Gale Credit Union History

credit union History

Gale Credit Union was chartered in 1947 to serve employees of Gale Products, a division of Outboard
Marine Corporation. Gale produced outboard boat motors in the beginning and later moved to building John Deere push lawnmowers.  The credit union served only Gale (OMC) employees and employee families until 1983.

In 1983, Gale Credit Union merged with the Knox County and the City of Galesburg Credit Union, retaining the Gale Credit Union name. A year later in 1984, the credit union moved from an office inside of the Gale Products plant to 631 North Henderson St, Galesburg. Three more Credit Unions then joined Gale Credit Union including KMD Credit Union, Beatrice Credit Union, and Galesburg Register Mail Credit Union.

In October 1998 the credit union built a new building at the current 631 North Henderson location. In January 2005, Galesburg Postal Credit Union merged into Gale Credit Union. The credit union stayed level for a number of years serving the membership base of over 45 Member Business groups.

In 2018, due to an increasing demand from others to join the Gale Credit Union family, membership opened to anyone who lives or works in Knox, Warren, Henderson, Mercer, Henry, or Stark counties, IL.  Over the next few years, Gale Credit Union saw tremendous growth as they began adding additional products to become a full service credit union.

Taking another merger step, Gale Credit Union merged Kemba Peoria Credit Union and the former Tazewell Government Employees Credit Union into Gale on May 1, 2023. Kemba Peoria operates in Peoria under that name as a Division of Gale Credit Union. In Pekin, Gale Credit Union purchased a new office building and expanded operations to be open five full days a week.  Pekin operates under the name of Tazewell Area Credit Union, a division of Gale Credit Union. Gale Credit Union remains as the corporate office.

During this recent few years, Gale Credit union has nearly tripled in asset size since 2016 and continues to operate as one of the strongest small credit unions in the area.  Gale continued to add more products and services and now serves consumers and businesses in all aspects of the financial service industry.

In addition to offering the full menu of financial products and services, Gale Credit Union takes great pride in providing Amazing Member Service, a signature style of service not found in most organizations. We stay focused and true to our Mission: To enhance the financial well-being of our Membership by providing amazing service, value, and products to every Member!

Gale Credit Union continues to focus on strategies to promote future growth in a safe and sound manner for our Members.