New Romeo Branch

People Driven Credit Union and our History at the New Romeo Branch

On October 24, 2018, People Driven Credit Union officially opened the doors to our new Romeo branch with a ribbon-cutting celebration right in the heart of downtown. The event gave our team a chance to sit down with Emily Roberts, Chief Operations Officer, and hear the story of how the credit union got its start in Romeo, a history that goes back further than most people realize.

The roots of what would become People Driven Credit Union trace back to 1958, when a group of Ford employees at the Michigan Proving Grounds formed their own financial cooperative. Like most credit unions of that era, it started small. For years, Emily’s grandfather managed the credit union out of his home, a detail that speaks volumes about how community-driven this institution has always been. Eventually, the operation moved to a dedicated location at the proving grounds to better serve the employees there. In 2001, the credit union expanded its reach and opened to the broader Romeo community, planting roots on Main Street that have only grown deeper since.

The new Romeo branch at 141 South Main Street represents the next chapter in that story. It has been a financial institution as long as Emily can remember growing up in Romeo, making it a fitting home for a credit union that has served this community for generations. Same town, same commitment, newer building.

If you have not stopped in yet, we would love to see you. The Romeo branch is located at 141 South Main Street, Romeo, MI 48065. Check our locations page for current hours, or schedule an appointment, and we will have someone ready for you when you arrive.

Transcript – Featuring:

• Dave Sullivan – PDCU VP of Marketing
• Emily Roberts – PDCU Chief Operations Officer

Dave:    Hello everybody, Dave Sullivan here, part of the marketing team at People Driven Credit Union (PDCU), with –

Emily:    Emily Roberts, Chief Operations officer of the credit union.

Dave:    Emily, we’re at our downtown Romeo Branch.  We’re going to have the ribbon cutting here, shortly.  But Emily, you have a long history with the credit union.  Can you tell us a little bit about the history of the credit union?

Emily:    Sure!  The [MPG] credit union started in 1958 by a group of Ford employees out at the Michigan proving grounds here in Romeo.  And in the early 80’s, my grandpa became manager of that credit union and ran the credit union out of his home.  After that we decided to actually open a branch [of the credit union] out at the proving grounds, to better serve the employees out there.  In 2001, we expanded and opened to the community here in town.  And we stayed there until this point, when we’re opening this new Romeo branch.

Dave:    Emily, you were born and raised in Romeo.

Emily:    Yes, I was.

Dave:    OK, so how long has this building been here and what was it prior to becoming the credit union?

Emily:    It’s been here as long as I’ve been around, growing up in the community.  And it’s always been a financial institution.

Dave:    Great!  Well, hopefully you can come down and visit us.  We’re at…

Emily:    Our new Romeo Branch is at 141 S Main St. Right here in downtown Romeo.

Dave:    Great Emily.  Thank you so much.

Emily:    Thank you.

New Romeo Branch Interview