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Who We Are
Freedom First Credit Union

Who We Are

Who We Are
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Branded Star Mark

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OUR MISSION

Helping People Prosper — Helping Communities Thrive

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OUR PROMISE

Most banks evaluate their worth by how much money they keep.
At Freedom First, we measure our value by how much we give back.

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OUR COMMITMENT

As a member-owned cooperative and Community Development Financial Institution, we want to help create a more inclusive society in which all people, regardless of color, are treated with dignity and respect and afforded equal opportunities.

Freedom First is proud to join our fellow members of the Credit Union Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (CU DEI) Collective in pledging to commit to positive change. We believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion are fundamental to a vibrant, relevant, and growing Credit Union Movement. Read the full joint pledge on the CU DEI Collective website. United with the Credit Union community, we stand together with the Black community against racism and its impacts.

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WHAT WE DO

Freedom First provides a wide range of banking services for people and businesses in the Roanoke, New River, and Shenandoah Valleys as well as throughout Central and Southwest Virginia. What sets us apart is that our shareholders are our members — which means that we put your interests first. That means fewer fees, better interest rates, and quality local service. We are headquartered locally, led by a volunteer Board of Directors representing our community, and we invest in our community through our Impact Banking programs. That's why you can rest assured that when you bank with us, your money stays here — where it matters. We are truly the place where people bank for good.


Red heart icon.Our Team
More than 250 people who embody our mission as they live, work, play, and serve in Virginia’s Valley Region. Freedom First staff, management, and all-volunteer board are dedicated to helping their fellow members prosper and helping their communities thrive.
Red shield icon.Safety & Soundness Guarantee
The National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), a U.S. Government Agency, insures your deposits up to $250,000 with the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund (NCUSIF).
ATM & Branch Red map locator icon.Locations
With locations across the Roanoke and New River Valley, access to thousands of surcharge-free ATMs nationwide, and state-of-the-art online and mobile banking, our members enjoy convenient banking anytime, anywhere.

Our Member Area

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 open an account today.

Freedom First's member service area map



Albemarle County
Parts of Campbell County Montgomery County
Alleghany County
Parts of Charlotte County Nelson County
Amherst County Charlottesville City Parts of Patrick County
Appomattox County Covington City Pulaski County
Augusta County Craig County Radford City
Bath County Floyd County Roanoke City
Bedford County Franklin County Roanoke County
Bland County Giles County Rockbridge County
Botetourt County Highland County Salem City
Buckingham County Lexington City Staunton City
Buena Vista City Lynchburg City Waynesboro City




The Credit Union Difference

Credit unions are not-for-profit — so their number one concern is helping the people they serve. But the benefits of credit unions don't stop there.

Fewer fees, great rates, and local decision-making on loans are just a few of the ways being part of Freedom First benefits our members every day.

Check out how we've given back to our community with our nationally recognized grants program, our academic scholarships, and some of our Impact Banking products and services.

More than 57,000 people who live and work in Central and Southwest Virginia enjoy the benefits of membership every time they stop in a branch, log in to online banking, and use one of the thousands of free ATMs in our nationwide network.


Our 2022 Community Impact Report Tells Our History of Giving Back to Central & Southwest Virginia. Click to read the report.


View a full listing of our Products and Services:

Looking for a phone number, address, or other basic info?

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FEDERALLY INSURED

The National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) is the independent agency that administers the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund (NCUSIF). Like the FDIC's Deposit Insurance Fund, the NCUSIF is a federal insurance fund backed by the full faith and credit of the United States government. The NCUSIF insures member savings in federally insured credit unions, which account for about 98 percent of all credit unions in the United States - including Freedom First. The NCUSIF covers the balance of each member’s account, dollar-for-dollar up to $250,000, including principal and posted dividends through the date of the failure. 

The NCUA's Share Insurance Estimator lets consumers, credit unions, and their members know how its share insurance rules apply to member share accounts—what's insured and what portion (if any) exceeds coverage limits.

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OUR PURPOSE

Freedom First is a member-owned, democratically operated, not-for-profit organization managed by a volunteer board of directors, with the specified mission of meeting the credit and savings needs of consumers, especially persons of modest means. The purpose of this Credit Union is to promote thrift among its members by affording them an opportunity to accumulate their savings and to create for them a source of credit for provident, business, or productive purposes.

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CDFI DESIGNATION

What is a CDFI, and how are they different from most big banks? CDFI stands for Community Development Financial Institution, and it is a special designation from the U.S. Treasury. This designation ensures that we put the community first by serving people who cannot access services at most banks, all while fostering economic growth by financing the local businesses you know and love.
Read more on our accessibility statement
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