GBCA Staff Information

1st Bergen is Greater Bergen’s Credit Union

Our mission is to support financial wellness and sustainable development in the communities we serve.

This page is to provide you with information about joining 1st Bergen and receiving workplace benefits. If you have any questions, please email membersupport@1stbergen.com or call (201) 968-0202 during regular business hours.

Benefits of Joining 1st Bergen

  • Automatic Early Pay — your paycheck is available as soon as it is processed, typically by 4:30pm on the Thursday before payday, excluding weeks where holidays may affect the payroll schedule.

  • Flexible Savings — Transfer between your savings and checking accounts as frequently as you need.

  • Loan Discounts — GBCA employees are the first to know about upcoming loan discount specials. GBCA employees may also qualify for reduced rates on vehicle and personal loans. It is easy to apply online. Please use “GBCA” as a promo code to be considered for employee-specific promotions.

  • No Monthly Fees or Minimum Balances

  • Automatic Eligibility for the Future Dream Matched Savings Program — See the Future Dream page for up to date information.

  • $50 Deposit Bonus for Community Solar Enrollments — nonmembers must receive a virtual gift card.

  • Credit Report Review and Financial Coaching at no cost to GBCA employees or the people you serve. See our Financial Wellness services for more info.

How to Join 1st Bergen:

You can join 1st Bergen online by submitting an online application. You will at least two forms of unexipired ID, one of which must have your photo and one of which must have your current address. Acceptable combinations of ID might include:

  • Your driver’s license and social security card

  • Your GBCA photo ID, Social Security Card, and Utility Bill showing your address

  • Your passport, the front of a debit card issued by another bank, and a Utility Bill showing your address

The final step to setting up your membership is purchasing your refundable $5.00 share, which can be done in branch or by setting up Direct Deposit.

How to Set Up Direct Deposit

  1. Once your membership has been finalized, you will receive your five-digit Member Number.

  2. In ADP, register your 1st Bergen account by adding a Checking and/or Savings Account.

    • Your Member ID is your Account Number. Your account number is the same for both savings and checking accounts.

    • The Routing Number is 021283916

  3. Ten-month employees are encouraged to balance their pay using a 1st Bergen Teacher’s Club. You simply need to add an additional account to ADP:

    • Add a new account and select “Savings Account”

    • Add your Member ID as the account number and add 65 to the end (e.g. 12345-65)

    • We recommend setting this account to receive 23% of your pay. This amount is based on saving enough to cover the paychecks you do not have over the summer. You can set this amount to any savings goal you prefer.

    • Ensure you have at least one other account set to receive “Remainder of my Pay”, such as your 1st Bergen checking account.

    • 1st Bergen staff will finalize the account setup, and you are set to earn a higher interest rate as you save for the summer. Withdrawals can be requested for free between June 15th and September 1st. Other withdrawals will incur a $10.00 fee.

Information for Jersey City & Paterson employees

We understand that it is difficult to it may be difficult to reach our Hackensack branch from your worksites.

In the last several years, we have made significant investments in our online banking systems to make banking possible from anywhere, including new access to external account transfers and Zelle. Our staff can be reached during the day at membersupport@1stbergen.com to assist you in accessing these online systems.

We have also enabled access to the Allpoint+ Network of Deposit ATMs, allowing you to make cash deposits at several popular retailers around the state, including Target and Walgreens.

Finally, by banking at a small institution, our Member Services Representatives get to know your specific needs. If there are challenges or necessary flexibility required to take advantage of banking at 1st Bergen, we will work with you to find a personalized solution as needed.