Although the Lakota Federal Credit Union has been opened for only four months, it already has $1.4 million in assets, 528 members, and the unique distinction of becoming the first ever federally insured financial institution to serve the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in the southwest corner of South Dakota's Black Hills region. 

Six credits unions from the Black Hills area, their employees and board members, as well as the Credit Union Association of the Dakotas and other dignitaries gathered in Kyle, S.D., last Friday to celebrate the grand opening of the newest member of the Dakota credit union family, the league said.

"It was a real pleasure to attend this special event and celebrate (just) the sixth new credit union chartered in the last six years," said Robbie Thompson, president/CEO of CUAD.  "Lakota Federal Credit Union is very much needed, and the cooperative 'people helping people' philosophy will serve this community well."