First Heritage Federal Credit Union

What First Heritage Federal Credit Union does

First Heritage Federal Credit Union is a federally chartered, member-owned cooperative founded in 1954 as the Ingersoll-Rand Employees Federal Credit Union and headquartered in Corning, New York. It operates under a community charter from the NCUA, serving 50,000+ members across an 11-county field of membership spanning southern New York and northern Pennsylvania through 9 branches and digital channels. The institution is federally insured by the NCUA and offers consumer deposits (APEX Cash, APEX Cash Back Rewards Checking, savings, CDs, IRAs), consumer and mortgage lending, and small business and SBA commercial lending, with insurance offered through an affiliated agency.

The technology stack is built on a Jack Henry core with EASE-backed disaster recovery and consists of native iOS and Android mobile applications, web digital banking with biometric authentication, remote deposit capture, card management, bill pay, and eStatements. Member-facing intelligence features, including the "Insights" personal financial management module with auto-categorization and SavvyMoney credit score integration, are vendor-provided rather than proprietary. Card products run on the Visa network, and members access surcharge-free ATMs through the CO-OP shared branching and ATM network. Investment and advisory services are delivered through LPL Financial.

As a not-for-profit cooperative, revenue is generated primarily from net interest income on consumer, mortgage, and commercial loan portfolios net of deposit interest expense, supplemented by transaction and service fees, Visa interchange, and fee income from wealth management referrals. Distribution is branch-centric, augmented by digital channels, a member referral program, and community engagement initiatives such as the "70 Acts of Kindness" anniversary campaign and employer-partnership outreach, including the Leadership Steuben leadership development program.

Name

First Heritage Federal Credit Union

Legal name

First Heritage Federal Credit Union

Website

https://fhfcu.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1954

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

First Heritage Federal Credit Union is a federally chartered, member-owned cooperative founded in 1954, serving 50,000+ members across an 11-county southern New York and northern Pennsylvania region through 9 branches and digital banking, offering consumer deposits, mortgages, and small business and SBA lending.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Retail Banking

NAICS

Credit Unions (52213)

SIC

Savings Institution, Federally Chartered (6035)

akta.pro primary industry

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

Keywords

• Consumer banking services
• Mortgage lending
• Small business lending
• Share certificates
• Digital banking

Headquarters

HQ city

Corning

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Net Interest Income (Lending): Primary revenue stream from interest earned on consumer loans (auto, personal, mortgage, home equity), business loans (commercial, SBA, vehicle/equipment), Visa credit cards, and indirect lending, less interest paid on member deposits including savings, checking, certificates, and IRAs.
2. Account and Loan Service Fees: One-time and recurring fees including abandoned property ($100), cashier's checks ($5), overdraft ($28), courtesy pay ($28), inactivity ($20/quarter), stop payment ($30), wire transfers ($20 domestic / $45 international), skip a payment ($25), and a $50 legal processing fee.
3. Visa Card Interchange and Service Revenue: Revenue from Visa card activity including a 1% international service fee on cross-border and currency-conversion transactions and a $5 card replacement fee.
4. Referral Program Acquisition Costs: Marketing-driven customer acquisition through a $100-per-referral bonus (capped at 5 referrals / $500 per year per referrer) designed to drive APEX Rewards Checking account growth.
5. Investment and Advisory Services Revenue: Revenue share or referral relationship with LPL Financial (operating under firstheritage-lpl.com) and Kio Corp. Insurance Brokerage, providing members with access to financial advisory, retirement, and Medicare/insurance planning.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion5 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

First Heritage Federal Credit Union is a member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative that provides consumer and small business banking products and services, including checking, savings, share certificates, IRAs, Visa credit and debit cards, personal and vehicle loans, home mortgages, and business lending. Members access these products through a 9-branch retail network across 11 counties in New York and Pennsylvania and through a digital banking platform delivered via web and a native iOS/Android mobile app. The credit union is federally insured by the NCUA and earns revenue primarily through net interest income on loans and deposits, supplemented by account fees, Visa interchange and a referral acquisition program.

Product overview

First Heritage Federal Credit Union delivers its offering as a core consumer and small-business banking platform anchored by Digital Banking (web) and the First Heritage FCU Mobile App (iOS/Android), with deposit, lending, and card products sitting on top. The Digital Banking hub bundles Bill Pay, Remote Deposit, eStatements, Card Management, Mobile Wallet (Apple Pay / Google Pay), Member-to-Member Transfers, the Insights and Budgeting Tool, and the SavvyMoney-powered Credit Score view as integrated modules, while account-level products (APEX Cash / APEX Cash Back Checking, Savings Accounts, Share Certificates, IRAs, Youth Accounts, Credit Cards, Personal Loans, Vehicle Loans, Home Loans, Business Banking, Wire Transfers) are serviced through the same digital channel. Member-experience adjacencies — Refer A Friend (on the ReferLive platform), Financial Champions literacy content, the SPARK community initiative, and the 70 Acts of Kindness campaign — round out the member-facing portfolio, and operational integrations with the CO-OP ATM network, BluePay (Make a Payment), the JHA Hot Card Center, and Jack Henry & Associates EASE Outlink Processing underpin ATM reach, loan payments, card servicing, and disaster recovery.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• APEX Rewards Checking: A family of rewards-based checking accounts marketed under the APEX brand, including APEX Cash (3.00% APY on balances up to $10,000) and APEX Cash Back (3% cash back on debit card purchases up to $9 per month), with ATM fee refunds and access to nearly 30,000 surcharge-free ATMs.
• SPARK

