WESTBROOK – When the first International Credit Union Day was celebrated in Maine in 1949, the Maine Credit Union movement totaled 11 credit unions, less than 7,000 members and a little more than $1 million in assets. Now, 55 years later, Maine is the fifth strongest credit union state in the country.

As Credit Union Day is celebrated today, more than 47 percent of all Maine residents belong to a credit union (surpassing 600,000 members for the first time), and assets of the state’s 77 affiliated credit unions amount to $3.5 billion, according to the Maine Credit Union League.

Credit unions around the state are celebrating the day and Credit Union Week with giveaways, food and special activities.