1^st Cooperative's office in Cayce is set to reopen to members on Monday, August 2.

The credit union ceased in-person transactions in March 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the staff never missed a beat as they served members over the phone and through the credit union's website and app.

"We felt with the increasing vaccination rates and the decreasing COVID-19 cases, the first Monday in August will be the right time to resume normal operations," said Chief Operating Officer Ashley Beach Reid. "We can't wait to see our members, and I can't wait to finally meet them in person." Beach Reid joined the credit union staff last month following the retirement of Jo Ann Burnside.

Pictured: Karen Keisler, 1^st Cooperative member services representative, will welcome members back to the Cayce office on August 2.

When it's time to get a new car, Didi Loadholt knows exactly where to turn — 1^st Cooperative. Didi's now in her fourth vehicle financed with the help of her credit union.

"1^st Cooperative has been my go-to for auto loans for the past eight years or so," said Didi. "Every time I need help, Loan Officer John Middleton has been there to answer my questions and help me every step of the way."

Didi, whose son Zeb Blocker works at Coastal Electric Cooperative, has been a member of the credit union since 2016.

Co-op employees, trustees and their families are eligible for membership in the credit union. To get your family members signed up, just like Didi's son did, get started here.

Pictured: Didi Loadholt with her 2007 Chevy Suburban financed through 1st Cooperative.

With more than 700 fee-free ATMs in South Carolina alone — and more than 5,000 nationwide — members should never have to pay a surcharge to get their money from an ATM.

"We're part of one of the best ATM networks in the country," said credit union COO Ashley Beach Reid. "As its name implies, the CO-OP Financial Services network is a cooperative, too, and we credit unions and electric cooperatives love our co-op relationships."

The ATMs can be found at retailers like 7-Eleven, Circle K, Costco and Publix, along with dozens of other credit unions across the state, as the map shows. To locate one near you, visit CO-OPatm.org. There's an app for that, too, in your app store.