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 East 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 six years KEMBA has merged with three credit unions; Ackerman Credit Union in 2003, KEMBA Michigan Credit Union in 2004, and Core One Credit Union in 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 our relocation to Gahanna. We now have a total of eight branch locations for our members to conduct their financial business, along with complete online banking services, an automated telephone service, over 36,000 ATMs and 3,600 shared branching locations nationwide. KEMBA’s assets are greater than $506 million, and with more than 52,000 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. 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.

It has been more than 75 years since KEMBA’s humble beginnings in a small office inside the Kroger Bakery. Yet, KEMBA’s purpose remains the same: promoting thrift and providing credit. Enriching the financial lives of those we have the privilege to serve is our mission. Doing so in a sound manner, for both our members and the cooperative is our practice.