More than 60 years after its founding to serve employees of an auto body maker, April 4 marked the debut of Auto Body Credit Union's new name: Astera Credit Union.

The Lansing, Mich.-based credit union said the transition is the culmination of nearly a year's worth of meetings, planning and development. As the new moniker makes its debut, Astera is not forgetting its roots, according to Jeff Croff, vice president of marketing.

“While the name may change, our commitment to providing the best financial solutions for the working men and women of mid-Michigan remain the same,” Croff said.

Sixty-two years ago, the credit union formed as workers lost their homes, cars and furnishings to their lenders during a work stoppage at Fisher Auto Body, according to the Astera website. One worker, John Tome, contacted the president of UAW Local 602 to help organize a credit union, which was chartered Jan. 8, 1949 as Lansing Fisher Federal Credit Union.

The cooperative underwent several name changes over the years including Lansing Fisher Employees Federal Credit Union, Auto-Body Employees Federal Credit Union, Auto Body Federal Credit Union and finally becoming state-chartered Auto Body Credit Union before its new name, Astera.

The $150 million credit union serves more than 23,000 members.