HarborLight Credit Union, a West Michigan Credit Union, is proud to serve persons who live, work, worship or attend school in West Michigan. Choosing HarborLight Credit Union means choosing a partner who will provide you with the tools and information needed for success! Our West Michigan Credit Union is committed to our community by supporting local charities and organizations, as well as our financial education efforts in area schools.
HarborLight Credit Union’s Mission Statement
HarborLight Credit Union exists to improve the financial well-being of our members.
Find Out Why It Pays To Be A Member Of HCU
Serving Our Members & Our Community for Over 60 Years
In 1954, a small group of people at Precision Casting Company got together and formed Precision Employee’s Credit Union to provide loans and other basic financial services to employees. In those early days, all records were kept by hand and the credit union was run out of a box on a table at the company. Business boomed, and they soon had to move to a larger space at 816 S. Mears Ave.
The credit union operated from the Mears Ave. location for 45 years and saw many changes during that time period. Our name changed in 1966 to Misco Employees Credit Union and in 1973 to Howmet Employees Credit Union as the company changed names. In the mid-70s, mid-80s, and again in 1990, building additions were completed to meet the growing needs of our membership. The credit union also merged in the members of Hooker Credit Union and Whitehall Leather Credit Union as those companies closed and their employees needed a place to bank. In the mid-90s, the credit union dropped “Employees” from its name and expanded its field of membership to also serve employees of other companies in the community.
By 1999, it was evident that the current building could no longer meet the needs of the membership and the credit union moved to our current location at the corner of White Lake Drive and Cogswell Drive. With a new building and a full suite of financial services, it was time to offer those services to everyone in our community. With membership open to everyone in a four county area, it was also time to change our name to better reflect the community we serve. So, in 2008, our members chose the name HarborLight Credit Union.
The latest evolvement in our story came in 2017 when we opened a second branch on Whitehall-Holton Rd. in Whitehall. This convient location has proved very helpful for our members and our community.
Today, HarborLight Credit Union offers our services to all of the following:
- Persons who live, work, worship or attend school in Muskegon, Oceana or Newaygo Counties, Michigan or the townships of Chester, Spring Lake, Crockery, Polkton, Wright, Grand Haven, Robinson, Allendale or Tallmadge in Ottawa County, Michigan.
- Persons within the immediate family of a member (immediate family member means relatives of the member, by blood or marriage; or any individual living under the same roof and in the same household as the member).
- Organizations, incorporated or otherwise, composed for the most part of the same general group making up the membership outlined above.
- Any person over the age of 55 who receives a retirement annuity, pension, social security or similar retirement payment from private or government sources, and lives in, or belongs to a retirement organization located in the county, or in a county contiguous to the county where the credit union’s main office or a branch is located.
When you choose HarborLight Credit Union, you are choosing a partner who believes in providing you with the tools and information you need to succeed. We are committed to our community through our financial education efforts in the schools and our support of local charities and organizations. Our staff volunteers hundreds of hours every year to support local causes!
Our lighthouse logo is a fitting symbol of what we stand for — a safe place to meet all your financial needs. HarborLight Credit Union exists to improve the financial well-being of our members. We strive to be your trusted advisor, to help you with the tough decisions and ensure your financial success!
1954
In 1954, a small group of people at Precision Casting Company got together and formed Precision Employee's Credit Union to provide loans and other basic financial services to employees. In those early days, all records were kept by hand and the credit union was run out of a box on a table at the company. Business boomed, and they soon had to move to a larger space at 816 S. Mears Ave.
When the credit union began, it was a simple box with files
Breaking ground for our S. Mears Ave. location.
How we used to determine loan parameters.
Ruler from our Mears Ave location.
We started as Precision Employees Credit Union in 1954
Move into our S. Mears Ave. location and would stay there for another 45 years.
1963
Annual Meeting
1964
Annual Meeting
1966
The credit union operated from the Mears Ave. location for 45 years and saw many changes during that period. Our name changed in 1966 to Misco Employees Credit Union and in 1973 to Howment Employees Credit Union as the company changed names.
We changed our name to MISCO Employees Credit Union.
1971
Board Members
1972
Annual Meeting
1973
This is the year that we changed our name to Howmet Employees Credit Union to coincide with the company's name change.
Annual Meeting
1974
Annual Meeting
Marilyn Gramza, a long-time staple of our CU, was appointed our General Manager.
Board Members
1976
Annual Meeting
1979
Howmet Employees Credit Union turns 25!
1980
Annual Meeting
1981
Annual Meeting
1985
Guestbook from Howmet Employees Credit Union.
1986
Open House at our Mears Ave. location showing our renovations.
1990
We merged our members with Hooker Credit Union and Whitehall Leather Credit Union as those organizations closed, and their employees needed a place to go.
Hooker Credit Union Annual Meeting in 1974
1995
We are now known as Howmet Credit Union - open to anyone in Dalton, Fruitland, White River, Whitehall, Blue Lake and Montague.
Marilyn Gramza, on the left retired in January of this year after working for the CU for 32 years. On the right is Linda Wood who took over as the Manager & CEO.
1998
Annual Meeting
Groundbreaking ceremony to build on Cogswell Dr.
1999
Cogswell location is underway!
Celebrating our first Christmas at the Cogswell Dr. location!
Howmet Credit Union on Cogswell Dr. is open and ready for business!
2004
We decided to expand our service to anyone who works, lives, or worships within our community.
We decided to expand our service to anyone who works, lives, or worships within our community.
Celebrating our Golden Anniversary - 50 years of serving our community!
2008
Our members chose our new name, HarborLight Credit Union, to better reflect the communities we serve.
2011
Christmas Parade
2013
Participated & promoted Cruisin'
2017
Our second location in the White Lake community is open!
2018
CEO Linda Hughey retires, and Justin Bamford is hired as HCU's new CEO
2021
Held our first What a Catch Ice Fishing Tournament
