Our Story

On February 16, 1959, under the name of Arkansas Baptist Hospital Federal Credit Union, we were federally chartered under number 12813. Arkansas Baptist Hospital Federal Credit Union was established for the employees, students, trustees, and immediate family members of Arkansas Baptist Hospital in Little Rock, Arkansas. BHFCU originally started with eleven members, seven of which comprised of the Board of Directors and one other hired as an employee. Ms. Iva Lee Suggett was the first employee and carried the title of Treasurer. At the year-end of 1959, Arkansas Baptist Hospital Federal Credit Union had total assets of $19,492.00 and two hundred members.

In 1962 Arkansas Baptist Hospital FCU opened a second office at North Little Rock Memorial Hospital on Pershing Boulevard. The charter was amended at that time to include employees, students, trustees, and family members of North Little Rock Memorial Hospital. This office was subsequently closed on April 15, 1967 due to operating expenses.

Arkansas Baptist Hospital changed their name to Arkansas Baptist Medical Center. Because of this name change, the credit union was granted permission by the hospital Board of Directors to also change it’s name. On March 18, 1966 the credit name changed to Arkansas Baptist Medical Center Federal Credit Union.

Upon the establishment of the Arkansas State College School of Nursing by the hospital, the credit union amended their charter to include these students and staff. In 2015, Baptist Health School of Nursing transitioned to Baptist Health College Little Rock.

In 1970, Arkansas Baptist Medical Center changed their name to Baptist Medical Systems. Because of this name change, the credit union was once again given permission to follow suit but the hospital Board of Directors.

Baptist Medical Systems opened a new hospital on West 12th Streeet in West Little Rock. At the time of opening, the hospital did not have any space for the credit union. After searching for space, the hospital graciously allowed the credit union to move in an unused elevator shaft until such space could be located. We remained in this space until early 1979, at which time we were able to move into a one room office. Later in the same year, a back-office room was added to the existing space. BHFCU still maintains an office at this Little Rock location.

On June 6, 1979, Baptist Medical Systems amended its charter to begin letting other Select Employee Groups or SEG’s to join. Up until that time, only hospital employees, trustees, nursing students, or family members could join. The first group allowed to join the credit union was Radiology students.

The decade of the eighties was very quiet and conservative, with moderate credit union growth. This growth was aided by the purchase of Twin Rivers Medical Center and Clark County Nursing Home in Arkadelphia, Arkansas by our core sponsor in 1981 and Parkway Village Senior Center in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1982. At the end of 1980, Baptist Medical Center Systems Federal Credit Union topped one million in total assets for the first time at $1,040,465. A decade could not go by without another name change. The hospital changed its name back to Baptist Medical Systems, and again the credit union followed suit.

The hospital changed it’s name to Baptist Health and upon board approval, we changed our name to Baptist Health Federal Credit Union.

Baptist Health opened a new hospital in North Little Rock, Arkansas in November 1999. Baptist Health Federal Credit Union also opened a branch in the new hospital, where it remains today. In 1999, the credit union began offering checking accounts and debit cards. Lending was also made a priority with a voice response telephone banking system. This marked the beginning of the transition from Baptist Health Federal Credit Union being a “savers club” to becoming a FULL SERVICE financial institution.

BHFCU began the early 2000s as a nine and a half million dollar credit union. As growth continued, a need for space became necessary. Baptist Health Federal Credit Union built a main office building and moved into our current location at 9000 Kanis Road, just a block east of Baptist Health Little Rock.

We celebrated 50 years as a credit union in 2009 with continued growth and improvements for members. Because of our aggressive efforts, BHFCU grew tremendously and ended the first decade with over twenty-two million in assets.

As Baptist Health continues to grow, so has Baptist Health Federal Credit Union. In 2020, an ATM was added at Baptist Health Fort Smith. BHFCU now provides the ability to check your account anytime, anywhere with online banking and our mobile app. Members can heck balances, transfer funds, and make mobile check deposits. In addition to our e-services, we also offer Surcharge-Free Nationwide ATM Access via MoneyPass. Today BHFCU has over 7400 members and over $38 million in assets.