Walker County Federal Credit Union has been in business in Huntsville for nearly 70 years. They’ve made it their goal to provide customer service that makes every guest and member feel welcome. It’s an atmosphere where ‘everyone knows your name and they’re glad you came’ that makes it stand out as a Walker County financial institution.
“In our community, we have really tried hard to maintain that small town mentality. We have found this is the culture that works for us, and we feel we’re fulfilling our members’ needs by maintaining that,” said Toi Williamson, CEO.
Williamson is a lifelong Huntsville resident and has worked at WCFCU for 30 years. She started at the credit union in 1994 as a 16-year-old student at Huntsville High School. She found her first job through the high school’s co-op program. Over the many years she’s worked at the credit union, Williamson has served in nearly every aspect of the business. In 2012, she graduated from the Southwest CUNA Management School and became the CEO in January 2013. She credits her professional journey to their previous CEO, Rod Oliver.
“I honestly feel like what set the path for me is our previous CEO. His leadership, heart, and confidence in me gave me opportunities I may not have otherwise had,” she said.
A credit union is a non-profit financial institution that serves a group of people who have some factor in common. In this case, people who live, work, attend school, or worship in Walker County (and their immediate family members) qualify for membership. Once a member, individuals can remain members even if they later move, change jobs, or change places of worship. All members act as investors by buying shares, which function as deposits, and those funds are used for loans that pay dividends to members and provide them with affordable products and services.
WCFCU was started in 1957 as Walker County Teachers Credit Union by a group of Sam Houston State University professors on the campus at SHSU. It later became open to all residents of Walker County and moved to 13th Street and Avenue N, then to its present location at 1802 Normal Park Drive in Huntsville in 2001.
The credit union offers products and services common to most financial institutions. They provide personal and business accounts, savings accounts, CDs, IRAs, super shares, and more. According to Williamson, the credit union works hard to be competitive with loan rates and terms. What makes the business unique in comparison to traditional banking is that most funds earned in dividends go directly back to the members. Also, it is governed by a volunteer board made up of local individuals with a desire to make a difference in their community.
“All policies are set by the board of directors,” said Williamson. “We couldn’t do it without them. It’s challenging these days to find people who want to volunteer. They’re good people, and we’ve been very blessed. They take very good care of us, which allows us to take good care of our members.”
Customer service is the prime factor that sets the credit union apart in the community, according to Williamson. Every position in the business has a hand in providing quality member services. From the moment a member of the community enters the front doors, they’re greeted by a smiling face. It could be Terry Carter, a teller who joined the credit union in recent months; Ruthie Johnson, who celebrated her 20th year with the business (after retiring and returning multiple times); or another employee who’s ready to help. There’s a feeling of camaraderie among members and the WCFCU staff.
“We have a really good staff, which is indicative of the success of the credit union. A lot of our members have true, personal, professional relationships with our staff. We have certain members who want to deal with certain employees. People will sit and wait for their person to become available,” said Williamson. “We know our members have choices, and without us being their choice, we do not exist.
There’s one obvious difference that immediately stands out for those who place a call to WCFCU. A live person working in the local credit union answers the phone. This may seem trivial, but anyone who has tried calling a business lately knows it’s rare to automatically and initially speak to a person that works there. You might hear the friendly voice of one of the tellers on the other end of the line. You might even get Williamson on the phone, if the lobby and drive-thru are particularly busy. No matter who it is, though, it will always be local, live people—the same people you’ll interact with when you step through the doors to do business. These days, that’s refreshing.
Another pillar of the credit union’s business is community service. Each year, they donate to many local groups and organizations. In 2024, they invested $18,500 in Walker County through programs such as the Huntsville Main Street Program, local schools, the Walker County Fair Association, H.E.A.R.T.S. Museum, CASA of Walker County, and many more. Williamson makes it a point to attend Huntsville ISD athletic events, Walker County Fair shows, and other community events.
“A lot of our sponsorships and donations are motivated by our youth and other non-profits. The kids in this community are so important. They’re our future, and we have to invest in those children,” Williamson said.
After 30 years with WCFCU, Williamson is certainly the expert when it comes to what the business offers to the Walker County community. In her expert opinion, the credit union is a great option for individuals, families, and businesses seeking a strong, sound, friendly, customer service oriented financial institution.
“I feel like we can present an opportunity to potentially help families—whether it be by rates, relationship, or maybe through a product that would suit them well,” she said. “If you’re looking for a place to feel at home, that’s what we want for our members.”
For more information about WCFCU, visit walkercountyfcu.com or call 936-291-2171 to speak with one of their friendly staff members.
Postcards Magazine
936-293-1188
PO Box 690
Huntsville, TX 77342
