovated it into a modern full service financial facility.
On October 1, 2013, Genie-Watt Credit Union joined the Railway Credit Union team. Genie-Watt Credit Union served MDU Resources Group, Inc. and its Subsidiaries, and Ottertail Power-Coyote Station, Montana-Dakota Utilities Co., Kinfe River Corporation and WBI Holdings. Together we became a stronger financial institution serving over 6,700 members.
Our field of membership was expanded in 2022 and 2023 to include members of the North Dakota Railroad Museum and Active Members and Veterans of our Military Service branches.
Although RCU does not desire to be the largest financial institution, we are driven to be the best financial by providing world class member service while meeting our corporate mission of Enriching Our Members' Lives.