About Us
Our History
In September of 1935, the Albany Firemen took a giant step in controlling their own financial future. They formed the 609th federal credit union in the United States. Of the 800 credit unions that were formed that first year, we currently are 1 of 104 still remaining. There have been over 25,000 credit unions throughout the last 80 plus years and currently there are just over 5,000 serving members at this time.
The first loan granted in November of 1935 was for $2.50. This loan was paid back at the rate of 5 cents a week. The opening of a bank account of 100 members with $400.00 shows how eager members were to support their own futures with financial stability. That stability has lasted for over 86 years. The credit union has changed over the years but its original intent of members helping members continues today. We have come a long way from the $2.50 loan to home equity loans up to $75,000.00 So has the market of loans. We loaned money from the first loan used for clothes to a loan for an airplane.
The credit union served its members for over 50 years from a firehouse. Currently we are operating out of 4 branches with our newest in Manhattan. This change has brought about stable hours and the ability of the credit union to serve our family members. From two days a week to five days a week with over 22 million in assets.
The Board of Directors is committed to service first when dealing with our members. We make this commitment with our skilled employees using individual offices to give each member total attention. The changing economics of this country to world economics has made financial institutions fall, merge, or close their doors. We believe the conundrum of economics is here to stay for a while longer. We have taken our position to be responsible for our dividends and interest rates to give the best rates as always to our members, without jeopardizing the stability of the credit union.
The ubiquitous financial market has forced the credit union out of the household loans that used to dominate our loan portfolio. We are dominated by car, truck, boat, and home equity loans, which are almost endless in value.
We have indeed changed from collecting envelopes in the firehouses for loan payments and deposits to direct deposits of paychecks and retirement payments. Our services to our members has grown but our commitment to personal attention is the foundation upon which we developed our reputation.
We are proud to be firefighters helping firefighters with their financial needs. The history of a firefighter credit union serving firefighters is something that we all can be proud of. Let the history continue.
We are the bravest
Credit Union Staff
CEO
Renee Cowan
Operations Manager
Joanne Wheaton
Office Supervisory
Katelin Barrera
Loan Officer
Tonya Frasier
Member Relations Specialist
Rich Palmer
Member Service Representative
Kristen Ryan
Manhattan Branch
Sebastian Castano, Branch Manager
Jennifer Sleiman, Member Service Representative
Uncle Sam Branch
Selena Skiba, Senior Member Service Rep
RPI Employees Branch
Katelin Barrera, Member Service Rep
Board Members
Michael R. Tobler – Chairman and Treasurer
Peter Farrell – Vice Chairman
Joseph Toomey – Second Vice Chairman
Sandi Reddman-Butcher – Secretary
Robert Darbyshire
Raymond Peasley
Mary Alice O’Brien
John Wittig
Supervisory Committee
Emily Barcia-Varno - Chair
Ron Stockman
Michael Varno
