WECU Credit Union, Inc. Office Manager Teresa Adams led Director of Commerce Donna Owens and Superintendent of Financial Institutions Curtis Stitt on a tour of the state-chartered credit union this afternoon. During the tour, Adams and Director Owens discussed the importance of credit unions to Ohio's consumers.

Today's event was held in conjunction with Governor George V. Voinovich's regional cabinet day in Newark. As a part of the day's activities, Director Owens also donated computers to Briggs High School in Columbus on behalf of the Department of Commerce and presented volunteer fire department grants to three Fairfield County fire departments.

As Director of the Ohio Department of Commerce, Owens oversees the Division of Financial Institutions which charters and regulates Ohio's 310 state-chartered credit unions. These institutions hold more than $5.9 billion in assets.

"Credit unions, such as WECU Credit Union, Inc., provide important financial services to thousands of Ohio consumers. They are an important component in Ohio's economy," Director Owens said.

WECU Credit Union holds assets of $13 million. It serves the employees of Nestle R & D Center in Marysville as well as 30 other organizations.

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The Ohio Department of Commerce’s Division of Financial Institutions regulates financial institutions chartered in Ohio. The superintendent serves as chief executive officer of the division and three deputy superintendents oversee the sections of Banks, Savings and Loans/Savings Banks, and Credit Unions. These sections are responsible for all examination, supervision and regulation activities of each specific industry. In addition to financial institutions, Commerce also regulates securities, industrial compliance, fire codes, unclaimed funds, and real estate, among other industries. On July 1, 1997, the former Department of Liquor Control joined the Department of Commerce as the Division of Liquor Control.