Products and services

• APEX Cash Rewards Checking A consumer checking account paying 3.00% APY on balances up to $10,000 (0.20% on balances over $10,000; 0.05% if monthly qualifications not met). No minimum balance, refunds up to $25/month in domestic ATM fees, access to ~30,000 surcharge-free ATMs. Requires 1 ACH/direct deposit/bill payment, 12 debit card purchases, and eStatements enrollment per monthly qualification cycle. For consumer members within the 11-county field of membership.
• APEX Cash Back Rewards Checking A consumer checking account that pays 3% cash back on debit card purchases, capped at $9 per month. No minimum balance, refunds up to $25/month in domestic ATM fees, same monthly qualification requirements as APEX Cash (1 ACH/direct deposit/bill payment, 12 debit card purchases, eStatements enrollment). For consumer members within the 11-county field of membership.
• Savings Accounts Core share/savings products including regular Share Savings, Money Market, and related deposit accounts with published rates and terms. For consumer and business members within the community field of membership.
• Share Certificates Term deposit products (CDs) with fixed terms and published rates, including prominently surfaced 24-month and 36-month share certificates (3.45% and 3.40% APY respectively as of February 20, 2026). Minimum $1,000 opening deposit, daily dividends, monthly crediting. Early withdrawal penalties may apply. For consumer members within the community field of membership.
• IRA Accounts Individual Retirement Account products offered as Traditional or Roth IRAs, with IRA Savings and IRA Share Certificate variants. $25 IRA transfer-out fee applies. For consumer members planning retirement savings within the community field of membership.
• Youth / Student Accounts Youth-focused share/savings and checking products designed for minors and students, integrated with the Financial Champions financial-literacy program. For young members and students within the community field of membership.
• Visa Credit Cards Visa credit-card products issued by First Heritage FCU with fixed and variable rate options, supported by Card Management controls (on/off, spending limits, merchant/region restrictions) and Mobile Wallet tokenization. Includes a $5 card replacement fee, $25 Visa late payment fee, and 1% international service fee on cross-border transactions. For consumer members.
• Personal Loans Unsecured personal loan products for members, with online application entry and servicing through Digital Banking. Includes a $25 skip-a-payment option. For consumer members within the community field of membership.
• Vehicle Loans Auto, recreational-vehicle, and other vehicle financing products with published rate sheets and refinance options, available through direct lending and the indirect dealership network. For consumer members within and beyond the community field of membership.
• Home Loans / Mortgage Lending First-mortgage and home-equity lending products (purchase, refinance, and home-equity lines/loans) originated by First Heritage FCU with online application entry points and dedicated mortgage officers at the Corning, Elmira Heights, and Mansfield branches. $200 mortgage subordination fee; $500 mortgage gas/lease subordination fee. For consumer members buying or refinancing homes within and beyond the community field of membership.
• Business Banking Business share/savings, business checking (including analyzed/non-analyzed variants), and business loans (term loans, lines of credit, SBA loans, vehicle and equipment financing) targeted at small businesses and member organizations within the community field of membership. SBA-recognized Top Small Community Lender of the Year (Upstate NY) 2024.
• Financial Advisory Services (via LPL Financial) Investment advisory services offered through the credit union's affiliation with LPL Financial (firstheritage-lpl.com), providing members access to a financial advisor for retirement, Medicare, and estate planning seminars and services. For consumer members seeking investment and retirement planning guidance.
• Wire Transfer Services Domestic ($20) and international ($45) wire transfer initiation and inbound/outbound processing offered as a member banking service. For consumer and business members.

