Our History

Carter Federal’s beginnings date back to 1954, when the credit union was chartered to serve the employees of International Paper Company. The credit union remained at IP until its offices suffered significant fire damage and relocated off site. Not long after the fire, International Paper ceased operations in Springhill.

The early ’80s witnessed a growth spurt. Carter Federal first offered members toll free access in 1981. Over the next five years, three other credit unions, including UAW Local 2166 FCU (General Motors), Clear Lake FCU (IP) and Superior Supply Group FCU merged into our field of membership.

These mergers brought with them the opening of our Shreveport and Mansfield branches, and made it necessary for Carter Federal to open a new facility in Springhill in 1985.

The last half of the ’80s was also a busy time at Carter Federal. Two more credit unions merged with CFCU. The members of the Louisiana Association of Educators in Webster or Claiborne Parishes and the Medical Centers of South Arkansas in El Dorado, Arkansas.

In 1987, our branch at International Paper in Mansfield moved from the plant to new offices downtown. During the next two years, new branches were also added in Magnolia and El Dorado, Arkansas.

Another credit union merged with Carter Federal in the ’90s — Twin City Catholic FCU of Monroe.

Between 1990 and 1997, Carter Federal moved into a new building in Shreveport, closed the El Dorado, Arkansas branch, moved the Operations Center to Main Street in Springhill and placed an ATM in the General Motors plant in Shreveport.

In 2000, Carter Federal added a new branch location — Minden, Louisiana. The Minden branch grew so quickly, we moved into a brand new building in 2001.

One more credit union merged with Carter Federal in 2002, the members of DeSoto Parish Teachers FCU in Mansfield, Louisiana.

Today, Carter Federal Credit Union serves the financial needs of over 25,000 members in 46 States.