Watch this trailer with clips from several documentaries in our vault.
Beginning with a Volkswagen Beetle and a bake sale, Self-Help has developed a lot of history since we started in 1980. But in recent years, our history has gotten even bigger. Since 2004, we’ve merged with more than 20 banks and credit unions around the country.
Our merged family members each come to us with their own unique stories. Many were started by groups such as farmworkers, employers, blue-collar workers, people of color and people of faith. They served manufacturing and hospital workers, teachers, African Americans, immigrants and others in low-income or rural communities.
As these financial institutions join the Self-Help family, much is gained as we can serve more people and expand economic opportunity in a wider area. But, over time, their unique histories could be lost. Thus, we are preserving their stories in a series of short documentaries.
Click on the photos below or use the drop-down navigation to check out the legacy stories of the credit unions and banks that have become part of the Self-Help family over the years.
There are more to come, so be sure to check back with us by keeping in touch on Facebook, following us on Twitter, or signing up for our e-Newsletter.
Cape Fear Employees Credit Union
The story of Cape Fear Employees Credit Union reflects the strong role women played in building NC credit unions.
Carolina Family Credit Union
When DuPont came to Kinston, opportunities expanded for domestic workers, farmers, veterans and many others who are our members today.
Choice Federal Credit Union
Choice Federal Credit Union, established to serve the world’s largest textile company, has always kept a strong family spirit.
Community Trust Federal Credit Union
Beginning in the 1970s, four determined nuns started performing miracles in central Florida. The miracles continue today.
DuPont Employees Credit Union
The history of a credit union formed by DuPont employees in Brevard, NC is part of a remarkable legacy of community support and trust.
Firestone Credit Union
In 1975, Firestone employees organized a credit union in Wilson, NC that evolved into the first credit union to merge with Self-Help.
First Legacy Community Credit Union
Starting in a school principal’s basement, First Legacy Community CU in Charlotte grew to be the largest Black-owned credit union in NC.
Jacksonville Utilities Employees Credit Union
Formed in 1935 by utility workers in Jacksonville, FL, this credit union is all about people helping people.
Kern Central Credit Union
Renowned activist Dolores Huerta is among those who tell the story of a credit union founded to serve refinery and farm workers in California’s south Central Valley.
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Mare Island FCU
Mare Island Federal Credit Union was founded in 1936, during the inter-war period to serve the ship builders of Mare Island.
People's Federal Credit Union
People’s Community Partnership Federal CU was founded in 2000 to promote economic empowerment and bring financial access and opportunity to Oakland’s low-income neighborhoods.
Scotland Credit Association
The history of a credit union in rural Scotland County, NC that began by serving textile workers and today continues expanding economic opportunities in the wider community.
Seaway Bank
Seaway Bank flourished between 1965 and 2017, rising to become the largest Black-owned bank in America.
Second Federal S&L
Since 1882, immigrants in Chicago’s Little Village have relied on Second Federal in good times and in crisis.
St. Luke Credit Union
In 1944, economic empowerment for African Americans in rural North Carolina often meant community self-reliance. In one corner of Bertie County, NC, that self-reliance gave rise to St. Luke Credit Union.
United Savings FCU
United Savings Federal Credit Union joined the Self-Help family in 2010, bringing a long history of serving steel workers and members in Pittsburg, CA.
United Services Credit Union
United Services Credit Union has a rich history of helping members across Western North Carolina.