We've helped make life happen for generations of Wisconsinites.
After nearly nine decades of growth and success, we continue to have a passion for helping people in our communities.
Most organizations and businesses have mottos or taglines they use to capture their culture and highlight their mission. Fox Communities Credit Union is no different.
Like almost everyone else, we've changed the wording now and again over the decades. But the meaning behind the motto has remained the same for the credit union since 1937 — helping members make life happen.
Then: A Storybook Beginning
The tale of Fox Communities Credit Union begins as if pulled from the pages of an inspiring children’s storybook. A group of workers at the Combined Locks Mill pooled their funds to form the Combined Locks Credit Union on October 15, 1937. Their goal: provide loans to their fellow workers in need and have ownership over where they kept their deposit accounts.
Their first loan showed exactly where their hearts were - they provided a fellow mill worker with funds to help buy Christmas presents for his family.
With people in need and the newly formed credit union ready to help, growth was all but assured. Within two years of forming, the credit union had 213 members. But that was only the beginning.
As word spread throughout the mill regarding the credit union's good work, more and more workers left their banks to become members. By 1974, the credit union reached $1 million in assets. In 1980, it opened its first standalone branch. With growth came the ability to help make life happen for even more people.
Next: A Guiding Hand
The year 1980 was an important one for another reason. The man who would lead the soon-to-be Fox Communities Credit Union to great success over the next 40 years - Greg Hilbert -- took the helm.
Hilbert, the president and CEO, spoke of how he liked the fact that credit unions are not-for-profit organizations focused on the good of their members.
“It was really inspiring to be hired by a volunteer board of directors whose sole purpose was to help people,” recalled Hilbert. “The independent ownership by members and the ability to make decisions with the member in mind was really motivating for our team and enabled us to make a difference for people, and it was fun!”
Not only did Hilbert help the credit union reach $3 million in assets, but he also oversaw the change to Fox Communities Credit Union — with the new name chosen by members through a contest in 1987.
It took almost no time at all to make “communities” the most important part of Fox Communities Credit Union, with assets reaching $23 million and a opening a second location in 1989.
The number of locations has since grown to over 20. And the financial industry beyond the state's borders took note of the long-term growth and success. In 2017, Fox was named the top-performing credit union in the nation by S&P Global Market Intelligence.
Now: New Tech, Traditional Values
After 40 years of success with Fox, Hilbert retired in 2020 and Chris Allen took the helm.
Allen has guided Fox’s transition to the future by creating more digital-banking opportunities for members, a major step forward in convenience. And the community support Fox has been known for since its humble beginnings in a mill is still going strong.
“Once people start to really truly understand what it means to bank at a credit union, that value proposition almost sells itself — because you are an owner,” Allen said. “If you do your banking with us and put $5 here, you are an owner. And we have no other reason for existence other than to provide our owners the best financial services we can.”
What we're all about
OUR FOX PURPOSE:
“We have a passion for helping people in our communities.”
OUR FOX MISSION:
“We partner with our members, communities, and Fox Family to build stronger financial futures.”
OUR FOX VISION:
“We will embrace our organizational evolution to create a lasting member experience that exceeds expectations by ensuring our team is exceptional, has the tools to succeed, and is shown the love, value, and respect they deserve.”
OUR FOX VALUES:
“Pay it forward. Be the reason. Own the request. Plan for fun. Seek to understand.”
Fox Communities Credit Union is a full-service, not-for-profit financial institution serving members throughout Eastern Wisconsin, including Appleton, Green Bay, Oshkosh, Manitowoc, and Milwaukee.
We have what you need.
Member-friendly rates, low fees, and financial solutions that support your unique lifestyle.