History

In the Beginning
KEMBA Financial Credit Union was founded in 1933 as the credit union for the employees of The Kroger Company. In fact, KEMBA stands for Kroger Employee Mutual Benefits Association. The original branch office was a small room inside the Kroger Bakery where the credit union helped members for nearly 40 years. Eventually, KEMBA outgrew the small office, and in 1971, we moved to E. Broad Street in Whitehall. That building was expanded and renovated in 1980 and again in 1994 as growth continued.

Expanding and Growing
The current decade has been full of rapid growth and expansion for KEMBA. In the past 3 years KEMBA has merged with 3 credit unions; Ackerman Credit Union in 2003, KEMBA Michigan in 2004, and Core One Credit Union in the summer of 2006. The mergers and rapid growth created the need to expand and relocate the corporate office. This was completed in the spring of 2006 with the relocation to Gahanna. We now have a total of nine branch locations for our members to conduct their financial business, along with complete on-line banking services, an automated telephone service, over 31,000 ATMs nationwide and 2,200 shared branching locations. KEMBA’s assets are greater than $450 million, and with over 53,000 members KEMBA’s future looks prosperous.

Looking Ahead to the Future
Today, KEMBA Financial is embarking on an exciting journey. In addition to over 130 progressive companies, we now serve all of Franklin, Delaware, Madison and Logan counties, and Sylvania township. Our doors are open to those who live, work, worship or attend school in these areas. Of course we have not forgotten our roots and we continue to serve Kroger employees and members in the Great Lakes Division.

It’s been over 70 years since KEMBA’s humble beginnings in a small office inside the Kroger Bakery. Yet, KEMBA’s purpose remains the same, helping families improve their quality of living through access to professional, reasonably priced financial services.