Lynn credit union merry during 100th celebration

LYNN – St. Jean’s Credit Union celebrated its 100th anniversary Wednesday evening at their main branch on Maple Street in Lynn.Receptions were also held at their other three branches in Revere, Newburyport and Salem.St. Jean’s Credit Union has served as America’s oldest state chartered credit union and the second oldest in the nation since it opened in 1910.Chief Executive Officer David Surface has led St. Jean’s for the past nine years.”We take our responsibilities as a non-profit driven service seriously,” said Surface. “We are owned by membership and strive to lend our services to benefit the general public.”St. Jean’s now has more than 15,000 members and $91 million out in loans.”We take pride in fulfilling our mission to provide credit,” said Surface.St. Jean’s was started by St. Jean Baptiste Church and received their charter on Sept. 29, 1910 as a local credit union to serve the French community.Oscar Simard of Lynn put $5 into his account in 1910 and became the first share depositor. After one year, St. Jean’s stood with $6,1920.20 in assets.A century later than amount has reached $134,000,000.Tom Lindner of Lynn has been a St. Jean’s member for 19 years.”These are good people,” said Lindner. “I always feel welcome when I come to do my banking. A 100-year anniversary really shows that they’re doing something right.”Surface believes part of the credit union’s success is due to the personal atmosphere they create.”Our members have, and always will have a voice and a say in our business,” said Surface. “We really want to help the un-banked and promote financial literacy.”Publisher of The Daily Item, Peter H. Gamage, extended his compliments to the credit union for its historic achievement.”I would congratulate David Surface and the board of directors of St. Jean’s on joining the 100-year business club,” said Gamage. “They should be proud.”