In today's financial service industry, local banks and other financial institutions are sold, merged, and change names on a regular basis. Today's consumers are often caught in a roller-coaster ride of changing names, policies, and service quality. Throughout this turmoil, Community Trust Credit Union has remained a solid, stable, and permanent fixture, serving the Gurnee and Grayslake Communities for over 70 years. In fact, CTCU is the oldest surviving financial institution serving the Gurnee and Grayslake communities.

Community Trust Credit Union began as "Warren Township Credit Union" on July 18, 1933. The Credit Union was organized by the leaders in the community who wanted to help each other through the depression years as an alternative to the high loan, and low savings, rates offered by local banks and savings & loans. The initial field of membership was any person living and working in Warren Township, along with their family members.

On August 11, 1933, the first organizational meeting of the credit union was held in the basement of the Gurnee Community Church. Reverend Ellis Cowling acted as Chairman. At the first meeting membership fees and shares of $39.25 were subscribed.

In March 1973, the office of the Credit Union was moved from the residence of Treasurer, John McCaughey, on Emerald Avenue to new quarters at 4236 Grand Avenue, Gurnee. Credit Union assets totaled $440,000, with 627 members. In September 1978, the credit union converted from manual bookkeeping to a batch data processing system.

In November 1978, the credit union merged with the smaller Newport Township Credit Union and the name was changed to Warren Newport Credit Union. Newport Credit Union had assets of $132,000 and 178 members at the time. Membership was now expanded to anyone living or working in either township.

In July 1984, the credit union moved into its present Gurnee facility on Skokie Highway. Assets had increased to $9,457,000 and membership had grown to 4,409.

In January 1991, North Lakes Teachers Credit Union merged with Warren Newport Credit Union.

In May 1993 the charter was expanded to include Avon Township and a branch was opened in Country Faire Plaza at Routes 45 and 120 to service that area. Later that same year the Keystone Printing Credit Union merger expanded membership to include the News Sun and their affiliates.

In 1997 Warren Newport Credit Union became Community Trust Credit Union to reflect an expanding membership.

In 2000, CTCU was granted a charter expansion to serve all those who live or work in Lake or McHenry Counties in Illinois and Kenosha County in Wisconsin, which has enabled CTCU to provide financial services to our growing and expanding community with assets totaling $114 million and over 15,000 members.

Over the years, CTCU has played an important role in the history, development and growth of the Gurnee and Grayslake Communities. We're proud of this, yet we will never forget our dedication toward our mission which has maintained our success:

“Excellence Through Quality Service”

This commitment to our member-owners and our community will always remain constant.