NILES — The conversion of First Choice Community Credit Union into Hilliard-based Credit Union of Ohio is complete, a seamless move for First Choice members.

“We tried to keep things as simple as possible for everyone, whether it was for the staff or the membership,” said Jill Gerschutz, vice president of marketing for Credit Union of Ohio. “For us, what we felt was very important, especially now during the pandemic, was to provide them with additional resources.”

The new resources were technology enhancements, including a new mobile app that offers remote check deposits and text alerts.

Other new services include a credit card, home equity loans and free financial coaching to help people improve their credit scores, Gerschutz said.

The conversion was complete Nov. 1. Credit Union of Ohio used the Oct. 31 weekend to import First Choice members into the system. Each member with a debit card was issued a new card; about 85 percent have been activated, Gerschutz said.

The addition of First Choice gives Credit Union of Ohio five locations. The others are its headquarters in Hilliard near Columbus, in Grove City near Columbus, in downtown Columbus and at Ohio State University.

It has about 23,000 members with the addition of the 5,000 or so who belong to the former First Choice, and has $175 million in assets.

Credit Union of Ohio formed in 1967 as the State Employees Credit Union to serve employees of Ohio. It changed to Credit Union of Ohio in 2003 to reflect a more diverse membership, according to its website.

“Having this branch now in Niles was such a great announcement,” said Gerschutz, adding it gives the more than 300 members who are state employees a physical location to visit.