Question 1

What is Kalsee Credit Union?

Accepted Answer

Kalsee Credit Union is a state-chartered credit union headquartered in Kalamazoo, Michigan. With approximately $283 million in total assets and serving over 21,900 members, Kalsee is a community-focused financial institution that specializes in serving individuals and families throughout Southwest Michigan.

The credit union operates under a community charter, making membership accessible to anyone who lives, works, worships, or attends school in eight counties across the region. As a not-for-profit, member-owned cooperative, Kalsee returns value to its members through competitive rates, lower fees, and personalized service.

Question 2

When was Kalsee Credit Union founded?

Accepted Answer

Kalsee Credit Union was founded in 1954 by a group of employees at National Water Lift in Kalamazoo. These workers came together to solve a common problem: their coworkers needed access to fair, affordable financial services during the postwar era in Michigan.

They formed Lift Line Credit Union, named for the hydraulic lift products manufactured by National Water Lift. With trust and determination, they pooled their money and elected Paul Matyas as treasurer and the holder of Account #1. The credit union began issuing small, low-interest loans from employees, for employees.

In 1965, Kalsee hired its first full-time employee, Robert Moore, who would later serve as CEO for over 40 years. Under his leadership, the credit union expanded significantly. In 1970, it adopted the name National Water Lift Employees Credit Union.

By 1977, the credit union amended its charter to serve other companies in southeast Kalamazoo, leading to its current name: Kalsee, short for Kalamazoo South East Employees. A year later, the credit union moved into its own purpose-built facility on Miller Road.

Question 3

Where is Kalsee Credit Union headquartered?

Accepted Answer

Kalsee Credit Union is headquartered in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The main office is located at 2501 Millcork Street, with the mailing address at PO Box 3006, Kalamazoo, MI 49003.

Question 4

Where does Kalsee Credit Union operate?

Accepted Answer

Kalsee Credit Union operates throughout Southwest Michigan with multiple branch locations serving the greater Kalamazoo area. The credit union maintains branch offices in Kalamazoo, Portage, Vicksburg, and several other communities.

In 2008, Kalsee adopted a community charter, which significantly expanded its membership eligibility. Anyone who lives, works, worships, or attends school in the following eight counties can join Kalsee Credit Union:
• Allegan County
• Barry County
• Branch County
• Calhoun County
• Cass County
• Kalamazoo County
• St. Joseph County
• Van Buren County

This community charter has allowed Kalsee to serve a much broader population across Southwest Michigan while maintaining its local, community-focused approach to banking.

Question 5

What services does Kalsee Credit Union offer?

Accepted Answer

Kalsee Credit Union provides a comprehensive range of financial products and services designed to meet the needs of individuals, families, and businesses.

Deposit Accounts: The credit union offers various share (savings) accounts and checking accounts, including specialized options like Kasasa Checking accounts that allow members to earn cash back. Members benefit from competitive interest rates on savings products.

Lending Services: Kalsee provides auto loans, mortgage loans for home purchases and refinancing, personal loans, and business loans. The credit union is known for offering competitive loan rates and working closely with members to find financing solutions that fit their needs and budgets.

Digital Banking: Members have access to robust online banking and mobile banking platforms. The Kalsee mobile app features mobile check deposit using smartphone cameras, fingerprint and face recognition login, instant transaction alerts, fund transfers, bill payment, and account management on the go. Members can access their accounts 24/7 from any device.

Additional Services: Kalsee offers credit cards, overdraft protection options, investment management services, retirement planning services, small business banking tools, eStatements, text banking, and customizable eAlerts for account monitoring.

The credit union also provides a free ClickSWITCH portal to help members easily switch their direct deposits, automatic payments, and accounts without paperwork or phone calls.

Question 6

What makes Kalsee Credit Union unique?

Accepted Answer

Kalsee Credit Union distinguishes itself through its deep roots in the local community and its commitment to member service over profits.

Rich Heritage of Mergers: Over the decades, Kalsee has welcomed numerous smaller, company-based credit unions that shared its cooperative spirit and member-first philosophy. These mergers include Interkal Credit Union (1977), Eckrich Employees Federal Credit Union (1981), Allied Paper Corporation Credit Union (1984), Northwest Industrial Credit Union (1990), Papermakers Credit Union (1992), Simpson Lee Employees Credit Union (2001), Battle Creek Building & Trades Employees Credit Union (2006), Kalamazoo Gazette Employees Credit Union (2008), and Kalamazoo Building Trades Credit Union (2017).

Notable Corporate Partnerships: Kalsee has served many noteworthy local companies throughout its history, including The Upjohn Company, Stryker Corporation, Checker Motors Corporation, Green Bay Packaging, and Durametallic Corporation. These partnerships have helped bring financial wellness into workplaces and homes throughout the region.

Mission-Driven Service: Kalsee's official mission statement—"To build relationships and cultivate financial wellness, empowering people to focus on what matters"—wasn't written in a boardroom. It was drawn from the real, personal experiences of team members who live these values every day.

Award-Winning Workplace: Kalsee has been recognized as one of the Best and Brightest Companies to Work For in 2023, 2024, and 2025. This recognition reflects the credit union's investment in its team through exceptional health coverage, low employee costs, comprehensive wellness programs, and a culture that values every individual.

Community-Centered Approach: As members frequently note, Kalsee provides a "small town feel" with personal service that makes members feel like family rather than just account numbers.

Question 7

What type of financial institution is Kalsee Credit Union?

Accepted Answer

Kalsee Credit Union is a state-chartered credit union regulated by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) and supervised by the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services.

As a state-chartered natural person credit union, Kalsee operates under Michigan state law while adhering to federal credit union regulations. The credit union is a not-for-profit, member-owned financial cooperative, which means it exists to serve its members rather than generate profits for outside investors.

Membership Structure: Credit unions operate on a cooperative principle where each member is also an owner with voting rights. Members elect a volunteer board of directors who oversee the credit union's operations. This democratic structure ensures that decisions are made in the best interests of the membership.

Community Charter: Since 2008, Kalsee has operated under a community charter, which allows anyone who lives, works, worships, or attends school in its eight-county service area to become a member. This is more inclusive than the traditional Select Employee Group (SEG) charters that limit membership to employees of specific companies.

Member Benefits: As a member-owned cooperative, Kalsee returns value to members through better rates on loans and deposits, fewer fees, and personalized attention. The cooperative structure also means that profits are reinvested into better services, technology, and community support rather than distributed to outside shareholders.

Kalsee Credit Union

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About Kalsee Credit Union in the United States