Since 1974 the Federation has represented, supported and invested in credit unions that serve financially underserved communities. We have developed unique expertise and brought innovation to expand access to affordable and equitable financial services. The Federation is a resource for the entire credit union system and welcomes any credit union interested in serving untapped markets with tremendous growth potential.
If you're interested in serviing low- and moderate-income communities, there's a place for you at the Federation!
On this page:
Membership Categories
For credit unions wishing to join us, the Federation offers three types of membership:
(Click on the green links for additional information about each membership type)
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Policy Members - Credit unions that serve predominantly low-income communities -- whether "low-income-designated" by NCUA or not -- are eligible to join as policy members. These credit unions have full access to all Federation capital products, technical and educational services, and more, as well as voting rights to determine Federation policies. The Federation's policy members number more than 230 credit unions in 46 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Our membership has doubled over the last decade. Our membership includes credit unions of every size and description - urban, rural and reservation-based, faith-based and community-wide, some with a few hundred thousand dollars in assets, others with over a billion.
Policy members enjoy access to a broad range of programs and services. Each year, we invest millions of dollars in CDCUs, provide hundreds of hours of free consultations, offer low-cost training, work for regulatory changes, and much more. Credit unions that serve predominantly low-income communities - whether "low-income-designated" by NCUA or not - are eligible to join as policy members. These credit unions have full access to all Federation capital products, technical and educational services, and more, as well as voting rights to determine Federation policies.
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Community Development Partners - This category is for credit unions that do not serve a majority of low-income members but that are strongly committed to serving underserved groups. Many of the largest, most prominent credit unions in the country are in this category (including Navy Federal CU and State Employees' CU of North Carolina).
Community Development Partners get free first-year tuition to the CDCU Institute™, financial literacy train-the-trainer seminars at no charge, consulting services (CU Breakthrough), technical support in establishing innovative programs like Individual Development Accounts (IDA), assistance in developing collaborations with CDCUs and community-based organizations, preferred rates for all Federation conferences, educational events, and publications, recognition in the Federation’s publications and website. CDPs may also access the Federation's non-conforming, affordable mortgage secondary market (CDCU Secondary Market).
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Community Development Supporters - Non-credit union organizations and individuals are also welcome to join as Communty Development Supporters. Our Community Development Supporters include credit unions, credit union leagues, credit union organizing groups, social investors, industry professionals, and others.
In addition to helping the Federation to promote and strengthen the CDCU movement, our Community Development Supporters also enjoy discounts on Federation seminars, training events, publications, and consulting services
Learn more about our programs and services, download our membership brochure by clicking here.
Why Join the Federation?
See what our members have to say:
"Of all the costs of keeping the credit union running - from software and hardware maintenance on our core processing system to rent, the check we cut for our Federation membership is the most important check we cut each year!
Of course it's the services they provide, from their community development investments to the HUD Credit Union Counseling program to operating the CDCU Institute™. But it's much more than that; it is the knowledge that we aren't in this alone. When we've come to a time where I'm afraid to read a "Special Bulletin" e-mail because I'm assuming it's more bad news, and our members are struggling like never before, you've got our back!
The Federation's dues are the best investment we make every year!"
Ed Jacob, Past President/CEO
North Side Community FCU (Chicago, IL)
Questions and Comments
Still have questions about the benefits of Federation membership? Contact Pablo DeFilippi, Director of Membership, at: pablo@cdcu.coop or (800) 437-8711 x304.
Apply Now!
Credit Unions interested in joining the Federation, click here.
Non-credit union organizations, non-profits, vendors, and individuals, click here.
