Few credit unions in the U.S. have been building branches faster than Consumers Credit Union, which is based in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

The $2.4 billion-asset institution currently has 32 branches with several more on the drawing board.

Most recently, the credit union said it purchased a building in Rockford, Michigan, that formerly housed Jody’s Restaurant – a community staple for 44 years.

Lynne Jarman-Johnson, the chief marketing officer at Consumers, confirmed to MLive that the credit union anticipates breaking ground on the site later in 2025.

“We’ve been serving Grand Rapids for over a decade, and Rockford is a natural extension of that market and home to many of our members and employees,” Jarman-Johson told the publication.

The restaurant shuttered its doors late last year after its owner decided to retire.

Enter Consumers.

The half acre property and 2,178-square-foot building were sold to Consumers Credit Union by the restaurant on Dec. 20 for $700,000, MLive reported.

When the heavy equipment arrives on the site it will be the latest in a string of ground-breakings the credit union has overseen in recent months.

In November, Consumers announced that construction has begun on a new 1,185-square-foot office in Marshall, Michigan.

The new location, projected to open in 2025, will provide a comprehensive financial experience, including personal checking, savings, credit cards, mortgages, full-service lending and banking, investments and education.

That came on the heels of plans to open a new branch in Roosevelt Park in Muskegon County and a 1,185-square-foot facility in Galesburg.

“We’re excited to bring our financial expertise to the Marshall community and continue to expand along the I-94 corridor,” said Consumers’ President and CEO Scott Sylvester about the Marshall location.

Consumers also recently opened new branches in East Lansing and Lake Lansing.

The credit union likely believes it needs the new branches to serve its rapidly growing membership. Consumer Credit Union had more than 144,000 members at the end of 2024 – a 43% increase compared to just five years ago.

Consumers earned roughly $22 million in 2024, a 4% increase compared to a year earlier, according to call report data from the National Credit Union Administration.

“As we continue to grow and offer more services to our members, the Lansing market remains a crucial part of our strategy.”

 – Scott Sylvester
President and CEO
Consumers Credit Union