Cme Federal Credit Union

What Cme Federal Credit Union does

CME Federal Credit Union is a federally chartered, not-for-profit financial cooperative founded in 1935 by City of Columbus firefighters and police officers, now serving members across eight Central Ohio counties (Delaware, Fairfield, Franklin, Licking, Madison, Morrow, Pickaway, and Union). The institution operates as a community development financial institution under NCUA regulation, with earnings returned to members rather than external shareholders. Its product portfolio spans consumer deposit products (UChoose, Platinum, Premium, EZ Value Checking tiers; savings, Share/IRA certificates, HSA, youth and business accounts) and consumer lending (auto, boat/motorcycle/RV, mortgage including FHA/VA, HELOC, personal, and student loans via LendKey), plus credit cards and a Skip-A-Pay loan deferral program. The credit union also offers specialized savings products such as Ohio Homebuyer Plus (6.5% APY for five years) in partnership with the Ohio Treasurer's Office, and free credit monitoring through SavvyMoney.

Distribution is hybrid: five physical branches in Columbus (Downtown, Clintonville), Delaware, Pickerington, and Westerville; exclusive ATM placement at City of Columbus Division of Fire, Division of Police HQ, Franklin County Courthouse, Columbus Police Academy, Correctional Facility, and Franklin County Jail; a mobile banking app available on iOS and Android; phone-based Member Care; and shared branching access to 5,470 branches and 55,000 ATMs nationwide. The business model is standard credit union net interest margin — earnings on consumer loan portfolios fund member dividends via higher deposit rates, lower loan rates, and reduced fees (e.g., $5/month membership fee waivable under multiple conditions). Revenue also includes transaction-based fees (wire transfers, overdraft, Early Pay at $10/request) and interchange on card transactions.

Marketing and GTM emphasize community-led growth: organic social (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn), a financial education blog, community events (Cookies & Photos with Santa, Hearts & Heroes Holiday Food Drive, First Responders Charity Golf Outing), and partnerships with Firefighters4Kids, IAFF Local 67, FOP Capital City Lodge #9, and Apprisen for free financial counseling. CEO Brian Warner leads the institution, which has been recognized as a Best Employer in Ohio since 2019 and ranked #1 on the Forbes America's Best-In-State Credit Unions 2025 list for Ohio.

Name

Cme Federal Credit Union

Legal name

CME Federal Credit Union

Website

https://cmefcu.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1935

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

CME Federal Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial cooperative founded in 1935, originally serving Columbus first responders and now serving consumer and small business members across eight Central Ohio counties through five branches, mobile and online banking, and a network of 55,000 ATMs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Retail Banking

NAICS

Credit Unions (52213), Credit Unions (522130)

SIC

Savings Institution, Federally Chartered (6035)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Credit Unions (Retail/Consumer Focus) (FSABAEAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Bank & Credit Union Personal Loans (Unsecured Installment) (FSAKAAAL)

Keywords

• Consumer banking services
• Credit union lending
• Mortgage loans
• Auto loans financing
• Deposit account services

Headquarters

HQ city

Columbus

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Interest Income from Loans: CME generates revenue primarily through interest earned on loan products including auto loans, mortgages, home equity loans, personal loans, and credit cards. As a not-for-profit credit union, earnings are returned to members through lower loan rates and higher savings rates.
2. Membership and Service Fees: Monthly membership fee of $5 with various waivers available; fees for services including wire transfers, money orders, overdraft protection, and other banking services as outlined in the fee schedule.
3. Deposit Account Interest Spread: As a credit union, CME earns revenue from the spread between interest paid on deposits and interest charged on loans, with earnings reinvested into better rates and services for members.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

CME Federal Credit Union is a member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative that accepts deposits and originates loans for individuals and small businesses in Central Ohio. Its core offering includes tiered personal checking and savings accounts, youth, business, and HSA accounts, credit cards, and a full lending suite covering auto/boat/motorcycle/RV, mortgage, home equity, personal, and student loans, delivered through branches, online banking, and a mobile app.

