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People Driven Credit Union

About

The History of People Driven Credit Union

From a Detroit employee credit union to a statewide Michigan financial cooperative

People Driven Credit Union has served Michigan members since 1928. What began as a credit union for federal employees in Detroit grew through community expansion and partnerships with other Michigan credit unions. Today, PDCU is a member-owned financial cooperative serving people across the state.

Explore the milestones that shaped People Driven Credit Union and continue to guide how we serve our members.

A People Driven Story

Historic street scene about our people driven story with people walking1928: Detroit Federal Employees Credit Union is founded

People Driven Credit Union’s history began in 1928 with the founding of Detroit Federal Employees Credit Union. The credit union was created to serve federal employees in the Detroit area and their families.

1958: MPG Credit Union is established

Three decades later, in 1958, a group of Ford Proving Ground employees came together to form MPG Credit Union (MPGCU). Their goal was clear: to provide accessible financial services to fellow employees and their families.

2001: MPG expands into the community

By 2001, MPGCU took a major step forward by expanding to a community charter. The credit union opened a new branch in Romeo at 33 Mile and Van Dyke. Along with this growth, it rebranded as MPG Community Credit Union (MPGCCU), while continuing to operate its original Proving Grounds branch.

2003: DFECU broadens membership eligibility

In 2003, the Detroit Federal Employees Credit Union broadened its charter to include government and public school district employees across Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties—as well as their family members. This expansion marked an important milestone in the credit union’s mission to reach more members.

2005: Peoples Trust Credit Union is formed

Just two years later, Detroit Federal Employees Credit Union changed its name to Peoples Trust Credit Union (PTCU) and further expanded eligibility. Now, anyone who lived, worked, or worshiped in Wayne, Oakland, or Macomb counties could become a member.

2008: Community Driven Credit Union is formed

In 2008, Peoples Trust Credit Union merged with Automotive Federal Credit Union (AFCU). This merger prompted a new identity: Community Driven Credit Union (CDCU), symbolizing a deeper commitment to the communities it served.

2014: People Driven Credit Union gets its name

In 2014, MPG Community Credit Union merged with Community Driven Credit Union. We changed our name to People Driven Credit Union as part of this merger. At the same time, membership eligibility expanded again to include residents and workers in Genesee, Lapeer, Livingston, Macomb, Oakland, St. Clair, Washtenaw, and Wayne counties.

2018: PDCU moves into downtown Romeo

In an effort to better serve the local community, the Romeo branch moved from 33 Mile Rd to the heart of downtown Romeo in 2018. This relocation improved access and visibility for local members.

2023: Membership expands across Michigan

In 2023, Community Alliance Credit Union merged with People Driven Credit Union. The merger expanded PDCU membership eligibility statewide, allowing people who live, work, worship or attend school anywhere in Michigan to join.

What being people driven means today

PDCU is owned by its members rather than outside stockholders. Members elect the credit union’s volunteer board and have a voice in its direction. Our history of serving employee groups, local communities and credit union members across Michigan continues to shape how we provide financial services today.

Continue the People Driven story

PDCU membership is open to people who live, work, worship or attend school anywhere in Michigan. Join a member-owned credit union that has served Michigan communities since 1928.

Become a PDCU member

Frequently asked questions

People Driven Credit Union traces its history to 1928, when Detroit Federal Employees Credit Union was founded to serve federal employees in the Detroit area and their families.

The credit union that began PDCU’s history was originally called Detroit Federal Employees Credit Union. The People Driven Credit Union name was adopted in 2014 following the merger of MPG Community Credit Union and Community Driven Credit Union.

People Driven Credit Union adopted its current name in 2014 when MPG Community Credit Union merged with Community Driven Credit Union. The name reflects PDCU’s focus on serving its members and the Michigan communities they call home.

PDCU expanded membership eligibility statewide in 2023 following its merger with Community Alliance Credit Union. Today, people who live, work, worship or attend school anywhere in Michigan may be eligible to join.

People Driven Credit Union grew through the history and mergers of several Michigan credit unions. These include Detroit Federal Employees Credit Union, Automotive Federal Credit Union, Peoples Trust Credit Union, Community Driven Credit Union, MPG Credit Union, MPG Community Credit Union and Community Alliance Credit Union. These organizations helped shape the statewide credit union PDCU is today.

Yes. People Driven Credit Union is a member-owned financial cooperative. When you establish membership, you become an owner of the credit union and have the right to vote in credit union elections.

Membership is available to people who live, work, worship or attend school anywhere in Michigan, as well as relatives of current members. Additional groups may also qualify. Review the PDCU membership eligibility requirements for complete details.

No. The official name is People Driven Credit Union. “Peoples Community Credit Union” has never been PDCU’s legal name, but it may be confused with two former names from PDCU’s history: Peoples Trust Credit Union and Community Driven Credit Union. PDCU adopted its current name in 2014.

Learn more about People Driven Credit Union

Learn more about People Driven Credit Union

Disclosures

Your savings are federally insured to at least $250,000 and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government by the NCUA, a government agency.

*This site may be utilized for authorized purposes only. Unauthorized access or use is not permitted and constitutes a crime punishable by law. Activity on this site is monitored for security purposes.

For more information, read the People Driven Credit Union’s privacy policy.

Membership Requirement

All accounts and loans require membership at People Driven Credit Union. Membership is available to individuals who live, work, worship, or attend school in the State of Michigan, as well as relatives of current members. To complete an application for any account or loan, you will need the following information:
  • A valid Driver's License, State ID, or Passport with your current address
  • Your Social Security Number
A Membership Share Savings Account is required to establish membership at People Driven Credit Union. A $5 deposit secures your ownership share in the credit union and unlocks access to our full suite of products and services. This account earns 0.01% APY with a $5 minimum deposit.