Chattanooga's biggest credit union is expanding in Georgia.
Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union (TVFCU) has gained regulatory approval to expand its field of membership from 13 to 17 counties in the Chattanooga region. TVFCU is now able to serve anyone who lives, works, worships, volunteers or attends school in Chattooga, Gordon, Murray and Whitfield counties.
The move is the first expansion of the credit union's geographic footprint since it became a community chartered credit union in 2004. TVFCU began in 1936 to initially serve employees of the Tennessee Valley Authority and has made numerous acquisitions of other credit unions throughout its history.
"We are both humbled and delighted as we extend TVFCU's services to new communities across North Georgia," Todd Fortner, president and CEO of TVFCU, said in an announcement of the expansion in Northwest Georgia. "As always, we remain dedicated to supporting our members' financial health and enhancing their lives through outstanding products and services, friendly and efficient service and an active presence within local organizations and community events."
TVFCU is already the 5th largest credit union in Tennessee with assets totaling $2.32 billion and providing banking services to more than 167,000 members as of June 2022.
The National Credit Union Association (NCUA) approved TVFCU's application to expand its service territory, allowing anyone in the four additional counties to open checking accounts, savings accounts, personal loans, mortgages, business loans and a wide variety of other vital financial products and services.
TVFCU does not immediately plan to open any branch offices in the four Northwest Georgia counties, but it will provide a variety of online services plus three North Georgia branches in Ringgold and Fort Oglethorpe.
"While no specific timeline or locations have been determined for branch construction, TVFCU is committed to fully serving the people in Chattooga, Gordon, Murray and Whitfield counties and will be researching potential branch locations in the near future," TVFCU spokesman Jake Cash said in an emailed statement Tuesday.
At tvfcu.com, persons can learn more about the credit union, open new accounts and access the tvfcuLIVE Stream app or desktop function which offers direct access to a TVFCU personal consultant through video chat. Additionally, members and non-members may call the tvfcuLIVE Line at 423-634-3600 for any questions about the credit union.
"Our team is eager to meet new people, visit new places and continually build relationships in Whitfield, Murray, Gordon and Chattooga counties," Fortner said. "As a not-for-profit financial cooperative, our continuous goals are to boost the financial health and success of our members, provide outstanding member service and become a community-wide asset everywhere we operate."
Contact Dave Flessner at dflessner@timesfreepress.com or at 423-757-6340. Follow on Twitter at @dflessner1.