History and Commitment

First Citizens' Federal Credit Union was originally organized as Bristol Credit Union on November 17, 1937, as a state chartered community credit union serving employees and/or residents of Bristol County, Massachusetts. The name was changed to Citizens' Credit Union during a charter expansion that extended the credit union's allowed field of membership to include the Massachusetts counties of Bristol, Plymouth, Barnstable, Dukes, Nantucket and Norfolk. In 1987, the credit union's state charter was converted to a federal charter. At the same time, the credit union deposits became federally insured. A new name was chosen, First Citizens' Federal Credit Union, which remains today.

During the past seventy years, the credit union has expanded in both size and locations. First Citizens' has grown from a $200,000 institution in 1950 to a $400 million plus institution today. The first branch office was opened in the north end of New Bedford in May of 1978, and a second branch soon followed in Taunton. A third branch opened in the south end of New Bedford in 1987. Then the credit union experienced expansive growth in 1993. The Taunton branch was relocated to new and larger quarters in Raynham off Rte 44 and, as the result of a merger, Cape Cod Women's Credit Union brought First Citizens' two more branches, in Hyannis and Orleans. In 1998, the seventh branch office opened for business in Falmouth. In 2000, the credit union took on a new venture by opening in the Shaw's' Supermarket in Taunton. The eighth branch, and first to be open 7 days a week. In September 2004, the South branch relocated to the Shaw's Supermarket on Cove Rd, in New Bedford. In January 2007, this same branch moved into the Inner Bay Building on Cove Rd with 2 drive-up windows including a Drive-up ATM.

First Citizens' currently employs over 125 full and part-time employees who stand ready to serve the financial needs of our nearly 40,000 Members at all of our locations and beyond.

First Citizens' also reaches beyond traditional financial services with its' unique and innovative First@Work™ - Credit Union in the Workplace Program. Employers offer this program to their employees as part of their employee benefit package, in effect, essentially establishing their own company credit unions with little or no administrative responsibilities. Presently, the First@Work™ - Credit Union in the Workplace Program has brought benefit and convenience directly to the doors of over 365 Southeastern Massachusetts and Cape & Islands companies.

In April 2004, First Citizens' opened First Citizens' Insurance at 570 North Front Street in the North Branch. All lines of personal and commercial insurance are available to current and prospective members.

The introduction of new and innovative products over the years has had a significant impact on the growth of the credit union. First Citizens' offers a complete line of financial -services: Checking and Savings accounts; Term Certificates; IRA's; Mortgages; Home Equity loans; Auto and Personal loans; Overdraft Line of Credit; ATM/VISA ® Check cards; VISA ® Credit cards; and Direct Deposit; along with ATM access and Point of Sale access in supermarkets and stores. In February of 2005, the credit union began offering Commercial Lending and Deposit services. Members can also visit our Cyber Branch on the Internet, at www.firstcitizens.org - where they can securely apply for a Mortgage or Loan; open an Account Online; check our rates; and access their accounts 24/7- with Free Online Banking with Free Bill Pay and eStatements, Our Direct Access Account Information and Rate Center at 800-991-4296 is also available. First Citizens' is committed to continually assisting our Members in reaching their financial goals with the very BEST in personal service, innovative financial products and state-of-the-art technology.