People helping people, since 1954.
What started with 55 employees and a shared idea is now a credit union serving seven Texas counties. This is how we got here.
A great beginning.
In 1953, W.H. Gaston, Director of the Texas Prison System, proposed a credit union to help solve salary-warrant problems among employees. He wrote to O.B. Ellis, General Manager of the Texas Prison System, and the Texas Prison Board later gave its permission.
On April 6, 1954, the Texas Prison Employees Credit Union was chartered. Fifty-five employees pooled $10,115 in shares to get it started. Membership was limited to prison system employees, and the idea at the heart of it was the same one we follow today: people helping people.
Our timeline.
From a small employee credit union to a community credit union.
The idea
W.H. Gaston, Director of the Texas Prison System, proposed a credit union in a letter to O.B. Ellis, General Manager of the Texas Prison System. The Texas Prison Board later granted permission.
We’re chartered
The Texas Prison Employees Credit Union was chartered. Fifty-five employees pooled $10,115 in shares. Membership was limited to prison system employees.
A new name
The credit union was renamed the Department of Corrections Employees Credit Union, known as DOCECU.
A new building
The credit union moved into a new building on the edge of town, which is still our main office. It added drive-thru service and a night depository.
Opened to the community
The credit union converted from an employee-based field of membership to a community charter. In October, Walker County was added and it became Community Service Credit Union.
Banking any time
Audio Response Units gave members 24/7 access to their accounts. Credit cards, mortgage loans, certificates of deposit and money market accounts joined the lineup.
Banking goes online
Internet banking and bill pay launched.
A second branch
We opened a second branch on the south side of Huntsville, near Sam Houston State University. It was in a rented space.
A home of our own
The south Huntsville branch moved to our Montgomery Road location, a building the credit union owns. We celebrated with a ribbon cutting alongside the Huntsville-Walker County Chamber of Commerce.
More ways to bank
Over the years we have added Zelle®, mobile deposit, ATM deposit and ATM Plaza, so you can bank where and when it suits you.
A fresh look, and Spend Smart
A redesigned website makes it easier to find what you need, and Spend Smart checking rewards members for the way they already spend. It’s the same credit union, with more ways to help.
The story isn’t finished
We’ll keep listening to our members and keep finding better ways to help our community Bank Happy, Spend Smart and Live Well.
Then and now.
Our main office on FM 2821, from the early days to today.
Same idea. A bigger neighborhood.
Today, anyone who lives, works, worships or attends school in one of these counties, or is related to someone who does, can join CSCU.
- Walker
- Trinity
- Madison
- Grimes
- Houston
- San Jacinto
- Montgomery
Keep exploring.
Be part of our next chapter.
Open a savings account with $5 and become a CSCU member.
Membership eligibility applies. Links to third-party sites are provided as a convenience. CSCU does not manage their content, and their privacy and security policies differ from ours. Zelle® and the Zelle® related marks are wholly owned by Early Warning Services, LLC and are used herein under license. Products and features may vary.
Federally insured by NCUA. Deposits are insured up to $1,000,000: up to $250,000 by the NCUA and up to $750,000 by Excess Share Insurance Corporation (ESI). Equal Housing Opportunity.