What is the difference between a credit union and a bank?
Banks generate profits and financial returns for investors and stockholders who may or may not be a part of the community. Credit unions are not-for-profit and aim to serve their membership, who are the shareholders. That means when you bank with Freedom First, you have partial ownership of the credit union. Any extra money is put back into the credit union to give members better rates and lower fees. Learn more about the credit union difference from America's Credit Unions.
Why should I choose a credit union?
Since a credit union is a member-owned cooperative, when you bank with Freedom First, your voice matters. Our members elect our volunteer Board of Directors to represent their interests. Instead of generating profits for outside investors, credit union profits are put into the community you live in, into better rates/lower fees for members, and into technology that makes doing business with us easier.
Can anyone join Freedom First Credit Union?
Yes, as long as you live, work, worship, go to school, or regularly do business in our service area. You may also be eligible if you are the immediate family member of someone who already banks with Freedom First.
Why do you call it a membership?
By law, credit unions are required to have a defined field of membership, and only members may access the credit union’s services. Freedom First’s charter is community-based. We invite any person, business, or legal entity who lives, works (or regularly conducts business in), worships, or attends school in our service area to join.
Why do I need to open a share account when I join?
Your share account represents your ownership in the credit union. In order to join Freedom First, each member opens a primary share account. It functions as a typical savings account, and will earn dividends based on the current rates. Your $5 deposit represents your purchase of a share of the credit union. Should you decide at some point to close all of your accounts, the $5 will be returned to you.
Your share account represents your ownership in the credit union. In order to join Freedom First, each member opens a primary share account. It functions as a typical savings account, and will earn dividends based on the current rates. Your $5 deposit represents your purchase of a share of the credit union. Should you decide at some point to close all of your accounts, the $5 will be returned to you.
Can my family member join Freedom First?
Yes, an immediate family member may join the credit union, regardless of where they live, if you already bank with Freedom First.
Yes, an immediate family member may join the credit union, regardless of where they live, if you already bank with Freedom First.
Do I lose membership in Freedom First if I move away from your service area?
No, once you are a member of Freedom First, your membership continues regardless of where you reside. However, if you close all of your accounts with Freedom First, you must meet the eligibility requirements in order to become a member again. For example, if an immediate family member banks with Freedom First, you may still be eligible to rejoin.
No, once you are a member of Freedom First, your membership continues regardless of where you reside. However, if you close all of your accounts with Freedom First, you must meet the eligibility requirements in order to become a member again. For example, if an immediate family member banks with Freedom First, you may still be eligible to rejoin.
Is Freedom First available in Roanoke?
Yes, Freedom First is available in Roanoke, Lynchburg, the New River Valley, and many surrounding cities/counties.
What areas does Freedom First serve?
Freedom First serves many cities and counties throughout Central & Southwest Virginia. Interested in joining? See our full service area here!
Which Virginia cities and counties qualify me for membership?
As long as you live, work, worship, go to school, or regularly do business in one of the following Virginia cities or counties, you are eligible to bank with Freedom First:
- Albemarle County
- Alleghany County
- Amherst County
- Appomattox County
- Augusta County
- Bath County
- Bedford County
- Bland County
- Botetourt County
- Buckingham County
- Buena Vista City
- Campbell County (select areas)
- Charlotte County (select areas)
- Charlottesville City
- Covington City
- Craig County
- Floyd County
- Franklin County
- Giles County
- Highland County
- Lexington City
- Lynchburg City
- Montgomery County
- Nelson County
- Patrick County (select areas)
- Pulaski County
- Radford City
- Roanoke City
- Roanoke County
- Rockbridge County
- Salem City
- Staunton City
- Waynesboro City
Not sure if you qualify? Find our service area map here.
Where are Freedom First branch locations?
You can find branch and ATM locations here.
What is my member number?
Your member number is a 13 digit number, and is a way for the Credit Union to identify you and your accounts.