Quantifiable outcome

• 3.00% APY on checking balances up to $10,000 with APEX Cash
• +6 more outcomes

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

Feature10 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Jack Henry & Associates, Inc. (EASE Outlink Processing)flagshipTechnology or IntegrationCore technology partnership providing disaster recovery and core processing continuity for First Heritage. In the event of a disaster or emergency, Jack Henry's EASE Outlink Processing ensures FHFCU will still operate at full capacity at its disaster recovery site, with checks, debits, credit cards, and ACH transactions remaining functional. A dedicated Disaster Recovery Team is activated when a disaster is declared.
• CO-OP Network (Co-operative Credit Union Association)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorShared branching and ATM network partnership giving First Heritage members access to over 30,000 surcharge-free ATMs nationwide and shared branching services through the CO-OP credit union cooperative.
• ReferLive (CustomerStream, LLC)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerMarketing and referral platform powering the First Heritage 'Refer A Friend' program, which offers $100 to both the referrer and referred friend for each qualified APEX Rewards Checking account opening. ReferLive is a trademark of CustomerStream, LLC.
• SavvyMoneycoreTechnology or IntegrationEmbedded credit score and financial education technology partner integrated into the First Heritage digital banking experience, providing daily VantageScore 3.0 updates, full credit reports, real-time monitoring alerts, a credit score simulator, and personalized offers without impacting member credit.
• LPL Financial (First Heritage-LPL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInvestment advisory affiliation through the firstheritage-lpl.com domain providing members with access to a financial advisor for retirement, Medicare, and estate planning seminars and services. First Heritage staff present educational seminars alongside LPL-affiliated insurance and advisory partners.
• Visa Inc.coreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerCard network partner issuing First Heritage-branded Visa debit and credit cards, including Instant Issue Debit Cards, School Spirit Debit Cards, and credit cards with fixed and variable rate options. The cards are accepted anywhere Visa is accepted worldwide and are protected under Visa regulations.
• Kio Corp. Insurance Brokerage (Phillip Kio)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerInsurance brokerage partner delivering educational Medicare seminars to First Heritage members on topics including Medicare coverage, enrollment processes, and plan selection. Joint seminars held across the credit union's 11-county field of membership.
• JHA Hot Card Center (Jack Henry & Associates)coreTechnology or Integration24/7 card security and reporting service enabling members to report lost or stolen Visa debit and credit cards at 1.888.297.3416 (US) or 206.389.5200 (international), with the ability to block cards via card management in digital banking.
• Online Bill Pay Service Provider (instid 41038)coreTechnology or IntegrationVendor providing First Heritage's free Bill Payment platform, enabling recurring and one-time payments, person-to-person payments via email, and check or electronic delivery options. Member support available at 855.279.8390.
• National Credit Union Administration (NCUA)flagshipOthersFederal regulatory body that federally insures all First Heritage Federal Credit Union member deposits up to $250,000 through the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund (NCUSIF). First Heritage is federally chartered and regulated by the NCUA.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights2 records

Direct peers

• Visions Federal Credit Union: New York-based community credit union serving a similar upstate footprint with consumer deposits, lending, and digital banking. Directly comparable in business model (federally insured cooperative, member-owned) and product mix.
• Alternatives Federal Credit Union: Community-chartered credit union based in Ithaca, NY serving the Finger Lakes region with checking, lending, and financial-literacy programming. Directly comparable cooperative model and regional upstate NY footprint adjacent to First Heritage's territory.
• Empower Federal Credit Union: Central New York credit union headquartered in Syracuse with a similar community-chartered, member-owned structure, full digital banking suite, and branch network across smaller NY markets. Comparable scale and product breadth.
• ServU Federal Credit Union: New York state community-chartered credit union offering consumer deposits, mortgage lending, and digital banking across a multi-county footprint. Operates with the same member-owned model and similar community-bank positioning.
• Sunmark Federal Credit Union: New York-based community credit union serving the Capital Region and surrounding counties with deposit, lending, and digital channels. Comparable cooperative structure and consumer/SMB banking focus.

Broad incumbents

• Chemung Canal Trust Company: Community bank headquartered in Elmira, NY — directly overlapping First Heritage's Chemung/Steuben County branches with consumer, mortgage, and business banking. A traditional deposit-and-lending competitor within the same Twin Tiers geography.
• Community Bank, N.A. Upstate New York-headquartered commercial bank with branch presence across many of the same counties First Heritage serves. Competes for consumer deposits, mortgages, and small-business lending with a broader product suite.
• M&T Bank: Large regional bank headquartered in Buffalo, NY with extensive Upstate NY and Northern PA branch coverage including the Twin Tiers. Overlaps with First Heritage on consumer deposits, mortgage origination, and SBA small-business lending.

Emerging players

• Connexus Credit Union: Nationally focused digital-first credit union offering high-yield online deposit products that compete directly with APEX Cash. Lacks a local branch presence but attracts the same rate-sensitive deposit cohort.
• Alliant Credit Union: Large digital-first credit union offering competitive deposit rates and a full lending product suite to members nationwide. Competes with First Heritage for younger, mobile-first members who do not require local branches.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/firstheritagecu
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCxWxl_kvSopqEQUWJb5AAsg
• Facebookfacebook.com/FHFCU
• Instagraminstagram.com/firstheritagefcu

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 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 First Heritage Federal Credit Union