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Check Out Our Member Stories

Supporting small businesses nationwide

Read More
Read Our Annual Report

See the numbers of how we supported our communities

Learn More
Invest in What We Do

Connect with our team to see how you can be a part of the mission

Reach Out

Video Histories

Self-Help’s family history: Stories from our vault

Since our founding in 1980, Self-Help has grown significantly — largely through mergers with other community credit unions. It has been an honor to welcome these institutions and their rich histories into the Self-Help family.

Our merged family members each come to us with their own unique stories. Many were started by groups such as farmworkers, employers, blue-collar workers, people of color and people of faith. They served manufacturing and hospital workers, teachers, African Americans, and immigrants in low-income or rural communities.

As these financial institutions join the Self-Help family, much is gained as we serve more people and expand economic opportunity across a wider area. But, over time, we don't want their unique histories to be forgotten. Thus, we preserve each of their stories through short documentaries.

Explore the videos below — and enjoy!

Cape Fear Employees Credit Union

Cape Fear Employees Credit Union was founded in Leland, North Carolina, in 1978. Its history reflects the strong role women played in building North Carolina credit unions.

Carolina Family Credit Union

When the chemical company DuPont came to Kinston, North Carolina, it changed the economic landscape for workers, farmers, veterans, and many others in the region. Some of those early DuPont plant workers came together in 1975 to form a credit union, which later become Carolina Family Credit Union.

Choice Federal Credit Union

Choice Federal Credit Union in Greensboro, North Carolina, was established to serve workers at the world's largest textile company. The credit union went through many changes over the years, but always kept a strong family spirit.

Community Trust Credit Union - Modesto, California

The Tri Valley Growers Credit Union, later known as Community Trust Credit Union, has a long history of serving the food processing and farmworker community of Modesto, California.

Community Trust Federal Credit Union - Apopka, Florida

With the start of Community Trust Federal Credit Union in Apopka, Florida, farmworkers and other low-income families had a safe place to keep money and an affordable way to save for the future.

DuPont Employees Credit Union

The history of a credit union formed by DuPont employees in Brevard, North Carolina, is part of a remarkable legacy of community support and trust.

Firestone Credit Union

In 1975, Firestone employees organized a credit union in Wilson, North Carolina. It eventually evolved into a larger organization serving many families across the community.  Firestone was Self-Help's first merger partner.

First Legacy Community Credit Union

Starting in a school principal's basement, First Legacy Community Credit Union in Charlotte grew to be the largest Black-owned credit union in North Carolina.

Jacksonville Utilities Employees Credit Union

Formed in 1935 by utility workers in Jacksonville, Florida, this credit union is all about people helping people.

Kern Central Credit Union

Renowned activist Dolores Huerta is among those who tell the story of a credit union founded to serve refinery and farm workers in California's South Central Valley.

Lower Valley Credit Union

Lower Valley Credit Union was founded in 1958 in the basement of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Lower Yakima Valley, Washington, to support underserved farm, labor, and seasonal employees.

Mare Island Federal Credit Union

Mare Island Federal Credit Union was founded in 1936 during the interwar period to serve the ship builders of Mare Island, California.

People's Federal Credit Union

People's Community Partnership Federal Credit Union was founded in 2000 to promote economic empowerment and bring financial access and opportunity to low-income neighborhoods in Oakland, California.

Scotland Credit Association

The story of a credit union in rural Scotland County, NC, that began by serving textile workers and expanded economic opportunities in the wider community.

Seaway Bank

Chicago's Seaway Bank flourished between 1965 and 2017, rising to become the largest Black-owned bank in America.

Second Federal Savings & Loan

Founded in 1882, immigrants in Chicago's Little Village came to rely on Second Federal in good times and in times of crisis.

St. Luke Credit Union

In 1944, economic empowerment for Black Americans in rural North Carolina often meant community self-reliance. In one corner of Bertie County, NC, that self-reliance gave rise to St. Luke Credit Union.

United Savings Federal Credit Union

United Savings Federal Credit Union joined the Self-Help family in 2010, bringing a long history of serving steel workers and community members in Pittsburg, CA.

United Services Credit Union

Beginning as an institution for hospital employees, United Services Credit Union has a rich history of helping members across Western North Carolina.