For 75 years, Piedmont Advantage Credit Union has strived to be more than a place for members to bank and transact. Instead, we strive to be more about people and relationships. It's a sense of belonging.
On July 2, 1940, due to the vision of Aviator Tom Davis, Piedmont Aviation was incorporated in Winston-Salem, NC, for the purpose of buying and selling airplanes, parts and accessories, gasoline, oil and equipment of all kinds; and giving instruction in aeronautics. Over the years, Piedmont Aviation provided much needed jobs for servicemen and women after the war.
Within eight years, in January 1948, Piedmont Aviation added a new division, Piedmont Airlines; and within a month on February 20, 1948, Piedmont Airlines held its inaugural flight from Wilmington to Southern Pines, an hour to the west. Within a year, the number of employees grew; and the need for a credit union was recognized to help employees establish savings and secure affordable credit.
On December 10, 1949, Piedmont Aviation Credit Union was formed and began providing small loans and savings accounts to Piedmont Aviation and Piedmont Airlines employees. The credit union grew rapidly along with the airline industry, because both the credit union and airline industry had created a sense of belonging.
Over the years, the credit union became known as Piedmont Advantage to reflect our growing membership. With access to over 5,000 branches within the credit union network and 35,000 surcharge-free ATMs, membership is open to individuals, who reside, work, worship attend school or operate a business in one of the six counties we serve in North Carolina or who are employed by one of our many employer companies. These six counties are Davie, Forsyth, Guilford, Iredell, Mecklenburg and Rockingham.
