Our Local Impact Extends Beyond Our Membership — See the Reach of Our Ripple Effect
As socially conscious leaders of Southwest and Central Virginia, we ensure that every initiative holds the promise of success for the community. We leverage our strong relationships with nonprofits, businesses, and government organizations to provide a full spectrum of services to every community member.
With over $950 million in our asset portfolio, we are able to help create opportunities in Southwest and Central Virginia.
We hold a vision of creating local economic vitality through our core impact areas: Affordable Housing, Transportation, Financial Education, Impact Banking, and Community Revitalization. Our partnerships and outside funding move us toward realizing this vision as a whole community.
Homeownership
We believe that in order to support a more vibrant community, we should work towards ensuring that more of our neighbors have access to home ownership. Our Affordable Housing Program offers extensive support and unconventional loans for those who previously thought home ownership was completely out of reach.
Last Quarter | Year to Date | |
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166 loans$35,599,239 total loans
57 First time homebuyers
78 loans to low & moderate income members
$12,948,982 total loans to low & moderate income members
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569 loans$120,669,325 total loans
172 First time homebuyers
259 loans to low & moderate income members
$43,086,327 total loans to low & moderate income members
$107,880 in down payment assistance
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An award-winning auto buying program for low- to moderate-income earners, including education classes on finances and budgeting as well as car maintenance.
Last Quarter | Year to Date | |
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14 loans$138,815 total loans
1 single parents served
1 children affected
167% Average % of poverty rate
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44 loans$438,057 total loans
9 single parents served
31 children affected
167% Average % of poverty rate
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With CUNA-certified financial coaches on staff, Freedom First helps borrowers receive financial education tailored to their individual situations. Our award-winning financial education program partners with Pathways to Financial Empowerment and GreenPath Financial Wellness to provide expanded services.
Last Quarter | Year to Date | |
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320 participants482 one-on-one coaching sessions
253 individuals
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944 participants12 classroom style settings
94 participants
1,184 one-on-one coaching sessions
658 individuals
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Our commitment to personal and financial empowerment is paramount to our success in creating economic vitality in our region. Flash Cash, Payday Relief Loans, Workforce Development Loans, and American Dreamer Loans are some ways we reach our Impact Banking members.
Freedom First deploys capital in the communities through Commercial Lending, Business & Real Estate Loans and Personal Loans.
Additional Community Give-Back
We invest in local talent and community service through an award-winning grants program and scholarships for area students. A robust, all-volunteer Board of Directors, talented management team and 200 strong employee workforce add vibrancy to the Credit Union ideals that brings alive our mission of Helping People Prosper — Helping Communities Thrive.![]() |
17,187 employee volunteer hours since 2015
17,208 units of ice cream handed out through Scoop in 2021
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Accolades & Partnerships
We are proud of the awards and recognition we have received through the years and of the many local, regional, & national organizations that we partner with. Here are a few:
Accolades
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2022 Platinum Award for Local Company on the Grow by The Roanoker
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2022 Platinum Award for Local Company that Gives Back by The Roanoker
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2022 Gold Award for Best Credit Union by The Roanoker
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2022 Gold Award for Best Regional/Locally Based Bank by The Roanoker
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2022 Silver Award for Best Employer by The Roanoker
- 2020 Best Credit Union by The Roanoke Times
- 2021 Gold Award for Best Credit Union by The Roanoker
- 2021 Silver Award for Local Company that Gives Back by The Roanoker
- Top 25 Credit Unions Using Social Media in English-Speaking Countries by The Financial Brand
- Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce: 2018 Small Business of the Year Award, Large Not-for-Profit
- Ranked #1 for the Financial Brand 2019 Q4 Power 100 Social Media Rankings
- 2018 Roanoke St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Shamrock Festival Best in Show
- Public Relations Society of America Blue Ridge: 2018 Summit Gold Award for the “Bank For Good” branding campaign
- 2018 Dora Maxwell Award for the Invest Health initiative
- 2018 Individual Affiliate of the Year for Paula Brown, SVP Mortgage at Freedom First (RVAR)
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