Neighborhood Trust Federal Credit Union (NTFCU) was founded in 1997 with a mission to serve the underserved communities of Upper Manhattan in New York. The organization is structured as a non-profit financial cooperative regulated by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) and certified as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. NTFCU was the first credit union in the United States to receive Juntos Avanzamos accreditation in 2017, reflecting its deep commitment to the Latino community and financial inclusion.
NTFCU offers a comprehensive range of financial products and services including savings and checking accounts, certificates of deposit (CDs), personal loans, small business loans, credit cards, home loans, auto loans, and free tax preparation. The credit union provides online and mobile banking through their digital platform and accepts ITIN numbers for personal and business loans, making financial services accessible to individuals regardless of immigration status. Members can also access Zelle for money transfers and add their credit cards to digital wallets.
What distinguishes NTFCU is its explicit commitment to financial inclusion and community development. As a democratically-owned cooperative, all members have shareholder rights and can be elected to the Board of Directors. The institution provides financial education programs, scholarship opportunities, and a financial wellness program alongside competitive loan rates. The leadership team includes executives with deep community ties, and the board comprises community leaders and financial professionals dedicated to the credit union's mission.
As a smaller, community-focused credit union rather than a large bank, NTFCU may have more limited branch locations and services compared to major financial institutions. However, for individuals specifically seeking to work with a mission-driven organization that prioritizes underserved communities and provides bilingual services in Upper Manhattan, this represents a meaningful alternative to traditional banking. Many banks offer installment loans with fixed monthly payments.