It all started in 1932, during the Great Depression, when the desperate financial needs of a new school teacher in Rochester prompted him and 7 Rochester firefighters to establish their own credit union, Municipal Employees Credit Union (MECU). Today, we have grown to serve over 16,000 members in the 5 South East Minnesota Counties of Olmsted, Dodge, Goodhue, Wabasha, and Winona. Today, membership is open to anyone who lives, works, worships, owns a business, or attends school in our 5 county communities. Family members are also eligible to join! Depositing $5 is all it takes to open an account at Rochester’s original credit union.