CSE Federal Credit Union proudly celebrates 75 years of service to Southwest Louisiana (SWLA). Over the past 75 years, many things have changed, but one thing that has remained is the consistency and value of our service to members and to our community.

On December 7, 1943, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, in accordance with the Federal Credit Union Act, granted our charter. The original field of membership included the employees of Cities Service Refining Corporation, the employees of CSE Federal Credit Union, members of their immediate families and organizations of such persons.

Just like most beginnings, ours was small. At the first official board meeting on January 6, 1944, a loan limit of $100 and a maximum share limit of $500 were established.  At the end of 1944, the young credit union had 201 members with share deposits of $1,854 and loans outstanding of $1,180.

The idea of a financial cooperative began to spread and soon the credit union was the place to save and to obtain a loan. Fast forward to 2017 – with three branch locations, assets over $300 million and over 30,000 members, the National Credit Union Administration granted CSE a new community charter. This confirmed a field of membership expansion allowing us to offer membership to any persons who live, work, worship, attend school, volunteer and/or does business in Calcasieu, Cameron and Jefferson Davis Parishes, Louisiana.

Exemplifying the “people helping people” philosophy, CSE continues to be involved in numerous community programs, sponsorships and charitable gifting programs, including, but not limited to, Music Makers 2 U, Ethel Precht HOPE Breast Cancer Foundation, Arts and Humanities Council of SWLA and the Children’s Miracle Network.

Thanks to 11 visionary subscribers who started the credit union in 1943, CSE can proudly celebrate our 75th anniversary as a viable, member-oriented credit union that is now the largest headquartered right here in Southwest Louisiana.

“As stated in our Mission Statement, our goal is ‘To experience the joy of helping members achieve their financial goals.’ I want to thank the CSE Board of Directors and all of the dedicated volunteers and employees who, through the years, have helped bring us to 75 years of service to our members. We couldn’t have done it without you,” said Ken Gardner, CSE Chairman of the Board.

As we celebrate the year of our diamond anniversary, CSE will continue to shine brightly as it has for the last 75 years.