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Become a Member

Home > About > Become a Member

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Become a Member

When you bank with GenFed Financial Credit Union, you’re more than an account holder – you’re a member! As a member-owned, full-service financial institution, our sole purpose is to serve our members better. We do that by offering outstanding low loan rates, top investment rates, low fees and specialized services.

It’s free to join! Become a GenFed Financial Credit Union member today to take advantage of our exclusive services.  Use our Switch Kit to easily move your account from another financial institution.

Switch Kit

Eligibility

GenFed membership is open to anyone who resides, works, attends school, volunteers or worships in the following areas:

  • Lorain County, Ohio
  • Summit County, Ohio
  • Erie County, Ohio
  • Medina County, Ohio
  • Williams County, Ohio
  • Paulding County, Ohio
  • Marion County, Illinois
  • Jefferson County, Illinois
  • Clinton County, Illinois

You can also become a member if you reside, work, attend school or worship in these areas:

  • Cuyahoga County, Ohio
  • Portage County, Ohio
  • Defiance County, Ohio
  • Shelby County, Indiana (reside or work only)

Once you’re a member, your immediate family members are eligible for GenFed membership! Plus GenFed membership is good for life, even if you or your family members relocate out of our membership area.

You may also be eligible if you or your immediate family work for one of the select employee groups we have traditionally served. To check your eligibility, please visit a branch.

How to Join

Becoming a GenFed member is easy! To get started, simply open a Traditional Savings account with GenFed.

Open an Account

Important Information about Procedures For Opening A New Account

To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, Federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person who opens an account. When you open an account, we will ask for your name, address, date of birth, and other information that will allow us to identify you. We may also ask to see your driver’s license or other identifying documents.

Business

If you’re a business owner, both you and your employees can benefit from GenFed membership!

There is no charge to offer GenFed membership to your employees. Your employees will benefit from access to more affordable loans, checking accounts with fewer fees, higher yields on savings and investment accounts, personal service, and free financial education and counseling.

To open a business account, you may need the following documents:

  • Driver’s license or ID for each account signer/owner
  • Trade name certificate
  • Tax information: personal TIN, IRS tax determination letter, EIN for organization/group
  • Documentation of membership to national charter (includes EIN)
  • Proof group exists (such as minutes, roster, etc., partnership agreement, certificate of limited partnership, SOS certificate of good standing, articles of organization, etc.)

Visit a branch to learn more!

5 Reasons to Join

Almost 80 percent of global banking customers are dissatisfied with their banks, according to a recent survey by FIS Global. So, if you’re fed up with your bank and ready to make a change, you’re not alone.

Recent reports indicate the banking industry as a whole suffers from a profit-hungry culture that often overlooks the needs of the customer. Instead of moving from one bank to another, consider switching to a credit union.  Here are five reasons why you’ll be glad you did.

1. Credit unions are not-for-profit

Rather than answering to outside shareholders seeking increasingly higher returns on their investments, credit unions answer to their member owners, referred to as customers in the banking world. That means net earnings aren’t paid to shareholders as dividends; they are reinvested in the credit union and often applied in the form of lower loan rates, higher savings rates, and reduced fees. 

Since profits are not the driving ambition of credit unions, staff members aren’t expected to sell products consumers don’t want or need.  Instead, credit union staff are asked to match products and services to member needs and adhere to the highest ethical standards.

2. Your money is safe

Many people don’t realize the money they deposit at a credit union receives the same protections as the funds deposited at a bank. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) provides insurance for bank deposits, while American Share Insurance provides insurance for GenFed deposits.

In addition, just like banks, credit unions are regularly evaluated and rated by private agencies.  We operate well above regulatory requirements.

3. Thousands of free ATMs

Although most credit unions operate locally or regionally, the spirit of cooperation is a common theme among credit unions.

Unlike banks, many credit unions share ATMs and branches. For instance, if you have an account at GenFed, you have access to nearly 170,000 free ATMs operated by credit unions across the country. You also have access to more than 5,000 shared credit union branches nationwide where you can conduct most transactions with no fees or hassles.  The spirit of cooperation creates the convenience of a big bank while retaining the personalized service of a local credit union – truly the best of both worlds in one relationship.

4. Better rates

Overall, credit unions offer higher savings rates, lower loan rates, and have fewer and lower fees when compared to banks. 

According to a study by Informa Research Services, credit unions have lower average rates on credit cards, auto loans, personal loans, and home equity lines of credit.  In addition, credit unions have higher average return rates on personal savings, checking, money market, and 1-year certificate accounts.  This can be attributed to credit unions being not-for-profit and investing their profits into providing market-leading rates and exceptional service experiences.

5. Neighborly service

Unlike big banks with locations in many cities and states, most credit unions operate in a specific geographic area with close ties to their community. Credit unions are invested in the neighborhoods they serve. World-class, friendly service helps build trust and confidence with consumers.  A recent study by Financial Trust Index measuring the percentage of consumers who trust their financial institution ranks credit unions at the very top, versus big banks, which were ranked at the bottom. 

If you’ve been thinking about an alternative to costly big banks, now is the time to try something better.  We offer the ethical, customer-focused service you’re looking for.