Invested in your success.

Cooperative Center Federal Credit Union was chartered April 20, 1942 to serve the employees and members of the Consumers Cooperative of Berkeley, Inc. (Co-op Market Chain). We continue to serve members from our original group.

During the 1980s, several other credit unions in the area, two of which were Cal Berkeley Credit Union and Alta Bates Credit Union, merged with Cooperative Center. These two, along with our original Co-op Markets, continue to make up our largest field of membership.

We have continued to expand our membership base by accepting qualified private companies, organizations, and associations from the area, and continue to bring in other groups. This careful expansion has helped build a uniquely diversified membership around the stable core or original members.

Today, Cooperative Center has over $130 million in assets and over 7,500 members.

Certified as a Minority Depository and Community Development Financial Institution, Cooperative Center Federal Credit Union continues to cultivate the seeds of inclusiveness sown by Cooperative Center's first General Manager, Zach Brown.

"Zach Brown's whole life was in cooperatives. He was the co-op spirit of the Credit Union for years, and really was committed to helping people." - Matt Crawford

As an offshoot of Consumers' Cooperative of Berkeley Inc., Cooperative Center FCU's roots are intertwined with those of the communities we serve. Whether it's responding to the thorny issues of the '60s and '70s (redlining) by creating home loan programs, or combating today's predatory lending practices (payday loans) by offering emergency cash infusion loans; partnering with schools and non-profits to develop financial literacy, i.e., Community  Financial Resources (CFR), and credit-builder loan programs. 

For more information on joining Cooperative Center FCU, see how you can become a member.

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Key Dates in Cooperative Center FCU's History

1942: Cooperative Center Federal Credit Union is chartered.

1943 (approximately): Maudelle Shirek, an African-American woman who would later become known as the "Conscience of Berkeley City Council," became the credit union's second full-time employee. From the credit union's very beginning, Cooperative Center FCU displayed leadership in social, economic, and civil right's issues as demonstrated, in part, by its hiring practices.

1953: Zach Brown is hired; "I found the Credit Union, which was being run by the Berkeley Co-Op on a very part-time basis, wasn't really providing adequate services to members, so I convinced the board to hire me to develop the Cooperative Center Federal Credit Union."

1959: Matt Crawford applies and is hired, at Zach Brown's encouragement, as Cooperative Center FCU's first African-American Loan Officer. A former food clerk then assistant manager for Consumers' Cooperative of Berkeley, Matt's involvement both as a member then board member of the credit union begins shortly after its inception, "I was attracted to the Co-Op initially as the type of organization that I believed would serve people in the community as a main objective."

1961: Cooperative Center FCU begins offering financial counseling services. This, free of charge, member benefit was the first of its kind in California. The '60s saw a change in social mores regarding debt and credit resulting in individuals suddenly finding themselves over-extended. Along with counseling services, the credit union utilized debt consolidation programs and direct payments to creditors for those members facing financial difficulties.

1962: Zach Brown is instrumental in establishing Twin Pines Savings and Loan in response to the practice of "redlining" a discriminatory practice which contributed to the lack of access to mortgage loans for prospective minority, primarily African-American, homebuyers. When asked about the difficulty minorities faced in securing home loans during this time (redlining), Matt Crawford replied, ["Redlining was common in Berkeley, as elsewhere...Brown took leadership in seeking to establish a savings and loan to provide mortgage loans..."]

1988 - Today: When the Co-op Grocery Stores began closing, the decision was made to expand the credit union's field of membership by converting the charter from a Single Common Bond (Co-op Grocery Store employees and members) to Multiple Common Bond (varied employers and associational groups). Since that time the credit union has added over 129 "Select Employer" and Associational Groups including labor unions, non-profit employers, housing associations, professional and business associations, Parent Teacher Associations, and most recently, the Network of Bay Area Cooperatives.

Along the way Cooperative Center FCU also assisted with other credit unions seeking merger partners or requesting assistance through the acquisition process. The following credit unions completed mergers with Cooperative Center FCU, providing their existing members with uninterrupted credit union service and creating eligibility for the groups that fell within their charters.

Key Mergers:

  • 1986: Shaklee CU
  • 1990: Cal Berkeley FCU
  • 1991: Alta Bates FCU

Certifications and Designations

2010: Community Development Financial Institution

2016: Certified Minority Depository Institution

Our Mission, Vision, and Bylaws 

Our Mission

As a member-owned and governed financial institution, we are committed to providing quality services and education in a caring, responsible, professional manner, while maintaining long-term financial strength. 

Our Vision

To be a financially sustainable, community-rooted financial institution that enhances the financial well-being of our members through accessible, affordable and unbaised products and services. To contribute to the financial empowerment people of color, historically underserved populations, individuals of modest means who may be credit challenged, and those in low to moderate income brackets.

To build long-lasting member relationships by educating our members on the value and benefits of using their credit union as their primary financial institution, actively demonstrating respect and empathy, and carrying out our business interactions with the highest levels of integrity, ethics and honesty

To provide consumer lending, including innovative credit building products, and financial empowerment to individuals, business owners, or aspiring business owners, to improve their credit, financial literacy, and preparedness to pursue business financing. Further, to support these members by acting as a bridge to business financial resources such other Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), government economic development offices, and business incubators.

To serve members struggling with the high costs of housing by providing financial empowerment resources, including but not limited to making loans to members seeking to become homeowners, to retain ownership of their homes, or become members in resident-led cooperative housing.

Our Bylaws

See the Cooperative Center FCU Official Bylaws (PDF)PDF.

Our Seven Cooperative Principles

Please enjoy this brief video describing Cooperative Center FCU's 7 Guiding Principles — or read more about them here. 

Voluntary & Open Membership:

Open for membership to all who qualify under our Federal Charter No. 04900

Democratic Member Control:

Members participate in the democratic election of a Board of Directors whose function is to create policies and make decisions for the good of the entire membership.

Member Economic Participation:

We encourage our members to make us their primary financial institution. When members participate in the cooperative financial model, the entire credit union membership individually and collectively benefits through competitive loan and share rates and lower fees for services.

Autonomy & Independence:

We operate for the benefit of the members, not for outside shareholders.

Education, Training & Information:

We provide financial literacy and money management education free and available to all.

Cooperation Among Cooperatives:

We actively support full cooperation among cooperative financial institutions. Credit unions are more than just financial institutions. We are a movement.

Concern for Community:

Cooperative Center FCU is a contributing corporate citizen. Building sustainable community wealth is at the heart of our mission.

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