With National Life’s move to its present facility, the Credit Union was relocated within the Treasurer’s Department. Credit Union member withdrawals could be made by check only. A member could use National Life’s cash window to cash the check. In fact, cash transactions were not available at the Credit Union until 1987. At that time, cash deposits were placed into metal cash boxes in Credit Union employees’ desks until the end of the business day.

The Credit Union was thought to be “a part of National Life” until 1988. At that time, a clear distinction was made by creating an agreement with National Life regarding the Credit Union’s independent status. At that time, there were 8 full time employees and the Credit Union had assets of $9 million. Today we have 8 full-time employees and 2 part-time employees with more than double the assets— over $20 million! We have only had two CEOs in the history of the Credit Union.

In 1981, we introduced share draft (checking) accounts. In the early 1990s, we joined an ATM service program. In 1995, we moved to our current location within the National Life facility.

Upon acquiring a community charter in December, 1999, the Credit Union expanded its membership eligibility to include anyone who lives or works in Washington County; consequently dropping "Employees" from its name to reflect its expanded field of membership.

On December 3, 2001, we opened our new main office at 266 North Main Street in downtown Barre, while maintaining the current location in Montpelier as a reconfigured satellite branch.

On May 1, 2002 we changed our name to Granite Hills Credit Union to better reflect the people and communities we serve.

As a Credit Union we have enjoyed helping people fulfill their dreams of new cars, homes, and much more! We have made interesting loans for an airplane, a crane, a semi-truck and even a horse! In the early years, we would accept jewelry, paper stock or life insurance policies as collateral.

We feel our future is bright and look forward to introducing new services and programs to our members – including innovative car buying programs, enhanced online banking, relationship account packages and more!

We are very proud that some of our charter members have been with us since our beginnings in the 1950s. We are always pleased to hear from all of our members. If you have any interesting memories about the Credit Union that you would like to share – please send us an email. Thank you!

Our Mission statement: To be the financial institution of choice for our members. We will accomplish this by providing the best possible financial products and services at rates and terms that are fair and reasonable. We will promote financial responsibility.