In 2012 Upper Cumberland Federal Credit Union enjoyed a year of solid growth, due in part to offering loan services that the local community wanted and needed.  Loan Manager Shirley Bradford reports that UCFCU approved 5,266 loans in 2012 and loaned over $14.8 million.  Those are huge numbers when you consider the credit union only operates out of two locations, Crossville and Clarkrange.  The loans primarily consisted of used auto loans and small balance mortgages.
 Unlike some financial institutions who shy away from used auto lending or small balance mortgages, UCFCU is responding to what the community is asking for. “For several months during 2012,” Bradford said, “we offered high credit score members 3.99% APR on small mortgage loans and 2.75% APR for auto loans.”  “As a result,” Bradford said,   “lending skyrocketed!”
In fact, lending increased to such a level at UCFCU, that three different national publications for the credit union industry, interviewed the staff and published stories concerning the success of the local credit union. 
UCFCU has attracted national attention. Two separate stories were published in the Credit Union Journal in November and December and recently, Creditunions.com also published an article concerning the impressive loan growth, low delinquency, and a teamwork strategy that encourages the staff to work across departmental lines for the good of the membership. 
The Crossville-based credit union is being recognized for its outstanding loan growth and very low loan delinquency. One report noted that UCFCU had actually saved members over $220,000 in loan interest charges (between January – October) by moving their loan balances to the UCFCU.
“Many people in our community continue to work to lower their debts to no more than one or two loan payments.” CEO Denise Cooper reported. “These factors have resulted in millions of dollars being transferred from other financial institutions to Upper Cumberland Federal Credit Union.  One reason people have transferred their loans to our credit union, is they are looking for the cheapest loan rate possible, so they can pay off debts at a faster pace with the goal of finally being debt free,” Cooper added.