encurage FCU Welcome

Important Information Regarding the Merger!

We’re thrilled to share that as of June 1, 2024, the merger between encurage financial network credit union (EFNCU) and GLCU is now official. This exciting partnership brings expanded products and tools, increased convenience, and a stronger impact on our community. Our primary focus is ensuring that as members, you all have everything you need for a successful financial journey.

Here’s what you can look forward to as a valued GLCU member:

Expanded Products and Services: Access a wider array of financial products, services, and helpful financial tools and resources tailored to your needs.
Increased Convenience: Enjoy GLCU’s larger branch network, advanced digital banking technology, and enhanced online tools for seamless account management wherever you are.
Stronger Community Impact: Benefit from expanded financial education programs, personalized counseling services, and robust support for local initiatives through the GLCU Foundation for Financial Empowerment.

GLCU put together a merger guide that includes key dates and details about products and services. Click below to read.

Schedule of Events

Action Items for Online Banking

Prior to November 30, please verify that your phone number and email address are accurate in EFNCU online banking.

Starting December 2, you can re-enroll in online banking here. You will need to use the Social Security Number registered with your EFNCU account, as well as your account number and email address.
- Please note, you will need to know your EFNCU account number to re-enroll in online banking.
You can also enroll through the GLCU Mobile Banking app, which can be downloaded through the Apple App Store or Google Play.
Verify bill pay payees transitioned to your new GLCU account.

Action Items for Visa® Debit Card Holders

You will soon receive a new GLCU Visa® debit card in the mail. Your existing EFNCU debit card will work as normal through December 1. On December 2, you will be able to activate your new GLCU Visa® debit card and use it.

Payment Information for Loans

Automatic payments previously established through EFNCU will be transferred to GLCU.

If you choose to send us a check or use a bill pay service, please be sure to update your records with your new Loan ID number that will be available beginning on December 2, 2024.

Payments can be made in-person at any one of our branches, on our website through eZPay by registering and logging in to digital banking, or by phone by calling (800) 982-7850.

A message from Steve Bugg, President & CEO of GLCU

Hello to our new former Encurage Financial Network Credit Union members! I'm Steve Bugg, the President and CEO of Great Lakes Credit Union. I’m absolutely delighted to extend a warm welcome to you all as we celebrate this important merger milestone together. As you may know, June 1, 2024, is the first day that both EFNCU and GLCU will operate as one credit union—it’s our “Legal Day 1.”

I wanted to take a moment to share a little bit about GLCU’s history, who we are, and why we are so excited to merge with EFNCU, as well as share some of the benefits you can take advantage of today.

This merger is a celebration of shared values and visions. Both EFNCU and GLCU have always prioritized member focus, leadership, and community involvement. Together, as one combined credit union, we're poised to amplify our impact, offering even more to you and the communities we call home.

At GLCU, we're committed to serving our members and communities with dedication and heart. Our legacy, since 1938, has been built by not just meeting, but exceeding the needs of our members through education, volunteerism, and community partnerships. We call this philosophy “banking for a greater good.”

For our new former EFNCU members, this means exciting new opportunities—more branches, more services, and more ways to make an even bigger impact in your community. Your trust and engagement are the engine of our continued success, and as a member-owned institution, your feedback is warmly welcomed. Throughout the process, GLCU will ask you to participate in membership surveys to help us better understand and deliver the products and services that you find valuable.

One immediate benefit that we are excited to share is that, effective June 1, 2024, all former EFNCU members can now utilize GLCU’s CO-OP Shared Branching Network, which includes over 30,000 community financial centers and ATMs nationwide. I encourage you to visit our Locator on glcu.org to find a convenient location near you today!

As we move forward, we're committed to keeping you informed every step of the way. For now, there are no changes to your routing or account numbers, debit card numbers, or digital banking information. You can continue to conduct your financial business as you always have, with the added benefit of GLCU’s expanded branch network and products. As we move towards bringing the EFNCU and GLCU banking systems together, which we expect to happen later this year, we will keep you updated and informed on any changes or benefits you should know about.

