HOUGHTON - Although 2009 is not yet over, Michigan Tech Employees Federal Credit Union is already viewing the year as successful.

"We've almost reached our entire growth projection for 2009 in the first quarter alone," President Ted Fredrickson said.

Fredrickson said membership, deposits and assets continue to grow partly because of a "flight to safety."

"Members choose to invest in their credit union account because of the recognized safety of this credit union and the credit union industry," he said.

MTEFCU also continues to put its members first. A recent example is a new branch in Hancock that opened in 2008 to better serve the 2,800 members that live north of the Portage Lake Lift Bridge and the nationwide Invest in America program that encourages people to buy new GM and Chrysler vehicles by offering favorable interest rates and employee pricing. The credit union also has special deals for people who buy Ford vehicles, Fredrickson said.

The union is now wrapping up Youth Month as part of its mission to teach children financial skills. Part of the month included a savings challenge between the credit union's in-school branches in Hancock and Chassell. The grand prize is a pizza party.

"They are really gung ho about this and they have told all their friends; transactions have almost doubled," said Marketing Director Mia Collins.

Future plans include opening a Houghton High School Branch in September.

"We'll be looking to do this with any school that wants to promote early training in personal finances," Fredrickson said.

Although the credit union's year is already going well, they don't plan on taking it easy.

"We're constantly reinvesting and reinventing and we're going to continue looking to be on the cutting edge of technology for the delivery of financial services and products," Collins said.

Layla Aslani can be reached at laslani@mininggazette.com.