Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
Utah Community Credit Union is celebrating the Grand Opening of the new UCCU Financial Center by inviting the public to an open house that features free ice cream from the BYU Creamery, food from Sodalicious, gifts and the opportunity to be among the very first to enjoy beautiful new views of Utah Valley.
If you’ve driven through the rapidly developing North Point of Lehi, either up or down the I-15, you’ve probably noticed the development of UCCU’s new seven-story building nestled in the heart of the “Silicon Slopes” (nicknamed for the explosive growth of tech companies and other large businesses, such as Adobe, Thanksgiving Point, Cabela’s, I.M. Flash and many others).
“The Lehi area is rapidly developing into an important hub for families, shopping, and many thriving businesses,” said Jeff Sermon, CEO of Utah Community Credit Union. “This building will help us effectively serve the growing population of UCCU members in this area and provide them with the financial services they need and expect.”
Today, the UCCU Financial Center officially opens to the public and UCCU is inviting everyone to join the fun with a Public Open House that celebrates 60 years of serving this community.
BYU beginnings
UCCU has been such an integral part of this community for so long that many people don’t realize that they grew from roots planted on BYU campus.
In 1956, seven BYU employees imagined a financial institution that would be owned by the very same people it served — the families and individuals of Utah Valley. Using $35 of their own money, these seven employees founded the BYU Federal Employees Credit Union right on BYU’s campus.
The first branch was merely a table on a stair landing in the Harold R. Clark on BYU campus, where the credit union’s founders took turns voluntarily helping people in need of financial services. They couldn’t afford to purchase a vault, so cash was kept in a locked room and placed in a cast iron bathtub, covered with a sheet of asbestos to protect it from fire.
And soon, word of this tiny credit union — a financial institution that valued people over profits — spread to families, friends and neighbors, to people who wanted to improve their lives and to people who caught the vision of working together for the betterment of everyone involved.
And as the people came, this tiny financial cooperative grew. First to the Larson House, complete with a modest sign that read “Credit Union,” posted out front.
Then, in 1977, the credit union opened its first official branch on Canyon Road in Provo, just north of the football stadium — complete with safety deposit boxes, a fire-proof vault and the convenience of drive-up lanes. And it officially changed its name to Universal Campus Credit Union… or UCCU for short.
Celebrating 60 years
Today, UCCU stands for Utah Community Credit Union, a financial institution that’s over $1 billion strong and serves over 125,000 members across Utah Valley and beyond.
“We’ve sure come a long way over the past 60 years,” said Jeff Sermon, President and CEO of Utah Community Credit Union. “And we know that our growth and strength is a direct result of our commitment to our ideals of people helping people.”
Earlier this year, LaVell Edwards (BYU Head Football Coach from 1972 – 2000) joined UCCU’s 60th celebration by hosting and narrating Built To Last, a special video that takes an inspiring look back at UCCU and this community over the past six decades.
“Coach Edwards is a treasure,” said Sermon. “We’re honored that he joined us to celebrate the important role this credit union plays in the lives of thousands of families and individuals.”
Join the celebration
All next week, UCCU will host a Public Open House that’s completely free to attend.
“We’d love to give everyone the opportunity to see this building for themselves,” said Sermon. “And we’ve got a lot of fun things planned for those who do.”
To celebrate its BYU beginnings, UCCU will be giving away vouchers for free half gallons of ice cream from the BYU Creamery. Along with the vouchers, those who attend will enjoy free food and drinks provided by Sodalicious (a local, community favorite business), along with other gifts and surprises.
“Because this is a new building, it offers views of this valley that have never before been seen,” Said Sermon. “Anyone who comes will be among the very first to experience a new, beautiful perspective of this community we love.”
The UCCU Financial Center Public Open House runs October 17th to 21st from 11 am-6 pm each day.
To watch Built To Last, the inspiring video narrated by Coach LaVell Edwards, click here.
