CU name change spurred by trademark holder's request

GOSHEN, Ind. (8/6/08)--Elkhart County Farm Bureau CU has changed its name to Interra CU. The change, effective Monday, was spurred by a request from a group holding the trademark to the words "farm bureau."

The Goshen, Ind.-based credit union made the change as a result of a request from the American Farm Bureau Federation. The federation owns the trademark to the words "farm bureau" and the acronym "FB." The group had asked the credit union to change the name last summer, the credit union said in a press release.

The "In" in the new name represents Indiana and "terra" means land, said the credit union. "We wanted a name that spoke to the area and our members," said Jack Sheets, president.

Credit union members were notified of the process late last year and after a week-long voting process, approved the new name by a 96% majority in March.

A committee of board members, management, staff and members chose the new name after considering more than 100 options and working with a professional naming firm.

"We feel Interra honors the credit union's roots in the agricultural community," Sheets said. "At the same time, it allows us to move forward and create the best credit union for our members and potential members in the future."

As part of the transition, the $455 million asset credit union introduced a new website, interracu.com, and expanded its hours of service.

Several smaller credit unions with "Farm Bureau" in their name exist in various states. They include: Arkansas Farm Bureau FCU, Little Rock; Farm Bureau Family FCU, Lansing, Mich.; Hoosier Farm Bureau CU, Indianapolis; Louisiana Farm Bureau CU, Baton Rouge, La.; and Texas Farm Bureau FCU, Waco, Texas. The largest has $12.7 million in assets.