MANISTIQUE — Limestone Federal Credit Union announces recent approval by the NCUA to expand its field of membership to serve the entire Upper Peninsula. A member-owned cooperative, Limestone FCU was organized in 1955 to serve employees of Inland Lime & Stone. While serving those employees, adding additional employer groups, and eventually all of Schoolcraft County, they expanded in 2011 to include Schoolcraft, Delta, Mackinac, Alger, and Luce counties. On September 29, the board of directors adopted a resolution to serve all 15 counties in the Upper Peninsula.

Limestone FCU is widely recognized across the state and U.P. for executing innovative service models to provide education to their membership. The most notable project, The Grind Coffee House, a nonprofit student operated small business, operated between 2017-2022. This project provided students with invaluable educational opportunities. The venture was sold to a local entrepreneur in 2022 and continues to serve the community as a thriving coffee shop. This coupled with youth financial reality fairs, classroom educational materials, and support of youth activities have provided a solid foundation for students to expand their skills with regard to financial literacy.

In addition to youth activities, Limestone FCU has taken the lead in providing education to its membership on 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 local cybersecurity experts, SineTech, LLC. These events are designed to provide members with access to industry experts and state of the art software to facilitate the safe utilization of their devices while protecting them from scams and financial exploitation. In addition to these activities, their social media pages host a series of “Tech Tips with Jen”, the Information Services Coordinator at Limestone FCU, designed to keep security awareness top of mind.

In addition to education, Limestone FCU provides members with a mini recycling facility, facilitated through a partnership with Swanson Storage and Services, LLC. A secure shred bin in the vestibule provides members a method properly disposes of documents at their convenience.

The Limestone team is active in many community organizations and non-profits, donating their time for the benefit of others within the community. As a small team of 20, they are proud of their collective accomplishments and report that 70% of their staff are Credit Union Compliance Experts (CUCE), a designation offered through Credit Union National Association, which requires participants to take a series of exams to gain the valuable certification.

“Limestone FCU is deeply rooted in Schoolcraft County, serving area residents and businesses since 1955, committed to building a better financial tomorrow through service, education, and advocacy. This expansion allows us to increase our reach to potential members across the Upper Peninsula. In today’s banking environment there are many choices; our team works tirelessly to implement the latest technology, education, and first-class service to our membership. I am proud of the work we’ve done to set us apart and bring real value to our membership,” said Jennifer C. Watson, CEO.

Headquartered in Manistique, Limestone FCU is well positioned to serve the entire U.P., 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,” said Watson.