Driving Our Economy Forward: TVFCU

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Tennessee Valley Federal Union does more than just come up with catchy commercials.

They help local business owners and homeowners – especially those first starting out.

It’s one way TVFCU is driving our economy forward.

“Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union is a tremendous story for Chattanooga and the Tennessee Valley,” said Todd Fortner, President and CEO. “We were started in 1936 by 57 employees of TVA here in Chattanooga. And we’ve now grown to more than 500 employees serving 17 counties around the Tennessee Valley.”

Fortner says TVFCU is one of the primary auto lenders in the community.

“We put more than 2,000 new home loans on the books last year, and we’re a great driver of local business loans,” he said. “We have an Idea Leap program that helps provide needed capital for small businesses. And we offer ideally grants that help small businesses who are growing to add to their payroll. In the Hixson area, there’s a new Towneplace Suites that we’re financing. It’s going to be a 90-room hotel that’s going to really add to the economy in the Hixson area, and be a real bonus for the folks over there and a big boost to the city.”

The vast majority of the credit union’s 500 employees reside in the Tennessee Valley.

“All of our decisions are made locally,” Fortner said. “The executive team is here. All of those salaries stay in the Tennessee Valley, and those employees are able to contribute to the economy. Those employees are also inspired to volunteer for the community. We have a program that allows them up to eight hours of volunteer work paid for by the company. And we’ve got many employees that have taken advantage of the opportunity to go out and work for non-profits, and to help the community be a better place to live.”

Fortner says TVFCU also supports Junior Achievement locally.

“And we have certified employees to do personal finance classes,” he said. “We actually have two folks in Howard High School right now teaching personal finance to help those folks get off to a better start financially as they graduate and move on in life. So no matter what your need is financially, if you need a home loan and auto loan, a checking account, a business loan, a savings account, TVFCU is here to serve you. We are owned by the folks who do business with us. We look forward to you joining and being a part of the family. And TVFCU is a place for all of us.”