Who We Are

Embers values everything the Upper Peninsula provides us. The glow of a comfortable fire brings us together to celebrate living in this fantastic place. This positive feeling is why our name is Embers.

Our Why

At Embers, we believe in Sparking Opportunities and Lighting UP our Communities. We do that by having an inspired team, always working to get our members to the next level, and being active in our communities.

Spark Opportunities.

We strive to spark opportunities for our Embers Members, Team Members, and communities - encompassing homeownership, career growth, capital improvement financing, and everything in between.

Light UP Communities.

Embers from a fire provide light to illuminate the world around you. We want to do the same in our communities by volunteering at local events and provide a radiant smile at each visit.

Embers at a Glance.

At a glance, you don't see the products we offer; you see the people that represent us.

Last year, they represented us well.

135

Team Members

850+

Years of Experience

80K+

In Donations

300+

Hours Volunteered

Our Journey.

Everyone has a past. This is ours.

Where it began.

In 1953 the young Rector of St. Peter Cathedral in Marquette, Michigan, Father Nolan McKevitt, introduced the virtues of credit unions to his parish. At that time, loan sharks and pawn shops were charging outrageous rates for people to borrow money, with some charging as much as 33%. People that could afford to save made very little return on their money. He wanted his congregation to encourage thrift and create a source of credit at legitimate rates of interest. He knew a credit union would give them the opportunity to improve their economic and social condition. Fortunately, some parishioners shared his vision and on September 2, 1953 the St. Peter Cathedral Credit Union was organized under the Michigan Credit Union Act, serving the parishioners of St. Peter Cathedral.

Within four months, there were 67 members, assets totaled $3,208 and 9 loans had been disbursed for a combined total of $1,300. Most business was conducted by loyal volunteers in the basement of the church, then the custodians house when it was empty, and then in a small office behind the Holy Family Home Orphanage.

Membership Expansions.

By 1960, St. Peter Cathedral Credit Union was doing so well that members of three other parishes in Marquette wanted to join. The field of membership was expanded and the name was changed to Marquette Catholic Credit Union, serving Catholic parishioners in the City of Marquette. In 1965 the office was relocated to 500 South Third Street and was operated by three paid staff serving 2,169 members and assets slightly over $1,100,000, and in 1976 the office was remodeled to accommodate the staff of 6 who served 3,749 members with assets of more than $4,700,000. In 1991 the office moved to its present location at 1001 W. Baraga Avenue with 17 staff serving 7,105 members with assets of over $38,000,000.

March 2002 saw the opening of a branch office at 1600 S. Front Street in South Marquette.

In 2006, the field of membership was expanded and the name was changed to U.P. Catholic Credit union, serving members of Catholic Parishes across the entire Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

UP Catholic to Embers.

In 2010, the field of membership was expanded to include anybody who lived, worked, or worshipped in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Catholic and non-Catholic. In January of 2012, a branch was opened in Negaunee to help service the needs of the Credit Union's expanding membership. It wasn't until late 2018, though, that the name was changed to Embers Credit Union to better reflect our broader field of membership.

Expansion to Alger County.

A group image of team members inside the Munising location

In June of 2019 we completed our merger with Upper Michigan Community Credit Union, which added a branch in Munising and one in Trenary along with 13 employees.

Expansion to Delta County.

Image of a group of Embers Team Members from the Delta Merger

In May of 2020 we completed our legal merger with Delta County Credit Union (DCCU), with the operational merger following in September. This added an Embers branch in Escanaba and in Wells Township, along with 45 employees. Embers and DCCU had a very similar culture, approach to service and product offerings and commitment to community, so this partnership made a lot of sense.

Where we are now.

In September 2020, we moved into our new corporate office building on McClellan Avenue in Marquette. Corporate and administrative employees and our Commercial Lending Department are located there. In early 2022, wanting to extend our services to more consumers, we expanded our charter to serve all that live, work, worship, or own real estate in the Upper Peninsula and the bordering Wisconsin counties of Iron, Vilas, Forest, Florence, and Marinette. As of December 31, 2023, we have $515,551,996 in assets and eight retail locations across three counties, 31,000 members, and over 130 team members.

Community Involvement

Not because we have to, because we want to.

Embers Training Day - On Columbus Day, the Embers Team Members spent their day together, learning, + growing as a team to better serve our community!

Northern Michigan University Homecoming Tailgate Party - The Embers Team Members had a blast handing out brats + cheer sticks at the Wildcats Homecoming Tailgate Party!

UP State Fair - The Embers Team Members brought the party to the UP State Fair with Giveaways + Music from the Strolling Piano!

Feeding America - In the United States, 1 in 8 people face hunger - That's why our Embers Team Members volunteer by handing out hundreds of food boxes, and connecting with people in our community!

Financial Reality Fair - Students got to experience real-world financial situations by receiving salaries based on their planned careers, with the help of our Embers Team Members.

Light UP Communities Day - We were hard at work painting the horse barns at the Marquette County Fair Grounds as a way to Light UP our Communities!

Board of Directors

Pictured Above (L-R): Mark Canale, Treasurer - William Ferns, Keith Lynch, Mike Angeli, Gail Anthony, Chair - Sandra Villa Mogush, Corrin Salminen*, Brian Kulbieda, Andrew Wasilewski*, Vice Chair - Scott Jamieson, Randy VanPortfliet, and Tom Vear.

*Indicates Emeritus Board Member