Mazuma Credit Union was founded by Wyla and Joe Pinkerton as the Kansas City National Federation of Federal Employees Credit Union in November of 1948 with an initial deposit of just $5.00. The Pinkertons were a middle-class Kansas City couple who decided to start a local, grassroots, cooperative financial institution, guided by the principle of “people helping people,” that would provide Members a secure place to store and invest their money.
From these humble beginnings, the Credit Union gradually expanded its products and services to provide for the financial needs of our Kansas City community. We built momentum together with our Members, each person’s contribution creating more opportunity for everyone. Improvements in technology allowed us to serve more people more effectively, and we grew steadily and intentionally over time.
Our name was shortened to Federal Employees Credit Union (FECU) in 1969 and remained the same for the next three decades. In 1998, new federal legislation allowed us to welcome Members who live or work in the communities we serve. That same year, our Members voted to change our name to Mazuma, the Yiddish word for money.
As Membership eligibility expanded, the Credit Union opened more branches across the Kansas City metropolitan area. We embraced emerging technologies to better serve our Members, updated our branding, and dedicated ourselves to Making Kansas City a Better Place to Live, Work, and Bank.
Today, we serve our Members and community with the same dedication to “people helping people” that we were founded to uphold.
Wyla and Joe Pinkerton found the Kansas City National Federation of Federal Employees Credit Union.
We offer our first car loan.
Our name changes to Federal Employees Credit Union (FECU).
We grow to more than $10 million in assets.
We install our first computer.
Our new HQ opens on Troost Avenue.
Nancy Pierce becomes our second female president after Wyla Pinkerton.
Membership reaches 35,000 Members and assets grow to more than $93 million.
During our 50th Anniversary year, we change our name from FECU to Mazuma Credit Union.
We join the world wide web with the launch of www.mazuma.org.
We are able to expand membership eligibility to include all Jackson County, MO residents. We grow to 50,000 Members and $200M in assets.
We launch Mazuma CARES and WORKS to further our commitment to the community.
We expand membership eligibility to include residents of Clay County, MO, and then Cass County, MO.
We reveal our new logo featuring the red and blue smile.
We open our new HQ at 7260 W 135th St.
Mazuma becomes the Official Mortgage Partner of Sporting KC.
The Mazuma Foundation launches to give back to the communities our Members call home.
Our 40 Hours for Good program begins, providing Team Members 40 hours of paid volunteer time each year.
We hold our first Give Back Day, a day of organization-wide volunteering in our community.
Deonne Christensen becomes our President & CEO.
Membership reaches more than 70,000. All branches and websites are updated to improve Members’ banking experience.
The Mazuma BBQ Trailer gets smokin’.
We donate $100k to the Kansas City COVID Relief Fund and over $125k to KC non-profits.
We help over 200 businesses secure more than $2.3 million in PPP loans.
The Mazuma Foundation exceeds $500,000 in total grant giving to local non-profits.
Mazuma celebrates 75 years of serving Kansas City!
We become an Official Partner of the Kansas City Current.
Mazuma Credit Union is strong today because of what Wyla and Joe started and so many others have helped to build. We’re proud of our longevity, our service, and our impact.
We celebrate our Members and our Kansas City community for being a vital part of our legacy and our future!
The Mazuma Foundation was created in 2015 to centralize our efforts to give back to the communities our Members call home. The Foundation focuses on the core areas of community development, financial education, and the arts, and each year funds grants to a variety of 501(c)3 organizations throughout the Kansas City metropolitan area.
Non-profit organizations that positively impact our community are encouraged to check out the application at the link below!
Grant Application
