Early in 1935, a small group of enterprising friends at the York Ice Machinery Corporation envisioned a way to strengthen the financial futures of its employees. So, they set out to build a financial cooperative that could provide services to its mostly blue-collar workers that were often overlooked by the bigger banks. On April 29, 1935 their vision became a reality when the charter was approved for the YORKCO York Employees Federal Credit Union. The new credit union opened for business from a desktop located in the Industrial Relations Department of the Borg-Warner Plant.

A Credit Union for Ice Machinery Workers
Had Community Down Cold

The York Ice Machinery Corporation (later York International, which was acquired by Johnson Controls in 2005) was one of York’s early leading manufacturers. In 1937, the company installed refrigerating equipment in the new United States Capitol Power Plant to provide air conditioning for the U.S. Capitol Building, the Senate office Building, and the two House Office Buildings in Washington, D.C. At the time, the project, which began in 1933, was the world’s largest installation of refrigerating machinery for air conditioning purposes. Overall, the power plant had enough pumping capacity for a water system serving a city of 200,000 people. And, now they had a credit union, YORKCO, to serve the people that made it happen.

A New Name, New Partnerships
and New Sense of Mission

In 1969 after several decades of growth, a new name was established. The York Borg-Warner Federal Credit Union better communicated York Ice Machinery Corporation’s merging into Borg-Warner Corporation. Ten years later, The Borg-Warner Corporation divided off a two-acre parcel of the company’s land to build its first branch location.

Almost 43 years to the date that the YORKCO York Employees Federal Credit Union opened for business in the Borg-Warner Plant on Roosevelt Ave., the renamed York Borg-Warner Federal Credit Union opens its own doors on May 4, 1978 at 777 Kings Mill Road in a brand-new two-story building. This location which served 4,000 members offered a spacious lobby and drive-up window. An advertisement that ran in the local newspaper in 1978 said: From Desktop To Drive-Up Window We’ve Come A Long Way Baby.

Over the next few years, the York Borg Warner Federal Credit Union welcomed two smaller credit unions: Teledyne York Federal Credit Union and Dentsply Federal Credit Union. In 1986, the name was changed to better reflect the growth of membership beyond Borg Warner Corporation employees and to better represent the heritage of our growing roots in the Susquehanna Valley. Today, the name Heritage Valley Federal Credit Union continues to cultivate a strong reputation and be a recognized name within the York community.

Growing Our Membership and
Footprint by Standing for Community

As we grew, so did our membership. Starting in the 1980s, we began adding various other partner group companies and over the next 25 years, we added over 150 different employee groups. In late 1992, we merged with York Area Employees Federal Credit Union and then one year later we merged with Green’s Dairy Employees Credit Union.

Our growth sparked the need for expansion and the Pleasant Valley Road office was built in 1993 which became our main headquarters. After 12 years, the Heritage Valley board made the decision to change our charter from a Select Employee Group Charter to a Community Charter. This change enabled us to offer membership to anyone who lives, works, worships or goes to school in York County, Pa. while still maintaining relationships with our employee groups, many of whom we still have good relationships with today.

We Make Banking, And Your
Decision to Choose Us Effortless

In 2011, we opened the door to our third and newest office on Cape Horn Road. In addition to membership growth, the progression of digital banking services also exploded. Heritage Valley grew as technology grew, while still maintaining the high level of personal service we are known for. In 2022, we expanded our membership to the counties of Adams, Cumberland and Dauphin. Later that same year, we relocated the Heritage Valley Kings Mill Road branch to Roosevelt Avenue after outgrowing the original office. The change allowed us to better serve our members in a newer branch, with many other conveniences, including three drive-thru lanes and a drive-up ATM.

We like to say that throughout these changes, one thing remained the same. The philosophy of looking out for our members’ best interests because we have made a bigger impact through the relationships we’ve built. Our growth has always been the result of our Board and Staff’s desire to not only showcase our outstanding member service, but to also help new members with their banking and borrowing needs every day.

Knowing You is How We Turn
Your History into Your Heritage

“We truly care for our members and understand life happens and everyone has their own story,” said Mike Gutshall, President and CEO. “This is what our heritage has been built upon for over 90 years and what sets us apart. We take the time to listen to our members, hear their stories and discover what is important to them so we can better serve them.”

Perhaps our latest tagline or brand promise, Effortless Banking, sums up our heritage of today. By making banking effortless through the most advanced digital banking technology to our highly rated personal service, this will enable our growth over the next 90 years.