History of the ABOT
Federal Credit Union
Before the
inception of this credit union, it was difficult, if not impossible, for blind
and visually impaired Oklahomans and their families to borrow money or find a
financial institution where they could invest their money to prepare for a
brighter future. On
The Credit
Union has enjoyed a long partnership with the Oklahoma League for the Blind,
with the League providing free space and utilities. In its infancy, the Credit Union’s home at
the League was located in the Merchandise Mart Building located at 25 N.W.
The field
of membership has always included employees of the Oklahoma League for the
Blind and their families, members of the Oklahoma Council of the Blind and
their families, employees of Visual Services within the Department of
Rehabilitation Services and their families and staff and students at the
Dr. C. B.
Minner, then the Executive Director of the Oklahoma League for the Blind,
served as the Credit Union’s first President.
During its early years, Linnie Swink, secretary of the Oklahoma League
for the Blind, managed credit union affairs.
Later the Manager’s salary was jointly paid by the League and the Credit
Union, with the Credit Union gradually assuming full-time support. Ms. Swink capably managed the Credit Union
for 25 years and she has been succeeded by five or six highly qualified and
trained managers who continued to serve a broadening field of membership. Sometime around 1992 the Credit Union’s name
was changed to the Associated Blind of Oklahoma/Texas Federal Credit Union with
the inclusion of the American Council of the Blind of Texas.