Our Story
The CVFCU Difference
Firefighters’ unions are an alliance of elite, service-minded heroes. Central Valley Firefighters Credit Union is a cooperative built by and for firefighters. We help take care of your day-to-day finances so you can help take care of the communities we call home.
Unlike big banks, we don’t report to shareholders. And our motivation isn’t making as much money as possible. We are a not-for-profit, owned by members, and exist solely to serve them.
Here, you’ll find a credit union where financial education is a priority, and profits get returned to you in the form of higher dividends, lower rates on loans, and fewer fees than other financial institutions.
Financial Wellbeing Starts Here
We work to maximize the financial wellness and quality of life for active and retired firefighters in the area. Those brave people who stood and still stand in harm’s way to save the lives of others.
From everyday banking to loans and mortgages, what motivates CVFCU today is helping you get ready for tomorrow.
Our History
Founded in 1935 as Fresno Fire Department Credit Union, Captain Richard “Pappy” Hicks along with 107 other Fresno City firefighters paid a fifty-cent membership fee each in order to establish a state charter.
Originally operating out of the Lieutenant’s quarters upstairs at Station 4, Captain Hicks would conduct transactions himself and occasionally travel to neighboring stations to serve new members as the credit union grew.
Over the years, our credit union’s field of membership continued expanding. While always remaining exclusive to firefighters and their families, the expansion opened services to those living and working for the fire services in Fresno, Madera, Merced, Mariposa, Kings and Tulare counties.
By the 1990s, thanks to the previous decades of growth, we were able to establish our current, permanent location at 5300 N. Fresno St. And in 2018, the credit union felt it was time for change—a new name to better reflect our regional membership: Central Valley Firefighters Credit Union.
While our credit union continues to grow, we maintain the same commitment to our members today as we did to the original 108. Both our Board of Directors and Supervisory Committee are exclusively made up of active or retired fire personnel who continue to volunteer their time to ensure the needs of others are met.
