VacationLand Federal Credit Union

What VacationLand Federal Credit Union does

VacationLand Federal Credit Union (VLFCU) is a federally chartered, member-owned cooperative founded in 1956 by employees of the Sandusky, Ohio General Motors Plant. Headquartered in Sandusky with five branches and 11 ATMs across Sandusky, Huron, Norwalk, and Vermilion, it serves over 20,000 members in north-central Ohio with a 2025 asset base above $300 million and a 12.71% capital ratio. Its business is community retail and small-business banking: share savings and money market accounts, tiered checking (Essential/Elevate/Golden and Business/Plus), share certificates including age-tiered youth certificates up to 6.03% APY, IRAs, and a full lending suite spanning mortgages, HELOCs, auto/motorcycle/boat/RV loans, personal loans, savings-secured loans, Kickstart/Simplicity/911 emergency products, plus commercial real estate, term, and line-of-credit business loans. Card offerings include personal and business Visa credit cards (with ScoreCard Rewards), debit Mastercard, and CUMONEY prepaid travel/gift cards; merchant card services are delivered through BancCard of America/Elavon.

Underlying the product set is a digital stack consisting of iOS/Android mobile banking with remote deposit capture, biometric selfie-based identity verification, online banking, 24/7 telephone banking, Interactive Teller Machines (ITM) for live video-assisted transactions, and an indirect dealer network of 30+ local franchisees for point-of-sale vehicle financing; cooperative infrastructure (CO-OP Shared Branches, Corporate One FCU, FHLB Cincinnati) extends reach to 5,600+ shared branches and 32,000+ surcharge-free ATMs nationally.

Revenue mechanics are typical of a community credit union: net interest income from loan-to-deposit spreads on a ~$300M earning-asset base (2025 ROA 0.56%, asset growth 5.50% YoY), supplemented by a granular fee schedule (NSF $30, wire $15–$50, safe deposit $15–$70, business transaction $0.10 above free tier). Customer segments are individual consumers (primary), small businesses (primary), youth and families (secondary, served via Cub Club, Youth Club, and Berenstain Bears programs), and geographically defined community residents across Erie, Huron, Lorain, Ottawa, and Sandusky counties following the 2026 NCUA-approved membership expansion. Distribution is omnichannel — branch, ITM, online, mobile, telephone, indirect dealer, and shared branching — supported by community marketing (Connections Podcast, MoneyEDU financial literacy, scholarship program, referral program).

Name

VacationLand Federal Credit Union

Legal name

VacationLand Federal Credit Union

Website

https://vlfcu.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1956

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

VacationLand Federal Credit Union is a federally chartered, member-owned cooperative serving over 20,000 members across five Ohio counties with consumer and small-business banking, lending, and card products distributed through five branches and digital channels.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Credit Union Banking Services

NAICS

Credit Unions (522130), Depository Credit Intermediation (5221)

SIC

Federal & Federally-Sponsored Credit Agencies (6111), Personal Credit Institutions (6141)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Bank & Credit Union Personal Loans (Unsecured Installment) (FSAKAAAL), Credit Cards & Revolving Credit (FSABAAAC)

Keywords

• Retail banking
• Consumer lending
• Commercial lending
• Depository accounts
• Vehicle financing

Headquarters

HQ city

Sandusky

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Interest Income from Lending: The primary revenue stream for the credit union comes from interest charged on loans including mortgages, home equity loans, personal loans, vehicle loans (auto, motorcycle, boat, RV), and business loans. Rates vary by product type and creditworthiness, with APRs ranging from approximately 6% for new auto loans to 16.99% for emergency loans.
2. Fee-based Revenue: The credit union generates revenue through various fees including ATM fees ($1.50 non-proprietary), overdraft/NSF fees ($30), wire transfer fees ($15-$50 incoming, $20-$50 outgoing), safe deposit box rentals ($15-$70 annually), and business checking transaction fees ($0.10 per transaction after free tier).
3. Deposit Taking and Dividend Payments: As a not-for-profit cooperative, the credit union accepts member deposits (savings, checking, money market, certificates) and pays dividends. The spread between interest earned on loans and interest paid on deposits constitutes core revenue.
4. Credit Card Revenue: Revenue from Visa credit cards including interest charges on balances, foreign transaction fees (1% of transaction amount), and potentially interchange fees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

VacationLand Federal Credit Union is a federally chartered, not-for-profit financial cooperative providing consumer and commercial banking products to members in north-central Ohio. The credit union accepts deposits (checking, savings, money market, certificates, IRAs) and originates consumer loans (auto, motorcycle, boat, RV, mortgage, HELOC, personal, emergency) as well as business loans (commercial real estate, commercial term loans, business lines of credit). It also offers Visa credit cards, debit Mastercard products, merchant card services, and digital banking through mobile, online, telephone, and Interactive Teller Machine (ITM) channels.

