LUSO Federal Credit Union, a full-service financial institution with branches in Ludlow and Wilbraham, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. LUSO was founded in 1971 by Joseph Dias, Jr. of Ludlow with $35 in assets and seven members. Today, it has grown into one of the premier financial institutions of Hampden County with over $230 million in assets and a growing 8,300 members.
“Over the past 50 years, LUSO has remained dedicated to serving the financial needs of members throughout all of Hampden County,” said Jennifer M.G. Calheno, President and CEO of LUSO Federal Credit Union for over 25 years. “We are extremely proud to be celebrating this Golden Anniversary. Although our business certainly looks much different than it did 50 years ago, we continue to operate under the same guiding principles to serve our members’ unique financial needs.”
LUSO began in 1971 with the Portuguese-American Club in Ludlow, but expanded its charter under Calheno’s leadership to serve anyone who lives, works, worships, or attends school in Hampden County. In 2007, LUSO moved into its current headquarters at 599 East St. in Ludlow, and in 2014, the second branch at Crane Park in Wilbraham opened its doors.
This year, LUSO looks to celebrate its 50 years with a reflection on its history, offering a special auto loan promotion for the month of February, hosting member and employee appreciation days, reintroducing the member referral program, and sharing new and exciting products and services that will continue to better serve our members. LUSO’s dedicated employees, management team and Board of Directors remain all the more focused on the credit union’s mission to advance the financial health and wellness of its membership through services that best enable them to become financially self-sufficient and successful.
From rolling out cutting-edge technology that allows members to access their LUSO accounts anytime, anywhere, to redefining the in-lobby banking experience – especially during and in the aftermath of a global pandemic – LUSO is constantly working behind the scenes in the ever-changing financial services environment to provide members with exceptional service and flexibility.
“Staying in business for 50 years is a great accomplishment for any financial institution, and we are especially proud of our longstanding commitment to serving our members,” said Maria F. Gomes, who has served as board chair of LUSO for over 30 years. “At LUSO, our history and heritage play an important role in our longevity; our original field of membership in Ludlow continues to serve as a mainstay for our current field of membership throughout all of Hampden County.”
To learn more about the products and services offered at LUSO Federal Credit Union, visit www.lusofederal.com. To speak with a Member Service Representative or Lending Specialist, call (844) LUSO-FCU or email info@lusofederal.com.