Our History

In early 1958, a small group of teachers, under the leadership of Jack Dutton, met one evening at Midview High School in Grafton, Ohio to discuss the possibility of forming a credit union. Not all were enthusiastic. One, John Bartter, was rather hesitant to this new concept. Little did he know then that this meeting would lead to a 39-year career.

The organization, first known as the Midview Credit Union, received its charter, No. 841, on February 21, 1958. At an organizational meeting on March 6, 1958, each of those in attendance was asked to contribute enough money to pay the fee for the charter. Mr. Bartter just happened to have the total amount ($20) with him. His colleagues remarked jokingly anyone who had that much money the day before payday should be elected treasurer.

Thus, Bartter became the first treasurer; he later became a director, then president and chief executive officer. Other officers elected that evening were Jack Dutton, president, Stanley Dawley, vice president, Martha Rae Pace, secretary, and Dorothy Sprague, Isom Elrod, and Richard Haskings as board members. Other initial committee members included Ernest Enola and Henry Smith.

Foreseeing a need for a credit union to serve the county, the committee applied to expand, after only seven months. On September 26, 1958 the credit union received approval to open its membership to other Lorain County schools. The name was then changed to School Employees Lorain County Credit Union, Inc. (SELCCU).