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FAIRFIELD TOUTS PERSONAL CONNECTION TO CUSTOMERS FOR 50 YEARS OF SUCCESS

By Ezra Mann/OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF
Saturday, November 1, 2008 11:40 PM CDT

There are a few key differences that have always separated a bank from a credit union from the personal touch to the family connection developed across generations, said JoAnn Jacks, member and former employee of Fairfield Credit Union where she worked 38 years.

Fairfield Credit Union employees: Kelly Baker Kristen Bullock (front row, from left), Pam Robinson, Cindy Dunn, Samantha Harvey and Ryan Terry; JoAnn Jacks (back row, from left), Alyson Baker, Debbie Dortch, Amber Poss and Karen House. Pine Bluff Commercial/Ralph Fitzgerald

The credit union is celebrating its 50th anniversary after it open with International Paper mill employees in 1958 and has grown to two locations.

Jacks, who retired as assistant manager in 2003, started as a teller in 1964, and her husband was employed at IP in 1960.

The business was started when Marvin McDaniel, Hugh Hart, Gilbert Alston and Harold “Muscles” Wilson formed the company which now has 26 employees and 8,200 members, said Cindy Dunn, marketing director for Fairfield. The credit union got its name from the community of Fairfield on U.S. 65 and cost a quarter in the beginning for someone to become a member.

Another difference that has set Fairfield a part is the fact that customers are members and actually own a part of the company with rights to vote in board members, who all work on a volunteer basis, added Dunn.

Jacks said that when she started working she knew nothing about being a part of the banking business, but learned quickly with Alston as a mentor.

“It was a good job that allowed me to raise four daughters, one of which who works here now,” said Jacks. “There are some members that are still with the company after 50 years.”

Jacks also has a granddaughter making it three generations of one family at the institution.

There have also been plenty of amusing stories throughout the years including a phone call where a woman asked who her “obituary” was when she actually meant “beneficiary,” said Jacks.

“It was a part of me and I thought I owned it since I worked for so long,” added Jacks, who also pointed out that members take each other out to eat and celebrate holidays. “There have been three managers since this place opened and we take on so many roles when we work.”

Fairfield has come a long way from serving only employees at IP to opening up to everyone in Jefferson County by offering loans and other services with lower interest rates, added Jacks.

Some current services are even geared toward young members including Cha-Ching!, financial services for teens and The Dollar Dog Kids Club, a financial literacy program that teaches money management.

Dunn said Fairfield has managed to keep stable in the troubled economy by staying out of the stock market, but like others has had to become more strict to prevent lending to those unable to pay back.

Dunn noted that many of the current employees’ parents also worked at the institution and that members become so close that they will often look to employees as friends.

Future plans include possible expansion when the economy improves and continuing community involvement through projects such as the Harbor City Festival and Gumbo Cook-off.

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