I'm excited about what we can achieve together and offer you my warmest welcome to the GLCU family. Together, we're stronger, and together, we'll continue to make a meaningful difference in the lives of our members and in our communities, today and tomorrow.

FAQs

Both credit unions sought a partner that shares our passion, dedication, and loyalty to our teams, members, and communities. We found that in each other! By merging, GLCU and ENFCU can expand our reach to more individuals and families in need of financial services and education.
Together, we’ll increase our community investment, building on the 4,000+ volunteer hours and $30 million in community assets already saved, and enhance our resources to develop innovative programs that support financial well-being throughout our communities.
This merger will offer members:
- More Access: Expanded branch locations and enhanced digital services.
- Expanded Products/Services: A wider range of financial products and services to meet your needs.
- Greater Responsiveness: Enhanced ability to adapt to evolving financial needs.
- Improved Technology: Continued investment in the best digital banking solutions.
- More Branches: A combined network of 19 branches across the Chicagoland area.
- Familiar Faces: The same knowledgeable and friendly staff you know and trust.
Yes! You’ll gain immediate access to:
- Money Mammals®
- Credit Builder Loans
- Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)
- Business Banking Solutions
- Financial Counseling
Even more products and services will become available later this year.
As a larger credit union, we’ll have more resources for continued growth and innovation. This translates to even more benefits for members, such as expanded product and service offerings, new technologies, and enhanced services. We’re committed to preserving the unique identities of EFNCU’s partner credit unions through advisory councils to ensure we remain close to all members and communities.
We’re working hard to make this a seamless transition. As the merger progresses, we’ll coordinate the consolidation of our systems and minimize any downtime for members. We are committed to keeping you informed every step of the way.
For now, you’ll continue using the same website (firstfcu.org), online banking, and mobile app as always. We’ll give you plenty of notice before any changes happen later this year.
The conversion will take place during the weekend of November 30.
EFNCU online and mobile banking will be disabled at 1:00PM CST on Saturday, November 30, 2024.
Bill pay payees will be transferred to GLCU’s online bill pay system. In addition to transferring your payees, bill payments scheduled to be delivered on or after December 2, 2024 will be carried over and continue to process as scheduled. While we don’t anticipate errors during the transition we do recommend that you register for GLCU digital and verify your payment activity.
Beginning at 7am CST on Monday December 2, you can enroll and begin utilizing GLCU digital services to access and manage your accounts. In order to register successfully, you will need your 5 or 6-digit EFNCU member number, the email address on file, and your social security number.
Payments scheduled to be sent between November 28, 2024 and December 1, 2024 will be processed on Monday, December 2, 2024.
If you are currently enrolled in online or mobile banking, you can find your member number on your monthly account statement or you can contact EFNCU and we’d be happy to assist.
Access to EFNCU online and mobile banking will be disabled beginning at 1 pm CST on Saturday, November 30.
You can update your contact information through the EFNCU online or mobile banking. If you are experiencing difficulties accessing your account online, please contact us and we’d be happy to assist.
Mobile deposit through the EFNCU mobile app will be disabled at the end the business day on Friday November 29, 2024.
This merger allows us to implement best practices for greater positive impact on our members, employees, and communities. We’ll expand our branch network across the Chicago area, increasing our responsiveness to members’ financial needs. Additionally, this partnership will allow us to expand EFNCU’s community programs through the GLCU Foundation for Financial Empowerment. Together, we’ll serve over 94,000 members and hold approximately $1.5 billion in assets, creating a stronger combined organization.
Fixed-rate loans and deposit products will remain the same. For variable-rate accounts, we are committed to offering competitive rates.
GLCU has lower or no fees on many services, so you’ll likely save money. We’ll provide a full fee overview closer to the system integration.

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