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Supporting Underserved Communities

Meeting Community Needs

Too many communities across the country lack access to affordable financial services. When quality choices aren't available, predatory lenders and high-fee check cashers often thrive. Self-Help intentionally locates branches in underserved communities, and we extend our service through mobile technology and partnerships with local groups. We also serve neighborhoods by working with community partners to transform underutilized historic buildings and vacant lots into a vibrant use.

A Few Examples

  • Self-Help Credit Union has merged with several rural NC credit unions that began by serving employees of now-defunct manufacturing plants--allowing these communities continued access to affordable financial services.
  • Through a 2014 merger with Generations Community Credit Union, Self-Help preserved and expanded services or predominantly African-American communities in eastern and central North Carolina.
  • In Florida, we have merged with a credit union in the Apopka-Pierson area that was founded by nuns to serve migrant farmworkers. In Jacksonville, we merged with Jax Metro, which has been serving local utility workers for more than 80 years with credit-building products and affordable loans.
  • In northeast Greensboro, North Carolina we restored and revitalized a historic mill property, helping spur additional investment in the area.

Behind all of these examples, there’s a story. We have launched a series of short documentaries to preserve the histories of credit unions that have joined Self-Help in recent years. Go to Stories from our Vault to meet the community leaders and ordinary people who have worked to bring greater economic opportunities to underserved areas.

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