About

What’s a credit union?

A “credit union” is an independent, cooperative, tax-exempt financial organization of people united by a “common bond” who save money together and make low-cost loans to each other. The common bond shared by all American 1 Federal Credit Union members is their association with our founding organization, Jackson Co-op Services.

Our founders chartered the American 1 Federal Credit Union as an associational credit union, meaning anyone who belongs to Jackson Co-Op is eligible to join our Credit Union. Jackson Co-op Services continues to offer our members additional services and benefits.

Our staff is dedicated to providing outstanding personal service for our members. We strive to greet our members by name and offer a friendly inviting atmosphere.

Our history

American 1 began as the Jackson Co-Op Federal Credit Union, a service provided to members of the Jackson Co-Op, and was founded in 1950. The Jackson Co-Op Credit Union was originally located at the local United Rubber Workers Hall 185 on a part-time basis, featuring 47 members, three full-time employees, and $580,000 in assets in its first year.

Later, the credit union purchased a small house on Chapin Street in 1951 and a vacant church on Pearl Street in 1962. Needing more office space to accommodate its growing membership, the Jackson Co-Op Credit Union bought the McCourtie dealership on Michigan Ave. in Jackson and established our current Home Office location. By 1964, Jackson Co-Op Credit Union had acquired over 5,000 members – and even sold “Co-Op appliances” until 1974. The credit union soon established branches in Battle Creek and Hillsdale, and in areas outside of Jackson.

In 1987, Jackson Cooperative Credit Union officially changed its name to American 1 Federal Credit Union. Today American 1 provides low-cost financial services to more than 40,000 members and several hundred partner companies.

Our leadership

American 1 Board of Directors
Allen Eichenberg – Chairman
Chester Radabaugh – Vice Chairman
Jerry Tremaine – Secretary
Phil Hoffman – Treasurer
Jerry Sisk – Director
Margaret Teske – Director
Bishop Ira Combs – Director

Supervisory Committee
Chester Radabaugh – Chairman
Tim Griffith – Member
Randy Wrozek – Member

President/CEO
Dave Puckett