Join our Field of Membership

Belong to Something Better

Local businesses and non-profits depend on a strong, stable team. But money stress leads to absences and burnout.

Help your people build financial wellness by partnering with a credit union that shares your values. Cooperative Federal is community-owned and dedicated to social justice.

Free Benefits

When you join the Cooperative Federal Field of Membership (FOM), your staff, volunteers and members gain access to responsive banking and education services – at no cost to them or the organization.

• Financial Education. For staff meetings, Board sessions and workshops.
• HR Onboarding. Get welcome kits to help your employees open accounts and get Direct Deposit.
• Employee Assistance. Resource referrals to help navigate financial ups and downs.

Tailored Resources

Our credit union meets people where they are to build financial stability a strong future.

• Emergency Loans to cope with setbacks.
• Free sessions with Certified Financial Counselors.
• Affordable, not-for-profit banking services to meet everyday personal needs, from checking accounts, to car loans, to first-time homeownership and so much more.

Mission Driven

Cooperative Federal fosters social equity and economic justice in Syracuse by connecting all people with capital
and banking services – especially in communities that have been unjustly excluded from wealth.

How to Join

1. Complete the Field of Membership Group Request Form, or contact us if you have any questions.
    
2. We'll use the information you provide to prepare a sample Application Letter, which you will need to paste onto your letterhead and send back to Cooperative Federal.
   • Certain organizations, including Associations, will also need to submit a Charter, Bylaws, or other organizational documents. We will let you know if we need this from you.
3. Cooperative Federal will submit your Application to the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), our federal regulatory agency.
   • Please note, all requests to join Cooperative Federal's FOM are subject to approval from our Board of Directors and the NCUA.
4. That's it! Once your Application is approved, you can start enjoying the benefits of belonging to our Field of Membership. 
   • We love to schedule Banking with Purpose Presentations for meetings with your staff, Board or members. Part financial education, part meet-and-greet, this is a great way to learn about what makes Cooperative Federal special -- and how we can help.
      
   • We will deliver Welcome Kits and other outreach materials that can be used during New Employee Onboarding, or for existing employees that may be interested in banking with Cooperative Federal. Information about opening accounts, Direct Deposit, Financial Counseling, Loans and more.
      
   • We will provide a Referral Directory to help supervisors and HR specialists connect people to services that can help them overcome barriers and access opportunities. 
      
   • You can bring Cooperative Federal in to teach Financial Education workshops on a variety of topics:

     • Understanding Credit

     • Budgeting & Goals

     • Avoiding Scams & Fraud

     • Homebuyer Readiness

     • Financial Housekeeping 

     • and more!