2 credit unions – Cobblestone Country, Albion School Employees – announce merger

Photos by Ginny Kropf: A new digital sign in front of the Cobblestone Country Federal Credit Union at 299 West Ave., Albion, informs passersby of the services available.

ALBION – Two financial institutions in Orleans County have announced a merger to better serve the community.

The Albion School Employees Federal Credit Union’s merger with Cobblestone Country Federal Credit Union became effective Tuesday, according to CCFCU’s manager Christine Ranallo.

Christine Ranallo is manager of the Cobblestone Country Federal Credit Union.

She explained the reason for the merger was because the school’s credit union was very small, with 380 members and very limited services, while the CCFCU is much larger with 2,400 members and more services.

“We’re small, but we have most all the services the big banks have,” Ranallo said.

She said her credit union had discussed a merger with the credit union at school over the years, but the school employees weren’t ready at the time.

“Then about a year ago we approached them again and they thought it was a good idea,” Ranallo said.

The idea for a merger was first came up at the beginning of 2023 at CCFCU’s strategic planning session.

“The facilitator suggested a way to grow was to merge with another credit union, and the only logical choice was the Albion School Employees FCU,” Ranallo said.

The CCFCU exists because of a series of mergers throughout the years. Ranallo has compiled a timeline of events leading up to the current day.

The first to form was the Albion School Employees FCU on Jan. 1, 1963.

On May 10, 1965, the CCFCU had its beginning with the first meeting of the Lipton Federal Credit Union.

Then followed the Albion Correctional Facility Federal Credit Union on Oct. 17, 1974.

Next, the Orleans Municipal FCU was formed Sept. 11, 1979. A year later, on Oct. 14, 1980, the National Credit Union Association approved a name change to Central Orleans Federal Credit Union.

On Nov. 30, 1982, Albion Correctional Facility FCU merged with Central Orleans FCU.

The NCUA on Dec. 14, 1990 approved the merger of Orleans Municipal FCU with Central Orleans FCU.

The name was changed to Cobblestone Country Federal Credit Union in 2002 in anticipation of a change in the charter, Ranallo said.

In June 2005 a charter was applied for and received to change from a Central Orleans-focused FCU to one which included all of Orleans County, hence, the name Cobblestone Country FCU. Today, membership is open to anyone living, working, going to school or worshiping in Orleans County.

CCFCU operated next to COVA in the Arnold Gregory complex until June 2014, when it moved to 299 West Ave.

Like Ranallo, CCFCU employees are loyal and dedicated to serving their customers. Ranallo has been there for 25 years, having started as an accountant and moving up to manager in 2020. Audrey Christopher recently retired after 31 years, while Teresa Radka has been a loan officer for 30 years and three others have worked there five years each.

“When you come in here, you’re going to do business with the same person you did business with last month,” Ranallo said.

CCFCU offers savings and checking accounts, teen checking, Visa ATM cards, Share certificates and Christmas, Tax and Vacation Club accounts; a variety of loan products, including home equity loans; overdraft protection; direct deposit/payroll deduction; mobile deposit; 24/7 ATM; a drive-thru and much more.

There is access to a night deposit box and customers can buy stamps and money orders at the credit union.

CCFCU is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday and 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday. They are closed Wednesday.