Our Story
In June 1951 President Harry Truman personally dedicated Arnold Engineering Development Center (AEDC) at Arnold Air Force Base, Tenn. On July 12, 1951, eight people at the Air Force’s new test facility pooled their savings to form a credit union. The first “branch” consisted of a desk in the corner of the Benefits Office of Arnold Research Organization, Inc. (ARO) at AEDC. Membership to AEDC Federal Credit Union was open to the civilian employees and commissioned officers at the base.

In 2006 the credit union’s Board of Directors voted to change the organization’s name to Ascend Federal Credit Union. The reason for the name change was to better differentiate the credit union and create a cohesive, recognizable brand in a crowded financial marketplace. A Strategic Plan was developed that included building new financial centers or remodeling existing ones to fit the brand. Common themes in the new and remodeled facilities include a greeter station and the replacement of traditional teller lines with pods to allow for more personal interaction with members.

Promise
Our brand promise is to educate and help members become effective financial stewards. We deliver this promise by asking questions and offering our full, undivided attention to understand your current life situation and future plans before offering solutions.

Mission
Our mission is to enhance members’ lives with superior products delivered with service excellence.

Vision
Our vision is to elevate members’ trust to establish Ascend as their primary financial institution.

Our tagline is “Raising Possibilities.” All that we do to define and differentiate ourselves from other financial institutions derives from this. We want to help you recognize and raise all the possibilities as we assist you with personal financial solutions.