Founded on October 21, 1937, toward the end of the Great Depression, Houston Police Credit Union was created by Houston Law Enforcement to establish a financial institution owned and operated by the local police force—a financial cooperative. Their mission was to provide reasonably priced loans and a safe place for life savings for Houston Police Department employees and their families.
The credit union had 14 charter members and was initially a meager operation. When a member-owner wanted to apply for a loan, an appointed Law Enforcement officer would take the paperwork in his squad car to the member-owner and then return the forms to the credit union, which was originally a small office in HPD’s Property Room. Alex Laux was the first approved loan. The loan limit was $25.00. In 1966, with over 2,150 member-owners and $2.5 million in total assets, the credit union grew large enough to warrant moving out of HPD headquarters and into a separate building. Located at 1600 Memorial Drive, it is still in use as the main branch today.
Membership, assets, and product and service offerings have continued to increase over the years. In 1993, we opened our second branch location in Willowbrook to serve our members in the North Houston area. With a board of directors comprised of HPD executives and officers, the credit union has remained relevant to its member-owners’ lives, even adapting the drive-up at the main branch to accommodate various official vehicles including SWAT trucks and helicopters. In 1999 we continued to strengthen this relationship by adding our third branch at 1200 Travis located within HPD headquarters.
In 2024, HPCU recognized the opportunity to live its mission of providing exceptional service For Those who Serve TM by expanding the field of membership to include more law enforcement agencies. With this extension of services, Houston Police Credit Union will care for our members’ financial future and the financial future of other officers in the same way we have always cared – a sound and secure credit union that offers competitive rates, financial benefits and premier customer service. It is HPCU’s goal to grow together and become stronger by including our brothers and sisters who serve.
As of 2025, the credit union has three locations serving Law Enforcement staff, employees, and their families across the Houston Metropolitan Statistical Area. Membership has grown to over 32,600, and assets have reached over $989 million. From serving academy recruits with equipment loans to retirement savings and planning, our credit union has become a vital part of our member-owners’ lives through every stage of their career. In 2026, we will be relocating our Willowbrook Branch to our new Northpointe location in late July.