Self-Help Federal Credit Union

Self-Help Federal Credit Union is a community development financial institution (CDFI) that operates with a mission to create and protect ownership and economic opportunity for all. The credit union focuses on serving people of color, women, rural residents, and low-wealth families and communities.

Its primary services include personal and business banking, offering a range of products such as checking and savings accounts, and affordable home and auto loans. For businesses, Self-Help Federal Credit Union provides flexible business accounts and loans, adapting international microlending models to support small businesses, which are considered crucial for community economic growth.

The institution's business model is centered on driving economic development and strengthening communities by providing essential financial services where they are often scarce. As a credit union, it is a member-owned financial cooperative, which means its earnings are returned to its members in the form of lower loan rates, higher interest on deposits, and lower fees. It operates as a non-profit and has a significant track record of providing billions of dollars in financing to families, individuals, and businesses across several states, including California, Illinois, and Florida.

Keywords: community development, financial services, credit union, personal banking, business loans, economic opportunity, underserved communities, member-owned, non-profit, microlending