People.
Passion.
Purpose.

About Smart Financial

Smart Financial is a full-service, financial institution that focuses on people, not profits. Our staff is united in its passion to provide superior service and the financial tools to help you get ahead in life. Our purpose is to give back to the community while helping valuable member-owners like you with your financial needs.

Our Mission

Promote financial well-being within our communities by providing financial education and developing deep, lifelong relationships with our members, teammates, and community partners.

Our History

Established in 1934, Smart Financial today boasts 14 branches located across the greater Houston region with over 70,000 members. Our newest branch in Pearland opening the spring of 2022 with a new branch at the Grand Parkway and 2920 coming on-line in 2023. We are federally insured by NCUA and we are an Equal Housing Lender. We are available to members worldwide, via the web, seven days a week, twenty-four hours a day.

View our timeline

1932

How we started

Mr. R.C. Roebuck, President of the Houston Principals Association, distributed a report to his membership of a committee, which had been appointed by his predecessor, Mr. Jake R. Waters, to study and report on a new idea called a "Credit Union". The report indicated a great deal of evidence that an organization like the credit union was greatly needed and recommended strongly that one be organized among the Houston School personnel.
1934

Houston Public School Teachers Credit Union

Ten eligible people proceeded to take the action, which marked the beginning of the "Houston Public School Teachers Credit Union". These ten people paid their share of five dollars each, and voted to proceed to apply for a Charter. The Charter was approved November 19, 1934.
1937

Early Beginnings

The first office for the Credit Union was provided in room #117 at Sam Houston High School.
1963

The joining of the Credit Union’s 10,000th member was celebrated.
1970

The Conroe branch is opened.
1975

The Credit Union changed its name to "Houston Area Teachers Credit Union".
1976

MasterCard and Visa products were offered to membership.
1987

FLASHLINE, the automated 24- hour touch-tone service was offered.
1988

The Credit Union changed its name to "First Educators Credit Union".
1990

A remote drive-in facility, located on South Wayside Drive was opened.
1991

The Telephone Service Center was opened, to provide member service by phone.
1992

First Educators Credit Union reached 100 million in assets and 42,000 members.
1994

A full-service office was opened in North Houston at FM 1960. First Educators Credit Union participated in the opening of a shared branch facility in Southwest Houston. Houston Community College (HCC) faculty and students were added to the field of membership.
1995

The second shared branch opens in the Northwest area of Houston.
1996

The Kingwood office opens. First Advantage Financial Services, a wholly-owned subsidiary of FECU, formed as a Credit Union Service Organization (CUSO).
1997

The third shared branch opens in Southeast Houston. First Educators Credit Union opens the Woodlands office.
1999

Merger with Houston Area Central Credit Union. North Loop Office was opened. Expansion of Wayside Drive-in into a full-service facility. Renovation of Newcastle Lobby to better serve members.
2000

Virtual Branch, PC account access via the Internet, is offered to members. FECU reaches $200 million in assets.
2003

New menu-based FlashLine system activated in both English and Spanish. Kingwood Office relocates to 1120 Kingwood Drive with a two-lane Drive-In and Drive-up ATM.
2004

The Credit Union changed its name to Smart Financial Credit Union. Field of Membership changed to community status and includes Harris and Montgomery Counties. First Advantage Financial Services changes its name to Smart Financial Resources. Conroe Office relocates to 3201 West Davis.
2005

Smart Financial Credit Union reaches $300 million in assets.
2007

Business Services first offered. Gulfton Outlet begins serving members at 5608 Gulfton.
2008

North Loop Office relocated to 1900 North Loop West with two-lane drive-thru and drive-up ATM. SFCU completes merger with Key Federal Credit Union, increasing total assets to $392 million, branches/outlets to 17, and number of members to over 80,000.
2015

CEO Gary Tuma retires after long successful tenure of unprecedented growth and Larry Seidl is named CEO.
2016

Smart Financial becomes the naming rights sponsor of a new concert venue Smart Financial Centre in Sugar Land, Texas.
2020

New Woodlands Branch Opens.
2021

New Pearland Branch Opens.
2022

CEO Larry Seidl retires.
2022

LeAnn Kaczynski named CEO.

Board of Directors

Each year in April, the membership has an opportunity to vote for board candidates that will best represent the membership to sit on the Smart Financial Credit Union Board of Directors. The Board of Directors functions as a voice for members to guide the Credit Union in the best interests of the members.

Board of Directors Fees

The Board of Directors are compensated for their time according to the below schedule:

Director Fees paid in 2023 were $70,500; and $81,000 is scheduled (budgeted) for 2024.

Board Member	Position
Mr. Chad G. Greer	Chair
Ms. Tammie Moore	Vice Chair
Mr. Timothy Raffield	Secretary
Ms. Diana Carrion	Treasurer
Mr. Michael O’Neill	Director
Mr. Larry Frazier	Director
Mr. Michael Childers	Director
Mr. Jeffrey Hamlin	Director
Dr. Robert Bostic	Director

Executive Management Team

As Executives of Smart Financial, our team works to ensure that our members receive the quality service they deserve and expect, whether it's through our digital channels or at our branches. These individuals focus on our daily operations and guide Smart Financial Credit Union's direction.

Ms. LeAnn Kaczynski	President and Chief Executive Officer
Ms. Angela Chan	Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Mr. Brian Ziemba	Chief Credit Officer
Mr. Corbin Wilson	Chief Experience Officer
Mr. Julio Roman	Chief Risk Officer
Mr. Marcus Manning	Chief Information Officer
Mr. Sean Price	Chief Lending Officer
Mr. Chris Conway	Chief Operations Officer