Your member number is a 13 digit number, and is a way for the Credit Union to identify you and your accounts.
How do I find out what my member number is?
Your member number should have been written on the wallet card and provided to you when you opened your account. If you have misplaced or did not receive your wallet card, you can find your member number on your monthly statements (paper or electronic), at the bottom of your checks, or from within Online Banking. You can also get your member number by visiting a branch. For security reasons, member numbers are not given over the phone.
Your member number should have been written on the wallet card and provided to you when you opened your account. If you have misplaced or did not receive your wallet card, you can find your member number on your monthly statements (paper or electronic), at the bottom of your checks, or from within Online Banking. You can also get your member number by visiting a branch. For security reasons, member numbers are not given over the phone.
What is Freedom First’s routing number?
The Freedom First routing number is 251483023.
The Freedom First routing number is 251483023.
If I am a member, how much does it cost to cash a check?
Check cashing fees only apply in certain conditions for members. Contact us if you'd like a copy of our consumer fee schedule for the current Check Cashing Fee and when it applies.
Check cashing fees only apply in certain conditions for members. Contact us if you'd like a copy of our consumer fee schedule for the current Check Cashing Fee and when it applies.
If I am a member, is there a teller transaction fee?
There is no teller transaction fee.
There is no teller transaction fee.
How do I get a cashier’s check?
Cashier’s checks, also referred to as official checks, are available in all branches during lobby hours for a fee. Official checks and money orders are not distributed in the drive-thru. For more information about this fee, you can contact us anytime.
Cashier’s checks, also referred to as official checks, are available in all branches during lobby hours for a fee. Official checks and money orders are not distributed in the drive-thru. For more information about this fee, you can contact us anytime.
Do you have safety deposit boxes?
Yes, we offer safety deposit boxes at the Salem branch. Annual fees are based on the size of the box. Please see a personal banker or call our Contact Center at 540-389-0244 (local) / 866-389-0244 (toll-free) for details.
Yes, we offer safety deposit boxes at the Salem branch. Annual fees are based on the size of the box. Please see a personal banker or call our Contact Center at 540-389-0244 (local) / 866-389-0244 (toll-free) for details.
Do you have traveler’s checks?
No, we do not offer traveler’s checks.
No, we do not offer traveler’s checks.
Do you offer telephone banking?
Yes, members may conduct simple banking transactions over the phone at any time by calling the Contact Center at 540-389-0244 (local) / 866-389-0244 (toll-free) and speaking with our virtual voice assistant, Ginny. If you need additional assistance with your transaction, she will route you to the first available banker.
Yes, members may conduct simple banking transactions over the phone at any time by calling the Contact Center at 540-389-0244 (local) / 866-389-0244 (toll-free) and speaking with our virtual voice assistant, Ginny. If you need additional assistance with your transaction, she will route you to the first available banker.
Do you offer online banking?
Yes, members can access all of their accounts via online banking. You may enroll in Online Banking by visiting a branch convenient to you or calling our Contact Center at 540-389-0244 (local) / 866-389-0244 (toll-free).
Yes, members can access all of their accounts via online banking. You may enroll in Online Banking by visiting a branch convenient to you or calling our Contact Center at 540-389-0244 (local) / 866-389-0244 (toll-free).
Do you offer mobile banking?
Yes, members can access all of their account via our mobile banking apps. The FFCU Mobile app is available in both the Apple® and Google Play® stores.
Yes, members can access all of their account via our mobile banking apps. The FFCU Mobile app is available in both the Apple® and Google Play® stores.
Do you have other member benefits?
Yes, members can access the additional following benefits:
Yes, members can access the additional following benefits:
- Free notary services are available at each branch for members only. Please bring a valid photo ID and your unsigned documents. Please note that we cannot also be your witness when notarizing your signature.
- Exclusive discounts and benefits for any credit union member through www.lovemycreditunion.org.