Oklahoma Central Credit Union Marks 85 Years Serving Oklahomans, Tops 2,600 Employee Volunteer Hours Annually

Tulsa, OK, USA, October 5th, 2026, FinanceWire

Tulsa-area credit union provides employees 40 paid volunteer hours each year, with CEO Gina Wilson reporting 85% to 90% participation.

Oklahoma Central Credit Union (OCCU) is marking 85 years of serving Oklahomans in 2026, continuing a community-focused approach that now includes an employee volunteer program averaging more than 2,600 hours of service annually.

Through the program, OCCU employees receive 40 paid hours to volunteer with organizations of their choosing. CEO Gina Wilson says approximately 85% to 90% of employees participate each year. The credit union also supports organizations including Children’s Miracle Network and Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma through fundraisers, donations and other outreach.

From Broken Arrow to Owasso, OCCU centers every decision on community well-being. CEO Gina Wilson believes this approach is the least she and her team can do for the people who support them.

“Our success comes from the communities we serve,” says Wilson, who served in about every position from teller to business developer before stepping into her current role in 2002. “We pay that back by improving the financial well-being of our members as well as the places they live and work. There’s nothing better than helping someone buy their first home or assisting a business owner in getting a small business loan.”

As a member-owned, not-for-profit institution, OCCU reinvests its resources into superior products catered to the unique needs of the Tulsa area. With low-interest lending, high-interest accounts, and more, individuals and businesses have access to the financial support they need. Through OCCU’s partnerships, members have access to even more offerings, such as financial planning via an alliance with LPL Financial.

This care is not confined to the individual level, with OCCU’s support extending to the surrounding communities where members live, work, and play. The credit union directly supports organizations like Children’s Miracle Network and Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma through outreach like fundraisers and donations.

When Wilson noticed one of her employees regularly using PTO to volunteer, she created a volunteer service program. Through the program, employees are provided 40 paid hours to volunteer with any organization of their choosing.

“About 85% to 90% of our employees are volunteering every year, and through this program, we’re averaging over 2,600 hours a year in community service,” says Wilson. “Our credit union is the first to be called if someone in the community needs us. We love this city, and somebody always steps up.”

From the Inside Out

What elevates the OCCU member experience above all else, says Wilson, is the warm welcome provided by the credit union’s employees. Prioritizing respect and open communication, the team provides each member with the personalized service they need to thrive in their financial lives.

Making this level of attention and care possible is the support team members receive from the credit union themselves. Wilson and her colleagues have crafted a culture that encourages participation and growth. No matter someone’s position at OCCU, their opinions and suggestions are all held to the same high regard. This has led to an extremely low turnover, which means members get to see the same familiar faces as the years go by.

“We’re always investing in our employees because they are who create an amazing experience for those we serve. When members do business with us, they are never just an account number,” says Wilson. “As we move into the future, we’re always looking for new ways to help our team, members, and communities thrive.”

“Our success comes from the communities we serve. We pay that back by improving the financial well-being of our members as well as the places they live and work.” —Gina Wilson, CEO of OCCU

About Oklahoma Central Credit Union

The Mission of Oklahoma Central Credit Union (OCCU) is to make a difference in the lives of our employees, members and the communities we serve. OCCU has helped Oklahomans meet their financial goals, solve problems and turn opportunities into accomplishments since 1941.

Contact