About Us & Our History

Who We Are

As a not-for-profit financial cooperative, our focus will always be on serving people, not shareholder profit. Simply put, we value members over numbers. That means we’re able to return profits back to you in the form of benefits like:

• Higher dividends on savings accounts
• Lower interest rates on loans
• Lower (if any fees) on products and services

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What We Believe

Values

We’re drivers of intentional, positive change. There are some things, however, that we believe should never change. These are the core tenets of who we are as an organization. They’re our cultural identity and the talk we walk each and every day. We don’t do it because our core values tell us to. Our core values simply reflect who we are.

1. Better, Simpler, Faster
2. One Team
3. Learn + Teach
4. We Serve
5. Stay Positive + Have Fun

Mission

We passionately advocate to better the lives of those we serve.

Vision

We envision a future in which everyone can overcome financial challenges, achieve their dreams, and thrive.

1958

Nine employees of Nashville’s Baptist Hospital had an idea: to create a financial cooperative that would understand and cater to the unique needs and schedules of workers in the healthcare industry. With an initial investment of $45 and volunteer employees to handle day-to-day operations, Baptist Hospital Credit Union was a labor of love, the passion project of a small group dedicated to serving the healthcare community.

1981

We continued to grow and expand throughout the sixties and seventies. As we grew, so did our services. From the beginning, we offered savings accounts and loans to our member-owners. In the early 80’s, we also begin to offer members checking accounts. Since then, we’ve added all kinds of amenities, including Audio Response, Home Banking, FAX machines, and nation-wide ATM access.

2000

In 2000, we moved to our proud new location in the Midstate Building, where we’ve been to this day. To better serve our member’s schedules, we began offering night shift services to our hours here when we moved. We also launched our very first website.

2010

In 2010 we changed our name: Baptist Hospital Credit Union became Life CU. Our mission is not just to provide financial services to those in the healthcare community, but to build relationships with our members for life. That is why no matter where you move, or what career changes may lie ahead, your membership with Life CU will remain intact.

2018

It was our Diamond Anniversary and we celebrated our 60 years of serving the healthcare community. In fact, it was a delight to celebrate our credit union family that whole year through. It was a “gem” of a milestone!

As we reflected over our first 60 years serving the healthcare community, we were filled with gratitude to those who make Life Credit Union successful and steadfast…the people. Our roots run deep…from the longevity of staff to the continued support of our loyal members; they make Life Credit Union what it is today and what it will be tomorrow. We will always be honored to be your trusted partner in Life!

Today

In April of 2022, Life Credit Union merged with Fortera Credit Union. As a subsidiary of Fortera, Life Credit Union operates as Life Credit Union, Powered by Fortera.

Life and Fortera’s relationship sprouted from the common values we share. Together, we’re a place where money thrives and people do too. We’re here for our members, for each other and for the communities we serve. We’ll meet you where you are and help you get where you want to go.