Since an Illinois regulator issued a cease and desist order lastmonth to shut down the 1^st Provision Credit Union, thesupposed cooperative no longer has a site posted on the web thoughits Facebook page was still operating as of Thursday.

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulationdetermined the organization could not legally operate as a credit unionbecause it does not have a federal or state charter.

Though the state regulator confirmed the credit union's site isno longer operating, it did not comment on the credit union'sFacebook page that features photos of “team members” giving thethumbs up and donating blood, member comments, promotions and ahome equity ad.

The credit union posted its address in Ottawa, Ill., about 83miles southwest of Chicago. However, its street address is anapartment building. Wilmont Momo is listed as the registrant,administrative and technical contact for the credit union'swebsite, 1stpcu.com, according to Whois.com, which lists websitedomain information.

When contacted by email, Momo said he does not own or operatethe website.

“We are a web design business/website reseller,” Momo wrote inan email message to CU Times Thursday. “Wepurchased domains and websites in whatever name the website'sowners wants it in. After designing or purchasing a client'swebsite, we turn it over to them and they're responsible forwhatever they do with it.”

Momo also said he did not have the names of the people who hiredhim and that they contacted him through Facebook.

On its website, 1^st Provision Credit Union claimed itwas founded in 1998. However, on its Facebook page, theorganization posted a picture in November 2016 of an unidentifiedman cutting a cake celebrating the credit union's 36^thanniversary.

According to Whois.com, the website address was registered onNovember 18, 2016.

1^st Provision CU also claimed on its website that ithas 60 staff members, offers 20 services and serves 25,000customers.

In addition, the credit union states that it is insured by theNCUA and is an equal housing lender.

The NCUA said it has no relationship with 1^stProvision CU.