Self-Help Shares

We all know that building savings is one of the keys to financial stability, but remembering to put part of each paycheck into a savings account can feel like a chore.  Automatic savings plans are a great way to build strong savings habits without the extra effort. 

As City Executive of Self-Help Credit Union’s new Harps Mill Road branch in Raleigh, Kimberly Williams’ favorite part of her job is connecting with people in her community and working with them to meet their financial needs. Read more about how she and her colleagues are working to make an impact in the capital. 

Amanda Spain is used to advocating for herself. A nonprofit professional based in Greensboro, Amanda came to Self-Help after a lengthy search for a financial institution that would help her increase her mobility and independence with affordable financing for a wheelchair-accessible vehicle. We partnered with Amanda and the NC Assistive Technology Program on an Assistive Technology (AT) loan to finance a vehicle that fit her needs. 

Trying to fight climate change as an individual can be daunting. Actions like recycling and composting are helpful, but they often feel like a drop in the ocean. However, by choosing to partner with a financial institution committed to investing in a more sustainable planet, you can significantly amplify your impact.

 Affordable housing becomes much less affordable if the house comes with high energy costs. Self-Help recently completed renovations on four houses in eastern North Carolina, and has more under renovation now, all with a focus on energy efficiency.  

Toiya Hancock, the sole proprietor of Triad Education Development LLC, opened her educational service during a national recession and persisted through a global pandemic. Through it all, she has provided services for about 450 young students in Greensboro, NC and surrounding cities. Self-Help is honored to be her lending partner and share her story. 

James Sansom works at Self-Help to advance lending to faith-based institutions. "We lend to all faiths. It may be a church. It could be a synagogue. It could be a temple. It just depends on the market, the mission fit and the opportunity. We take a lot of pride in trying to find a way to make the loan versus trying to find reasons not to make the loan. I think that’s a real difference." 

During Black History Month and all year round, we encourage members and friends to support Black-owned enterprises. When you have a need for a product or service, do a Google search for relevant Black-owned businesses or browse one of the directories included in this post.

Self-Help’s mission and history are strongly linked to Black history, and many of the credit unions we have merged with reflect great achievements by local Black leaders. For example, Seaway, a division of Self-Help Federal Credit Union in Chicago, was once the largest Black-owned bank in the Midwest. As we celebrate Black History Month, Franja Brown, a business development director and financial coach at Seaway offers her personal thoughts.

As we expand our services and service area, Self-Help has a lot of job opportunities right now. We are seeking people with a variety of skills who are customer-focused, results-focused and excited about our mission of expanding economic opportunity for all. We have openings in all the states we serve, including places such as Greenville, SC; Jacksonville, FL; the Chicago area; and many locations in California and North Carolina. Here are five great reasons to apply for a Self-Help job.