Product overview

VacationLand Federal Credit Union offers a comprehensive suite of financial products and services organized across personal banking, business banking, and member services. The personal banking lineup centers on checking accounts (Essential, Elevate, Golden tiers), share savings accounts ($5 membership deposit), money market accounts, certificates (3-month to 5-year terms with special youth rates up to 6.03% APY), and Individual Retirement Accounts (Traditional, Roth, SEP, Coverdell). Lending products span auto loans, motorcycle loans, boat loans, RV/trailer loans, personal loans, mortgage loans, HELOCs, savings-secured loans, and emergency loan products including Kickstart Auto Loans, Simplicity Consolidation Loans, and 911 Personal Loans. Card products include Visa credit cards (personal and business with ScoreCard Rewards), debit Mastercard, CUMONEY prepaid travel and gift cards, and merchant card services via BancCard/Elavon. Business offerings mirror personal products with added commercial real estate loans, commercial term loans, and business lines of credit. Digital services include 24/7 online and mobile banking with mobile deposit, telephone banking, Virtual Teller (ITM) technology, and CO-OP shared branching for nationwide access. Youth products include Cub Club accounts for ages 0-12 (Berenstain Bears branded) and Youth Club accounts for teens, with special age-tiered certificate rates. The credit union also provides TruStage insurance products, financial literacy via MoneyEDU, a Connections Podcast, and a scholarship program.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Berenstain Bears Cub Club: A youth savings program for children ages newborn to 12 years, teaching responsible money management concepts through the Berenstain Bears financial literacy program.
• Christmas Club Account
• Youth Club Account

Products and services

• Personal Checking
• Personal Savings (Share Savings)
• Money Market Plus Account
• Share Certificates
• Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs)
• Club Accounts
• Berenstain Bears Cub Club Account
• Youth Club Account
• Auto Loans
• Motorcycle Loans
• Boat Loans
• Recreational Vehicle Loans
• Personal Loans
• Savings Secured Loans
• Emergency Loans
• Mortgage Loans
• Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC)
• Visa Credit Cards (Personal)
• Personal Debit Mastercard
• Business Checking
• Business Savings Account
• Business Money Market Plus
• Business Certificates
• Commercial Real Estate Loans
• Commercial Term Loans
• Business Line of Credit
• Visa Business Credit Card
• Business Debit Mastercard
• Merchant Card Services
• Online and Mobile Banking
• Telephone Banking
• Safe Deposit Box
• Credit-Builder Bundle

Quantifiable outcome

• Asset growth of 5.50% year-over-year in 2025
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration15 records

AI capability2 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• BancCard of America, Inc.coreTechnology or IntegrationBancCard of America, Inc. provides merchant card services for VLFCU business members, enabling acceptance of credit, debit, and gift card payments. The partnership offers customized payment solutions, contactless payments, state-of-the-art technology, expedited funding, and 24/7 customer support. BancCard is a registered MSP/ISO of Elavon, Inc. Georgia, a wholly-owned subsidiary of U.S. Bancorp.
• Corporate One Federal Credit UnioncoreOthersVacationLand Federal Credit Union is a member of Corporate One Federal Credit Union, a corporate credit union providing services to credit unions nationwide.
• National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) Central Liquidity FacilitycoreOthersVLFCU is a member of the NCUA's Central Liquidity Facility, which provides liquidity support to credit unions during times of financial stress.
• CO-OP Shared BranchescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCO-OP Shared Branches network provides VLFCU members access to over 5,600 shared branch locations nationwide where they can make deposits, transfers, and other transactions.
• Sallie Mae BanksupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerVLFCU recommends Sallie Mae for student loans to members attending degree-granting institutions. Products include undergraduate loans, graduate loans (MBA, Medical, Dental, Law, Health Professions), with competitive variable and fixed rates and no origination fees. VLFCU receives compensation for referrals.
• CUMONEY (Prepaid Card Program)supportingTechnology or IntegrationCUMONEY provides Visa TravelMoney prepaid cards and Visa Gift cards available for purchase at VLFCU branches, offering safer alternatives to cash for travel and gifting.
• Mastercard (Debit Mastercard)coreTechnology or IntegrationMastercard Easy Savings Program for business members provides rebates on fuel, shipping, travel, dining, and other purchases when using VLFCU Business Debit Mastercard. Rebates post automatically to checking accounts.
• Preferred Planning AssociatessupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndependent financial advisors David Karikas and Heather Bussey maintain offices at the Perkins Avenue branch in Sandusky, providing investment and financial planning services to VLFCU members.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Digital Federal Credit Union (DCU): Massachusetts-based federally chartered credit union with strong digital-first delivery, comprehensive consumer/business banking, and broad membership eligibility via affinity relationships. Comparable in federally chartered structure and digital banking capabilities (mobile deposit, biometric access).
• Bethpage Federal Credit Union: Large New York-based federally chartered credit union with full-service consumer/commercial banking and digital capabilities. Comparable as a federally chartered member-owned cooperative serving a defined geographic/affinity membership with similar product set.
• Wright-Patt Credit Union: Much larger Ohio-based credit union headquartered in Beavercreek with multi-billion-dollar assets and broad product offerings across consumer and business banking. Comparable as a fellow Ohio community/membership-based cooperative serving a similar demographic with deposit, lending, and digital services.
• Star One Credit Union: California-based federally chartered credit union serving a wide geographic field of membership through digital channels plus select branches. Comparable in chartered co-op structure, diverse product set including indirect auto, mortgages, and business lending.
• SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union: Large California credit union serving a defined membership base (school employees) with comprehensive deposit, lending, retirement, and investment products. Similar community-credit-union philosophy and product breadth, though at significantly larger scale.

Direct peers

• Lake Michigan Credit Union: Michigan-based community credit union serving a multi-county geographic field of membership with consumer/business banking, mortgage, indirect auto, and credit card products. Highly comparable in operating model, member services, and asset scale.
• Connexus Credit Union: Wisconsin-headquartered community credit union with comparable asset size ($3-4B range), product breadth including personal/business banking, indirect auto lending, and digital channels. Comparable community-cooperative model targeting geographic/affinity membership expansion.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/VacationLandFCU
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/VacationlandFCU
• Facebookfacebook.com/VacationLandFCU
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/vacationlandfcu
• Instagraminstagram.com/vacationlandfcu

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 VacationLand Federal Credit Union