About Abri CU

History of Abri

Abri CU Board of Directors

History of Abri Credit Union

In 1949 Argonne National Laboratory studied the feasibility of organizing a credit union for its employees. This study triggered an enthusiastic response from both Lab management and employees. Within a short time an interim Board of Directors was chosen. This Board applied to the State of Illinois for a Charter of Incorporation and on October 21, 1949 Argonne Credit Union was born.

Argonne Credit Union (ACU) began accepting applications for membership in January 1950. The value of each share was $5.00. The interim Board called the first meeting of the members on February 20, 1950 to elect an official slate of candidates. On that date ACU had 226 members with an additional 100 applications for membership and assets of $6,700.

By law Abri Credit Union is a not-for-profit cooperative. Policy matters - then and now - are set by an unpaid board elected annually from the membership at large. Its initial membership was limited to employees of Argonne National Laboratory and Atomic Energy Commission, a predecessor today's Department of Energy. As time passed the credit union's field of membership was expanded to include the employees of other National Laboratories; as well as other smaller groups engaged in energy research and development.

The credit union grew rapidly. After two years it had 1300 members and assets of $250,000. The $1 million in assets mark was achieved in 1955 followed by the $10 million mark in 1976, and $50 million in 1985. In 2007 ACU brought on the members of DesPlaines Valley Credit Union, adding almost 1,500 members. In 2010 Argonne Credit Union merged with Prairie Trail Credit Union, which nearly doubled the membership. At that time, the name of the credit union was changed to Abri Credit Union.

Today Abri Credit Union is one of the largest credit unions in the state of Illinois, with over $388 million in assets, serving more than 25,000 members from 7 branches. We are open to people that live or work in 6 different counties in Illinois as well as serving employees of over one hundred employer groups.

At Abri we put members first and continue to maintain our financial strength. It is our goal to give members the best “experience” they can have at a financial institution, and we truly believe in our mission: “Help our Members Succeed Financially”. This simple statement continues to be the driving force behind what we do each and everyday as we serve the members/owners of Abri Credit Union.