Product overview

CME Federal Credit Union operates as a not-for-profit financial cooperative offering a comprehensive suite of banking products and services. The core banking platform includes multiple checking and savings account tiers (UChoose, Platinum, Premium, EZ Value Checking), youth accounts, and business accounts. Loan products span auto/boat/motorcycle/RV loans, fixed-rate and adjustable mortgages (including FHA and VA loans), home equity loans and HELOCs, credit cards, personal loans, and student loans. Digital banking is delivered through online and mobile platforms with integrated features like mobile check deposit, fund transfers, and bill pay. The credit union also offers specialized programs including Ohio Homebuyer Plus (tax-advantaged home savings), SavvyMoney credit monitoring, Skip-A-Pay loan skip service, and financial counseling through Apprisen partnership. The product ecosystem integrates with third-party services including SavvyMoney for credit monitoring, LendKey for student loans, TruStage for insurance, and AutoSmart for vehicle purchasing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CME Financial Services: A financial services company affiliated with CME Federal Credit Union, engaged in joint marketing of financial products and services.
• TruStage Insurance
• SavvyMoney
• Apprisen
• AutoSmart

Products and services

• Personal Checking Accounts Tiered checking account lineup for individual members including UChoose Checking, CME Platinum Checking, CME Premium Checking, and CME EZ Value Checking, each with differing fee structures, minimum balance requirements, and electronic-statement or direct-deposit waivers.
• Savings and Share/IRA Certificates Core savings vehicles including regular share savings, share/IRA certificates (term deposits), and Health Savings Accounts (HSA) for individual members.
• Youth Accounts Savings and checking accounts designed for young members with age-appropriate features and educational tools.
• Business Accounts Business checking and certificate accounts for small businesses in CME's Central Ohio service area, with fee structures based on balance levels and statement preferences.
• Auto, Boat, Motorcycle, and RV Loans Vehicle financing for cars, trucks, SUVs, boats, motorcycles, and recreational vehicles with competitive rates, terms up to 84 months, pre-approval options, and refinance offers as low as 4.99% APR for autos.
• Mortgage Loans Home purchase financing including fixed-rate mortgages (10-, 15-, and 30-year terms), 5/1 ARM loans, FHA loans, and VA loans with various down payment options for Central Ohio homebuyers.
• Home Equity Loans and HELOC Closed-end home equity loans with fixed rates and 10-year terms, plus Home Equity Lines of Credit (HELOC) with a 3.99% introductory APR for 12 months and variable rate thereafter based on prime rate plus margin.
• Personal Loans Unsecured personal loans, EZ Line of Credit, Consolidation Loans, and Share-Secured/Certificate-Secured Loans for various borrowing needs.
• Student Loans Private student loans and student loan refinancing options delivered through CME's partnership with the LendKey platform.
• Platinum Mastercard Credit Card CME-branded Platinum Mastercard credit card with competitive rates and fraud protection features for individual members.
• Ohio Homebuyer Plus Savings Program Tax-advantaged savings program offered in partnership with the Ohio Treasurer's Office, providing 6.5% APY for five years (up to a $100,000 contribution cap) to help Ohioans save toward a home down payment and closing costs.
• Online and Mobile Banking Digital banking platform with iOS and Android mobile apps, offering account access, fund transfers, bill pay, mobile check deposit, loan applications, ATM locator, and card management.
• Skip-A-Pay Loan Deferral Program Optional service allowing members to skip one loan payment per skip (auto, RV, boat, motorcycle, or personal loan) up to twice per 12 months for a $50 fee per skip.
• Early Pay Service Early access to paycheck funds available through online banking, mobile app, phone, or branch visit for a $10 fee per request.
• Financial Counseling through Apprisen Free one-on-one financial counseling, debt management, and educational resources delivered through the Apprisen partnership, with CME team members also serving as certified financial counselors.

