People.
Passion.
Purpose.

How we started

Mr. R.C. Roebuck, President of the Houston Principals Association, distributed a report to his membership of a committee, which had been appointed by his predecessor, Mr. Jake R. Waters, to study and report on a new idea called a "Credit Union". The report indicated a great deal of evidence that an organization like the credit union was greatly needed and recommended strongly that one be organized among the Houston School personnel.

Houston Public School Teachers Credit Union

Ten eligible people proceeded to take the action, which marked the beginning of the "Houston Public School Teachers Credit Union". These ten people paid their share of five dollars each, and voted to proceed to apply for a Charter. The Charter was approved November 19, 1934.

Early Beginnings

The first office for the Credit Union was provided in room #117 at Sam Houston High School.

The joining of the Credit Union’s 10,000th member was celebrated.

The Conroe branch is opened.

The Credit Union changed its name to "Houston Area Teachers Credit Union".

MasterCard and Visa products were offered to membership.

FLASHLINE, the automated 24- hour touch-tone service was offered.

The Credit Union changed its name to "First Educators Credit Union".

A remote drive-in facility, located on South Wayside Drive was opened.

The Telephone Service Center was opened, to provide member service by phone.

First Educators Credit Union reached 100 million in assets and 42,000 members.

A full-service office was opened in North Houston at FM 1960. First Educators Credit Union participated in the opening of a shared branch facility in Southwest Houston. Houston Community College (HCC) faculty and students were added to the field of membership.

The second shared branch opens in the Northwest area of Houston.

The Kingwood office opens. First Advantage Financial Services, a wholly-owned subsidiary of FECU, formed as a Credit Union Service Organization (CUSO).

The third shared branch opens in Southeast Houston. First Educators Credit Union opens the Woodlands office.

Merger with Houston Area Central Credit Union. North Loop Office was opened. Expansion of Wayside Drive-in into a full-service facility. Renovation of Newcastle Lobby to better serve members.

Virtual Branch, PC account access via the Internet, is offered to members. FECU reaches $200 million in assets.

New menu-based FlashLine system activated in both English and Spanish. Kingwood Office relocates to 1120 Kingwood Drive with a two-lane Drive-In and Drive-up ATM.

The Credit Union changed its name to Smart Financial Credit Union. Field of Membership changed to community status and includes Harris and Montgomery Counties. First Advantage Financial Services changes its name to Smart Financial Resources. Conroe Office relocates to 3201 West Davis.

Smart Financial Credit Union reaches $300 million in assets.

Business Services first offered. Gulfton Outlet begins serving members at 5608 Gulfton.

North Loop Office relocated to 1900 North Loop West with two-lane drive-thru and drive-up ATM. SFCU completes merger with Key Federal Credit Union, increasing total assets to $392 million, branches/outlets to 17, and number of members to over 80,000.

CEO Gary Tuma retires after long successful tenure of unprecedented growth and Larry Seidl is named CEO.

Smart Financial becomes the naming rights sponsor of a new concert venue Smart Financial Centre in Sugar Land, Texas.

New Woodlands Branch Opens.

New Pearland Branch Opens.

CEO Larry Seidl retires.

LeAnn Kaczynski named CEO.

Smart Financial Credit Union and TDECU merged.