First Peoples Community Federal Credit Union

What First Peoples Community Federal Credit Union does

First Peoples Community Federal Credit Union is a federally chartered, member-owned cooperative credit union headquartered in Cumberland, Maryland. Founded in 1960 as Amcelle Employees Federal Credit Union, it was rechartered over time into a community chartered institution serving residents and workers across 9 counties spanning Maryland (Allegany, Garrett, Washington), Pennsylvania (Somerset, Bedford, Fulton), and West Virginia (Mineral, Hampshire, Morgan). Membership is opened via a $5 share account and entitles each member to pro-rata ownership; there are no outside shareholders. The credit union operates 21 branch and TAP (Teller Access Point) sites, supported by Interactive Teller Machines (video-enabled ATMs), a Call Access Teller phone channel, and online/mobile banking with mobile deposit.

The product platform spans personal and commercial banking: eFirst Checking, Regular Share Savings, Money Market, Certificates (including IRAs), auto, home equity, home, personal/signature, RV/ATV/motorcycle loans, and Visa credit cards (Emerald and Platinum). Beyond core banking, the institution distributes wealth management through an LPL Financial partnership (First Peoples Wealth Management Services, advised by VP Aaron Strawderman), offers merchant services via Helcim, and runs community-engagement programs including SwipeBoost (debit-card-linked donations to 25+ schools and organizations, totaling over $207,000 historically) and Banzai-sponsored financial literacy curriculum in 39+ schools. In August 2025, the credit union added a Greenlight partnership providing family-facing money management and a kids' debit card.

Revenue is generated through interest income on the loan portfolio, the deposit interest spread characteristic of cooperative mutuals (with profits returned to members via better rates and lower fees), an itemized fee schedule (overdraft $40, ATM foreign withdrawal $1, wires $15–$57, research $30 per half-hour, membership maintenance $5), and a $5 share-account entry. Revenue figures are not publicly disclosed; pricing details visible on disclosures include auto loans as low as 2.99% APR, a Freedom Loan Promo at 2.50% APR, 9-month CDs up to 3.85% APY, and 30-year fixed mortgages as low as 6.375% APR. The institution is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors chaired by Chris Carpenter, with Randy Olsen as President & CEO, Kelly Brown as EVP & COO, and Alison Sweitzer as SVP & CFO.

Name

First Peoples Community Federal Credit Union

Legal name

First Peoples Community Federal Credit Union

Website

https://firstpeoples.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1960

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

First Peoples Community Federal Credit Union is a federally chartered, member-owned community credit union serving 9 counties across Maryland, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia via 21 branches, ITMs, and digital banking, offering personal/business loans, deposits, wealth, and merchant services to retail, business, and community organization members.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Banking

NAICS

Credit Unions (52213), Credit Unions (522130), Credit Card Issuing (522210)

SIC

Personal Credit Institutions (6141)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industry

Cooperative Banks (Member-Owned Commercial/Retail) (FSABAEAF)

Keywords

• Community credit union
• Personal banking services
• Consumer lending products
• Business banking solutions
• Digital banking platform

Headquarters

HQ city

Cumberland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices20 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 on Loans: Primary revenue stream from interest charged on various loan products including mortgages, auto loans, personal loans, credit cards, home equity loans, and recreational vehicle loans
2. Service Fees: Various fees including ATM fees, overdraft fees, wire transfer fees, account maintenance fees, stop payment fees, research fees, and other banking service charges
3. Membership Fees: $5 share account required for membership; membership maintenance fee of $5
4. Deposit Interest Spread: Not-for-profit financial institution where profits are allocated to members through improvements, dividends, low loan rates, and high deposit rates

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

First Peoples Community Federal Credit Union is a federally chartered, member-owned cooperative credit union providing retail and commercial banking products including checking, savings, certificates, IRAs, mortgages, auto loans, personal loans, home equity loans, credit cards, and recreational vehicle loans. The credit union serves members across 21 branch locations spanning nine counties in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, complemented by interactive teller machines (ITMs), online banking, mobile banking, and a member connection center. Supplementary offerings include merchant services, wealth management through an LPL Financial partnership, and the Greenlight family finance app partnership.

