Limestone FCU, Manistique MI, announces agreement with Lake Superior State University to open a branch location on the Sault Ste Marie, MI Campus. A member-owned cooperative, Limestone FCU was organized in 1955 to serve employees of Inland Lime & Stone in Schoolcraft County, the credit union expanded multiple times to add additional employer groups, and eventually all of Schoolcraft County. Future expansions in 2011 and again in 2022 when they were granted approval to serve all 15 counties in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
Limestone FCU has been widely recognized for executing innovative service models to provide educational value to their membership. The most notable project, The Grind Coffee House, a nonprofit student operated small business, operated between 2017-2022, providing students with invaluable educational opportunities. After four years of operation the venture outgrew the business model and was sold to a local entrepreneur with the capacity to expand products and services, this project continues to operate today as a thriving coffee shop. Entrepreneurial activities, coupled with classroom education, financial reality fairs, and cybersecurity awareness training has long been the foundation of LFCU’s education program. This branch will provide LFCU a platform to transition to undergraduate students, a demographic that is widely underserved with regard to financial services and general financial education. This branch will also support a broader range of talent recruitment and retention for the credit union and the movement as a whole, through the consistent training and development of interns. Student interns will be offered positions at the on-campus branch and as appropriate at the main branch, as well as opportunities with partner organizations.
In addition to student activities, Limestone FCU has taken the lead in providing education to its member owners in financial exploitation and security awareness. Limestone FCU offers cybersecurity training free of charge on their website, hosts in person security awareness and scam sessions, as well as hosted multiple BYOD (bring your own device) days in their lobby, facilitated through a partnership with cybersecurity experts, SineTech, LLC. These events will be offered to all members, with in person sessions planned on campus and during special events such as move in day for students.
“Limestone FCU is eager to expand our education program to students and faculty of Lake Superior State University. This brings us one step closer to realizing our vision of empowering all residents of the Upper Peninsula to achieve financial independence through service, education, and advocacy. We look forward to proving our model at the university level, providing valuable financial services and education while offering opportunities aimed at inspiring the entrepreneurial spirit of students and residents of Chippewa County.” Jennifer C. Watson, CEO.
Headquartered in Manistique, MI, Limestone FCU is well positioned to serve the entire UP, offering a state-of-the-art mobile app, online account opening, remote deposit capture, person to person and account to account transfers, online messaging, texting, e-Statements, debit and credit cards with a competitive rewards program, instant issue debit cards, debit card round-up, and a full suite of lending products to serve members and small business owners. “We are excited to have the opportunity to expand our model to provide quality banking services paired with impactful social and economic benefits to the communities we serve.” Jennifer C. Watson, CEO
