university settlement federal credit union logo

university settlement federal credit union in New York, NY

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Not-for-profit credit union serving low-income members and employees of University Settlement and The Door in NYC with basic banking and loan services.

Data compiled from public sources

university settlement federal credit union Review

University Settlement Federal Credit Union (USFCU) was established as a member-owned financial cooperative with a mission to provide accessible financial services, particularly to low-income individuals who face barriers to traditional banking. The organization is housed and supported by University Settlement, a social service organization in New York City, though USFCU operates as an independent corporation. The credit union currently serves approximately 200 members and is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors comprised of current and former University Settlement and The Door employees.

USFCU offers standard credit union services including savings plans, checking accounts, and various loan products. Members can access these services on-site at two locations: 184 Eldridge Street and 121 6th Avenue in Manhattan. Primary membership eligibility includes employees of University Settlement and The Door organizations, their family members, and program participants.

The credit union emphasizes member financial education alongside product offerings to help members achieve long-term financial goals. What distinguishes USFCU is its explicit focus on serving low-income populations and those underserved by mainstream financial institutions. As a member-owned cooperative, the credit union's sole purpose is meeting member financial needs rather than generating profits for external shareholders.

S. Government Agency, providing regulatory oversight and deposit insurance. The volunteer board structure and non-profit status demonstrate commitment to community service.

As a very small credit union with only 200 members, USFCU has significant operational limitations compared to larger institutions. The limited membership base restricts available services and technology infrastructure. Very small credit unions often have higher operational costs per member and may offer fewer product variations or digital banking capabilities.

Prospective members should verify current service offerings and eligibility requirements directly with the organization.

Services & Features

Checking accounts
Credit union membership enrollment
Member financial education programs
NCUA deposit insurance coverage
On-site account access at 121 6th Avenue location
On-site account access at 184 Eldridge Street location
Personal loans
Savings accounts and savings plans

Feature Checklist

Mobile App
Online Portal
Score Tracking
Credit Education
Personal Advisor
Identity Theft Protection

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Member-owned cooperative structure ensures sole focus on member financial needs rather than profit maximization
  • Explicit mission to serve low-income members who face barriers accessing traditional banking services
  • Licensed and insured by NCUA, providing federal regulatory oversight and deposit protection
  • On-site physical locations at University Settlement and The Door for convenient access to members
  • Volunteer Board of Directors comprised of community members demonstrates commitment to community governance
  • Offers both savings products and loan services to support diverse member financial goals
  • Provides financial education resources to help members achieve financial success

Cons

  • Very small membership base of approximately 200 members limits service breadth and technology investment
  • Restricted membership eligibility limited to University Settlement/The Door employees, family members, and participants
  • No information provided about specific loan products, rates, terms, or eligibility requirements
  • Limited geographic presence with only two physical locations in Manhattan
  • No mention of digital banking capabilities, online services, or mobile applications

State Consumer Finance Context

This is state-level context for Credit Unions consumers in New York, NY. It does not confirm that university settlement federal credit union or this specific location is licensed.

State regulator

New York Department of Financial Services

Key state rules to check

  • Payday lending is banned; civil usury cap of 16% and criminal usury cap of 25% make it illegal.
  • The Department of Financial Services actively enforces against online payday lenders targeting NY residents.
  • Licensed lenders under the Banking Law may charge rates agreed upon for certain loan types.

Source: CreditDoc state-law summary and listed public regulator resources. Verify licensing directly with the listed state regulator before relying on a provider.

Frequently Asked Questions

What services does university settlement federal credit union offer?

university settlement federal credit union offers 8 services including Savings accounts and savings plans, Checking accounts, Personal loans, On-site account access at 184 Eldridge Street location, On-site account access at 121 6th Avenue location, and 3 more.

What profile signals are listed for university settlement federal credit union?

university settlement federal credit union has profile signals associated with Low-income individuals seeking accessible financial services and lending alternatives to traditional banks, University Settlement and The Door employees and their family members needing credit union membership, Community members in Lower East Side Manhattan seeking local, member-owned financial institutions, Individuals interested in credit unions with explicit community development and financial education missions.

What are the strengths and weaknesses of university settlement federal credit union?

Key strengths: Member-owned cooperative structure ensures sole focus on member financial needs rather than profit maximization; Explicit mission to serve low-income members who face barriers accessing traditional banking services; Licensed and insured by NCUA, providing federal regulatory oversight and deposit protection. Areas to consider: Very small membership base of approximately 200 members limits service breadth and technology investment; Restricted membership eligibility limited to University Settlement/The Door employees, family members, and participants.

How does university settlement federal credit union compare to similar companies?

In the Credit Unions category, comparable providers include Elektra Federal Credit Union, Justice Federal Credit Union Quantico, NBC (NY) Employees Federal Credit Union. Each company has different strengths, so compare services, pricing, and consumer complaint records before deciding what to do next.

Quick Facts

Headquarters
121 6th Ave, New York, NY 10013
BBB Accredited
No
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CreditDoc Profile Note

Research Note on university settlement federal credit union

USFCU is profile signals for low-income individuals and employees of University Settlement/The Door organizations seeking accessible banking and lending from a member-owned, mission-driven credit union. The main caveat is that membership is restricted to specific employee groups and participants, and the organization's very small size (200 members) limits service offerings and technological capabilities compared to larger financial institutions.

Profile Signals

  • Low-income individuals seeking accessible financial services and lending alternatives to traditional banks
  • University Settlement and The Door employees and their family members needing credit union membership
  • Community members in Lower East Side Manhattan seeking local, member-owned financial institutions
  • Individuals interested in credit unions with explicit community development and financial education missions
Updated 2026-05-08

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Quick Summary

  • university settlement federal credit union is listed as a Credit Unions provider in New York, NY on CreditDoc.
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