ROSEVILLE, Mich. — Since forming in 1950 as a credit union for the local Catholic parish, Christian Financial Credit Union discovered an unexpected niche with members that own small businesses.

Over the past 20 years, the $204 million credit union has built a loyal commercial lending following, securing loans for commercial mortgages, trucks, inventory and equipment. When Christian Financial expanded to community and multi-select employee group charters, the demand for business loans and services grew even more.

In addition to serving more than 250 SEGs, churches, local businesses, and residents in four counties, the credit union was able to grow its commercial loan portfolio to $26 million with another $6 million in the pipeline, said Patty Campbell, executive vice president and chief operating officer at Christian Financial. While the $26 million may not be considered large by some standards, the credit union had been forced to put on the lending brakes because it had reached the 12.25% member business lending cap.