WHAT IS A CREDIT UNION?

A credit union is a not-for-profit financial institution, whose focus is serving the financial needs of its members rather than making a profit. A credit union typically offers higher rates on savings, fewer fees, and lower rates on loans.

Unlike a bank, there are no outside stockholders. Credit unions exist exclusively to promote the financial wellbeing of their members, including those of modest means, through a system that is:

• cooperative
• member-owned (members have votes)
• volunteer directed
• not-for-profit (This helps credit unions offer competitive interest rates on deposits and loans)

Credit unions also offer extra personal service, voting rights, community involvement, a complete array of services, insured deposits, and dividends. Click here for more information about credit unions.

Click here to check out 1st Bergen FCU on NBC New York! *Note: Greater Bergen Community Action was formerly known as Bergen County Community Action Partnership.*

WHO CAN JOIN 1ST BERGEN FCU?

All credit unions have a limited field of membership.

1st Bergen’s field of membership is open to persons who live, work, worship, volunteer, attend school or conduct business in Bergen County, Paterson, or Jersey City, NJ. Immediate family of current members are also eligible to join 1st Bergen.

WHY JOIN? WE’RE A SMALL CREDIT UNION PACKED WITH BIG BENEFITS FOR YOU!

1. We’ve got your back
Our mission is to empower and strengthen individuals who may not otherwise have access to banking/financial services. You can trust us to recommend what’s best for YOU
2. Better rates
For starters, 1st Bergen is not-for-profit. That means any profit we make is reinvested into the business and benefits YOU in the form of competitive rates and typically lower fees
3. Wide selection of services, many more affordable than the average bank
We offer all the same products and services a bank does, including access to more than 43,000 SURCHARGE-FREE ATMs nationwide and totally free checking
4. Solid foundation
1st Bergen Federal Credit Union savings are federally insured up to $250,000 by the NCUA and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government. Plus, 1st Bergen is part of Greater Bergen Community Action, helping empower area people since 1967
5. You are a member/owner
with voting rights
6. Our relationship with you is just between us
We never sell data to third parties for marketing purposes; your information, including your email address, is safe with us

HOW TO JOIN

Click here for our Membership Application Account Card. Save time and fill in the blanks (if you are not sure how to answer don’t worry, our Member Service Representatives will be happy to help you). Don’t worry about your member Number just yet, you will receive that once you complete the membership process.

You can save time by completing and then printing the application form and stop by our branch at 93-95 Main Street, Hackensack (the corner of Main and Atlantic) to complete the process. Please bring your printed application and two forms of identification. We will need to see a picture ID such as your Driver’s License, County ID, Green Card or Passport and one other form of identification like a copy of your Social Security card or TIN Number.

If you are moving your accounts from another financial institution be sure to check out our EZ Account Switch Kit for helpful advice and any forms you will need to make your switch easy!

OUR STORY AND HISTORY

Great Bergen Community Action (formerly Bergen Community Action Program) empowers low-income singles, couples and families with programs and services that help them on their road to self-sustainability and a stronger future.

A GBCA Board decision was made to provide financial services to this rapidly increasing and underserved community: those with “poor” credit scores, low incomes, high debt and other challenges that may have forced them into a sub-standard financial position.
The best way to achieve this goal was to create a credit union whose charter caters to this group of potential members.

January 14, 2009:
1st Bergen received its federal charter from the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), an agency of the U.S. government. 1st Bergen is the first credit union in New Jersey in more than 21 years to receive a federal charter from the NCUA.

2010
ATM added

2011
Named a CDFI Community Development Financial Institution
Online banking added

2013
CDFI funding (from the U.S. Treasury): $300,000
Expanded services to Paterson

2014
Expanded services to Jersey City

2015
Mobile banking added
New branch at 93-95 Main Street, Hackensack

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