 |
 Our History...
The field of membership of St. John United FCU was originally composed of members and families of St. John Baptist Church and then was expanded to serve low income communities throughout the City of Buffalo. Within the last two decades, the credit union’s field of membership has been expanded to also include community based organizations that also serve members in low income
communities.
In 1992, the Community Action Organization of Erie County, Inc., (CAO), merged with the St. John United FCU. This allowed the credit union to expand its
field of membership into additional low income areas. In 1996, the credit union was designated a ‘Low Income Credit Union’ thus qualifying
as a Community Development Credit Union. It received three AmeriCorp Vista Volunteer grants. Through the efforts of the Vista Volunteers two programs were
developed; the Individual Development Account (IDA) and a Micro-Enterprise Program which is planned for implementation later in 2006.
Since the turn of the century, the field of membership was expanded to include employees of 78 Restoration Corporation (SERC) and the Buffalo Urban League.
Other credit union members include members of the St. John Tower Tenants Council, Gethsemane Baptist Church, True Bethel Baptist Church and the Black Chamber
of Commerce of Western New York, Inc. Also, plans are in progress to merge with another faith-based credit union in the Buffalo area.
In the year, 2003, the credit union celebrated its’ 30th Year Anniversary and since its inception, the organization has granted over 2300 loans totaling
in access of $4,000,000.00. There are additional programs offered by the credit union ranging from youth savings programs to a matching grant program that
encourages low income persons to establish and maintain a share account. Also, it coordinates financial education workshops with local banks for its members
and the community-at-large.
Unique to this 30 year plus operation is the fact that there is no full time staff to carry-out daily credit union operations; it is a totally volunteer
effort. |
|
|
 |
