About Self-Help Credit Union
Self-Help is a family of two credit unions, a nonprofit loan fund, and an advocacy group. We are also a designated community development financial institution (CDFI). That means our members enjoy all the benefits of belonging to a credit union while also supporting our larger mission to expand opportunities for underserved communities.
Our mission is creating and protecting ownership and economic opportunity for all. We do this by providing responsible financial services, lending to small businesses and nonprofits, developing real estate and promoting fair financial practices. While our work benefits communities of all kinds, our focus is on those who may be underserved by conventional lenders, including people of color, women, rural residents and low-wealth families and communities.
We are a full-service credit union serving over 159,000 members online and in branches in North Carolina, South Carolina, California, Florida, Virginia, Illinois and Wisconsin. Self-Help focuses on helping low- and moderate-income consumers build wealth and prosperity by offering checking and savings accounts, term certificates at attractive rates, and fair and affordable loans. As part of our mission:
- We promote home ownership to help families build financial security.
- We offer mortgages with fair terms and reasonable rates
- We invest in neighborhoods hit hard by foreclosures
- We support commercial real estate projects that invigorate downtown areas and neighborhoods
- We promote policy solutions that encourage responsible lending and stop abusive financial practices.
- We conduct research to quantify the impact of predatory lending on American households.
- We forge Partnerships with allies, industry leaders and policymakers to implement common-sense solutions that protect families and consumers, and
- We lend to businesses and nonprofits, including:
- Small businesses that generate jobs and contribute to community wealth,
- Public charter schools,
- Child care centers and faith-based organizations,
- Nonprofits, and
- Affordable housing developments.
Self-Help Credit Union is part of the Center for Community Self-Help , a leading national community development financial institution headquartered in Durham, NC. Since 1980, Self-Help has provided over $8.5 billion in financing to over 159,000 families, individuals and businesses.
More information about Self-Help Credit Union can be found at self-help.org.