Product overview

First Peoples Community Federal Credit Union offers a traditional credit union banking platform with personal and business banking products including checking, savings, certificates, and various loan products. The credit union provides digital banking services through online and mobile platforms, interactive teller machines, and phone-based teller services. Supplementary services include wealth management partnerships, merchant services for businesses, financial wellness education through Banzai, and a Greenlight partnership for family banking solutions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• eFirst Checking Electronic checking account with digital banking features and tiered interest rates for personal banking members.
• Regular Share Savings Basic savings account offering competitive rates for personal members, opened with a $5 minimum deposit that establishes membership.
• Business Checking Commercial checking account designed for business members with tailored features for local business operations.
• Non-Profit Checking Checking account designed for non-profit organizations with features tailored to their specific banking needs.
• Money Market Money market savings account offering higher interest rates with tiered rate options.
• Certificates (CDs) Certificate of Deposit accounts with various term lengths for savings growth, including a 9-month share certificate special earning up to 3.85% APY.
• IRA Certificates Individual Retirement Account certificates for retirement savings.
• Auto Loans Vehicle financing for personal automobiles with various term options, with rates as low as 2.99% APR for 2023 and newer vehicles.
• Home Equity Loans and Lines of Credit Home equity loans and lines of credit allowing members to borrow against their home's equity.
• Personal/Signature Loans Unsecured personal loans for various financial needs, including a Freedom Loan Promo offering up to $2,500 at 2.50% APR for up to 12 months.
• RV/ATV/Motorcycle Loans Recreational vehicle financing for RVs, ATVs, and motorcycles.
• Visa Credit Cards (Emerald and Platinum) Credit card products including Visa Emerald (Classic) at 11.50% APR and Visa Platinum at 8.99% APR.
• Home Loans (Mortgages) Residential mortgage products including a 30-year fixed rate mortgage as low as 6.375% APR.
• Business Lending Portfolio of low-cost business lending services designed for local businesses, with local decision-making.
• Merchant Services Payment processing services for business members using Helcim for Visa card transactions.
• FP Wealth Management Wealth management and investment advisory services provided in partnership with LPL Financial for personal and business members.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $207,000 donated to schools and organizations through SwipeBoost program
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• GreenlightcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 August 2025Partnership with Greenlight to offer family finance and safety app with debit card for kids. First Peoples members receive free Greenlight Select subscription. Exclusive discounts on premium plans (Infinity Select $9.99/mo, Family Shield Select $18.99/mo). Greenlight provides money management, chores/allowance, savings goals, and financial literacy for 6+ million families.
• BanzaicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAward-winning interactive financial literacy curriculum partnership. First Peoples sponsors Banzai learning in dozens of high schools in MD, WV, and PA communities. FREE to students, teachers, and members. Topics include saving for college, using credit cards, buying a house. Sponsoring over 39 schools in charter area.
• LPL FinancialcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWealth management partnership through First Peoples Wealth Management Services. LPL provides investment advisory and brokerage services. Aaron Strawderman is LPL Investment Advisor Representative. Referrals generated through agreement allowing LPL to pay for referrals.
• BEDCO FCUminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMerged with BEDCO FCU in January 2025, expanding credit union's member base and service area.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• PA Central Federal Credit Union: Community-chartered federal credit union serving central Pennsylvania with a similar product set (checking, savings, loans, digital banking). Direct comparable in size, structure, and rural tri-county footprint in PA counties overlapping First Peoples' service area.
• Members 1st Federal Credit Union: Pennsylvania-headquartered community credit union with branch network and full retail/business banking services. Comparable as a community FCU operating across multiple PA counties with similar digital and branch delivery model.
• Clearview Federal Credit Union: Community-chartered federal credit union based in western Pennsylvania serving multiple counties with retail and business banking. Direct comparable on charter type, geographic region, and product mix.
• Belco Community Credit Union: Community credit union operating in south-central Pennsylvania with retail and small-business banking. Direct comparable on community charter, mid-sized branch network, and member-owned cooperative model.

Broad incumbents

• M&T Bank: Large regional bank with significant branch presence across Maryland, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia - the same tri-state footprint as First Peoples. Overlaps directly in retail deposits, mortgages, and small-business banking, and represents the dominant incumbent competitive threat.
• F.N.B. Corporation (First National Bank): Regional bank holding company with branches across Pennsylvania, Maryland, and West Virginia. Competes with First Peoples on consumer deposits, mortgages, and small-business banking in overlapping rural Pennsylvania and western Maryland markets.
• PNC Financial Services: Top-five U.S. bank with extensive retail and small-business presence across Pennsylvania, Maryland, and West Virginia. Competes on deposit products, mortgages, and digital banking, and is a major incumbent in Cumberland/Hagerstown-adjacent markets.
• Truist Financial: Large national bank with retail and wealth presence in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Competitor for retail deposits, mortgages, and small-business banking in the broader tri-state region.

Emerging players

• SoFi: Digital-first bank and lender offering deposit accounts, personal loans, auto loans, credit cards, and wealth management without a branch network. Represents the digital-native competitive threat to credit unions on rates, convenience, and member acquisition.
• Discover Financial Services: Direct-to-consumer credit card issuer and digital bank offering deposit and personal loan products. Comparable to First Peoples' Visa credit card and consumer lending offerings as a non-branch-based competitor for balances and card spend.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/FirstPeoplesCFCU
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/first-peoples-community-fcu

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 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 Peoples Community Federal Credit Union