Ranked #1 in PA by Callahan and Associates for Return to the Member amongst asset size peers. Serving 13 Counties in NW PA with branches located in Clarion, Brookville, Cranberry (Venango Co.), Butler and Hermitage. On February 6, 1940, nine employees of the Owens-Illinois Glass Plant in Clarion, acting as incorporators, signed the organization certificate of the Clarion Onized Federal Credit Union. The certificate was duly notarized and sent to The Farm Credit Administration in Washington, D.C. The approval was granted on February 20, 1940 and charter number 3655 was assigned. On February 21, 1940, an interested group of members assembled in the Ross Memorial Library to organize the Credit Union. From this small group, a credit union to serve the needs of the Owens-Illinois employees was formed. In 1972, the Credit Union began extending membership opportunities to those who worked at other area businesses. In 1985, a merger with Gateway Knox FCU in Marienville was approved by the National Credit Union Administration. The original office of the Credit Union was located in the lower level of the Owens-Illinois Glass Plant Clubhouse. A branch was eventually built on Wood Street, just down the street from the Owens-Illinois plant. In the Summer of 2009, the Board of Directors decided that it was time to expand the Credit Union’s physical presence once again as it had outgrown the Wood Street office. This led to the construction and opening of the modern-day Clarion location at 144 Holiday Inn Road. Construction was completed in June 2010. On March 19, 2010, the Credit Union became known as “Clarion Federal Credit Union” a name that reflected an ever-growing commitment to community-wide service. In 2022, the Credit Union expanded from 4 counties to 13 counties in Northwestern PA. On August 1, 2022, Clarion Federal Credit Union officially changed its name to Top Tier Federal Credit Union, reflecting the Credit Union’s strategic goal to modernize, expand and offer top tier service to its credit union members. In November of 2023, the Butler Branch of Top Tier Federal Credit Union opened. In August of 2024, the former Klingensmith’s Healthcare Building in Clarion was purchased for future expansion. Lauer,”The expansion is not just about needing more space. It’s a testament to Top Tier’s commitment to exceeding member expectations and cementing its status as a leading financial institution in the region.”
On October 16th, the Hermitage Branch opened as Top Tier’s fifth branch location. From an original nucleus of nine members; from $100 in assets; from part-time help; from the corner of somebody’s desk or lathe, over the course of more than eighty-five years, what was once a simple convenience for a singular employee group has matured into a community mainstay. Factors in the accomplishment of the Credit Union’s growth and success have been the work of many dedicated volunteers, the Board of Directors, the staff and the Credit Union’s members. Federally Insured by NCUA • Equal Housing Lender • NMLS ID # 449233
