"US" doesn't just describe our federal roots (we began serving Minneapolis postal employees back in 1925). It also indicates our cooperative nature, devotion to the democratic process, and desire to give back to our members and community. To us, you are what make US Federal the stable and growing financial institution we are today. In return, we offer Our Promise: Service, Value and Experience You Can TrustSM - Every Time. Through this promise, we intend to prove that we truly believe people are worth more than money.
You can if you live, work, worship, attend school, or volunteer in the Greater Twin Cities CommunitySM (Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington Counties) or in the city of Northfield or its surrounding communities -OR- if you have an immediate family member (spouse, children, siblings, parents, grandparents, stepparents, stepchildren, stepsiblings, or adoptive relationships) who is eligible.
Service is more than offering a wide array of products - from free checking to first mortgages. And it's more than delivering those products through multiple branch locations, a surcharge-free national ATM network, and mobile banking services. It's about continually improving those aspects of service in an effort to create the best banking relationship possible.
Active participation in serving the community is just as important as serving our members. Whether donating blood or providing tax-assistance through AccountAbility MN's VITA program, giving back is part of our mission. US Federal is routinely recognized as a national leader for our social responsibility and philosophy in action programs.
Adding value to membership is one of the key ways we give back to our members. In 2010, the Credit Union National Association determined US Federal provided our members direct financial benefit of over $9.6 million simply by choosing US over a local bank. Those members considered high users of USFCU products and services saved on average $2,313 during that time. We work diligently to provide you with competitive products and services that help your lifestyle and your wallet.
Aside from dollars and cents, we are committed to educating both our members and consumers alike about the uniqueness and value of credit unions. Consumer education and teaching the value of financial thrift are also ways in which we work to provide more value to each member. Every year thousands of members receive no-cost financial education and counseling.
As Minnesota's first credit union, we've seen a lot of change through the years. Since 1925, we've created a rich history of providing financial services to tens of thousands of individuals and businesses.
At US Federal, learning is just as important as experience. From Board certification in the CUNA Volunteer Achievement Programs (VAP) to BEST University certification for staff looking for additional education, our employees and board members undergo ongoing training to ensure they are knowledgeable about changes and new innovations to products and services.
Without trust, our efforts in service, value and experience simply fall short of delivering our promise to you.
Through member surveys, you tell us Trust is the most important element of our value proposition. Given that trust is earned over time, we know the importance of building a long term relationship with our members. We also know that every action, every interaction, with you is an opportunity to build that trust. Thus our greatest efforts are put forth daily to ensure we earn your trust.
There is no financial institution quite like a credit union. While we are similar to banks in the services we offer, our structure and our mission are very different. How different? See for yourself.
| SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT | |
| CREDIT UNIONS | BANKS |
|---|---|
| Not-for-profit | Profit-oriented |
| Profits return to members as lower loan rates, higher deposit rates, & lower/fewer fees | Return profits to a small group of stockholders |
| Invests directly back to members | Invests in corporate bonds or the stock market |
| Serves a specific field of membership (US Federal, for example, serves the Greater Twin Cities Community.) | Serves general public |
| Members "own" a stake in the organization | Controlled by stockholders and paid officials |
| Member service-driven | Profit-driven |
| Federally insured by NCUA | Federally insured by FDIC |
| Volunteer member-elected Board of Directors represents interests | Paid Board of Directors represents owners; customers without voting privileges |
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