Quantifiable outcome

• Earnings returned to members through better rates and lower fees as a not-for-profit cooperative
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ApprisencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerApprisen is a non-profit financial wellness organization providing free one-on-one financial counseling, debt management, and educational resources to CME members. CME team members are also certified financial counselors. Partnership provides members with additional financial wellness tools and personalized guidance.
• SavvyMoneycoreTechnology or IntegrationSavvyMoney provides free credit score monitoring, full credit reports, personalized financial insights, and debt management tools integrated directly into CME's online banking platform. Uses VantageScore 3.0 and TransUnion data.
• LendKeycoreTechnology or IntegrationLendKey provides private student loan origination and refinancing services for CME members, enabling the credit union to offer competitive student loan products through an integrated digital platform.
• Ohio Treasurer's OfficecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCME partners with the Ohio Treasurer's Office to offer Ohio Homebuyer Plus savings program, providing above-market interest rates (6.5% APY) and tax advantages to help Ohioans save for home purchases.
• City of Columbus Division of Fire, IAFF Local 67, FOP Capital City Lodge #9coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual partnership for Hearts & Heroes Holiday Food Drive to support Central Ohio families. Combines first responder community ties with credit union resources to maximize community impact.
• Firefighters4KidscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCME is an annual sponsor of Firefighters4Kids, a program founded in 1977 providing toys to families in need. CME has donated over $300,000 and countless volunteer hours to this initiative, reflecting the organization's first responder heritage.
• TruStage InsuranceminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTruStage provides insurance products specifically designed for credit union members including life, auto, home, and accidental death coverage. Backed by nearly 80 years of credit union experience.
• CME Financial ServicesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCME Financial Services provides investment planning and financial advisory services to members through an experienced team of advisors, helping members construct personalized financial plans for short, mid, and long-term goals.
• AutoSmart (CUDL AutoSmart)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAutoSmart car buying service available to CME members, providing access to vehicle purchasing assistance with competitive auto loan financing options.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Huntington National Bank: Major Ohio-based commercial bank with deep Columbus presence and comprehensive consumer/business banking. Competes with CME for the same Central Ohio depositors and mortgage borrowers, but operates as a large for-profit institution with broader product portfolio.

Direct peers

• Wright-Patt Credit Union: One of Ohio's largest credit unions serving the Dayton region and beyond with personal, business, and mortgage lending. Comparable as a regional not-for-profit cooperative providing similar deposit and loan products with a digital-first delivery model.
• Kemba Financial Credit Union: Ohio-based community credit union serving Central Ohio and surrounding areas with consumer banking, loans, and digital services. Operates as a not-for-profit cooperative member-owned institution with a similar geographic focus and member-first operating model.
• Directions Credit Union: Ohio-based credit union headquartered in Toledo with community membership across Northwest Ohio. Comparable as a not-for-profit cooperative with checking, savings, lending, and shared branching presence.
• Telhio Credit Union: Ohio-headquartered credit union serving Central and Southwest Ohio with consumer and business banking. Directly comparable product set (checking, savings, mortgages, HELOCs, autos) and similar geographic overlap in the Columbus metro as CME.
• Atomic Credit Union: Ohio community credit union with multi-county membership, full suite of consumer and mortgage products. Similar not-for-profit cooperative structure and digital-branching hybrid model.
• Firelands Federal Credit Union: Ohio-based community credit union offering consumer lending, deposits, and digital banking. Comparable as a member-owned cooperative with a multi-county service area and a focus on community banking relationships.

Regional players

• SAFE Credit Union: Sacramento-area community credit union with broad consumer and mortgage lending. Comparable as a regional not-for-profit cooperative emphasizing member value pricing and community engagement.
• CFCU Community Credit Union: Cornell-affiliated credit union operating in New York with a large community charter. Comparable as a not-for-profit cooperative offering a similar product menu (checking, mortgage, HELOC, credit cards) and shared branching value proposition.

Emerging players

• Chime: Digital-first consumer fintech offering fee-free checking, savings, and early-pay features. Comparable to CME's digital banking value proposition (account access, mobile deposit, early pay) but as a fee-free mobile-native challenger targeting the same Central Ohio consumer segment.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/cmefcu
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cme-federal-credit-union
• Instagraminstagram.com/cmefcu
• TikToktiktok.com/@cmefcu
• Xx.com/CMEFCU

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cme Federal Credit Union