AppleTree Credit union was organized and chartered in June 1935 as Kearney & Trecker Employees Credit Union. It served the employees and families of Kearney & Trecker Corporation (KT), a machine tool manufacturer located in West Allis. The corporation was family-owned and known for its apprenticeship program and quality product. Although employment levels in the machine tool industry fluctuate, KT was a thriving, growing organization. Cooperation between KT and the credit union was good. The credit union was housed on company property, and some costs to operate the credit union were borne by the company.

In 1976, the credit union, then known as KT Credit Union, built a free-standing building approximately one mile from the company. At the same time, KTCU began to broaden its field of membership eligibility to include employees of companies located within a short distance of their new office. New employer groups included the Wisconsin Credit Union League, Fruehauf Corporation, Cummins-Wisconsin and Hugh Ayers Company. Most of these companies were small, with employment under fifty. 

Recognizing the need for less dependence on one or two employee groups, in 1979, KTCU added West Allis Memorial Hospital to the growing list of select employer groups (SEGs). During this same period, checking accounts and money market savings were added. In 1984, the credit union’s name was changed to AppleTree Credit Union to reflect the diversification of the membership. 

Over the years, ATCU absorbed (merged) several smaller credit unions, including: Greyhound CU, Inryco CU, Milwaukee Psychiatric Employees CU, Milwaukee Teachers CU, La Cooperative CU, Golden Guernsey Employees CU, Waukesha Bearings CU, Waukesha Motor Employees CU (which included the addition of a new, Waukesha location), Waukesha Foundry Employees CU, Covenant Healthcare CU, St. Francis Hospital Employees CU, Interstate CU, Wisconsin Lutheran HS Conference CU and Cleaver-Brooks CU. 

Rated 5 Stars by Bauer Financial, AppleTree Credit Union continues to be financially strong and dedicated to serving you by consistently offering Better Rates and Uncomplicated Service.