Hawaii County Employees Federal Credit Union

What Hawaii County Employees Federal Credit Union does

Hawaii County Employees Federal Credit Union (HCEFCU) is a federally chartered, member-owned cooperative credit union founded in 1936 and headquartered at 131 Puuhonu Way in Hilo, Hawaii. It operates from a single branch with 1-10 employees and serves a closed field of membership consisting of Hawaii County government employees, employees of the Hawaii Government Employees Association (HGEA) and the United Public Workers Association (UPWA), and their family members — with lifetime membership that persists after separation from county employment. The institution is federally insured by the NCUA up to $250,000 per depositor and holds Equal Housing Lender and BBB accreditations.

The product portfolio centers on deposit accounts (Share savings, Kasasa Cash / Share Draft checking, Money Market, Share Certificates, IRA Share Accounts, Christmas Club) and a consumer loan suite that includes new and used auto loans (100% financing available), unsecured personal loans up to $25,000, share-secured loans, a $5,000 line of credit, a Home Equity Line of Credit, photovoltaic/green loans up to $30,000, and Sallie Mae Smart Option Student Loans. Supporting infrastructure is built on third-party platforms: Virtual Branch online banking and Mobiliti mobile (Fiserv-powered), Zelle for P2P, Visa debit cards with EMV chip, and the CO-OP Shared Branching / HICUSO shared-branch cooperatives. Insurance and ancillary products are sourced through TruStage (CMFG Life), CUNA Mutual Group, and Farmers Insurance Hawaii.

Revenue is generated predominantly through net interest margin on consumer loans (auto, personal, HELOC, photovoltaic, share-secured) and dividend expense on deposits, supplemented by transaction fees (wire, overdraft, stop payment, dormant account, safe deposit box). Pricing is documented on a published rate sheet with APRs/APYs that are subject to change, and membership entry requires a $1 fee plus a $50 share value. Distribution relies on the Hilo branch combined with 24/7 digital self-service and the shared branching cooperative, with marketing conducted through the credit union's website, blog, and Facebook page.

Name

Hawaii County Employees Federal Credit Union

Legal name

Hawaii County Employees Federal Credit Union

Website

https://hawaiicountyfcu.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1936

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Hawaii County Employees Federal Credit Union is a federally chartered, member-owned credit union founded in 1936 in Hilo, Hawaii, serving Hawaii County employees, HGEA and UPWA workers, and their families with deposits, consumer loans, and digital banking.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Retail Banking (Credit Union)

NAICS

Credit Unions (52213), Credit Unions (522130)

SIC

Savings Institution, Federally Chartered (6035)

akta.pro primary industry

Employer/Occupational Credit Unions (FSABAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Public Sector & Municipal Credit Unions (FSABAEAK)

Keywords

• Credit union services
• Consumer banking
• Share savings accounts
• Personal lending
• Digital banking

Headquarters

HQ city

Hilo

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Loan Interest Income: The credit union generates revenue primarily through interest charged on consumer loans including auto loans, personal loans, home equity lines of credit, photovoltaic loans, and share-secured loans. Interest is computed on a simple method on the outstanding principal balance.
2. Share (Savings) Account Dividends: Members earn dividends on savings, money market, and certificate accounts. The credit union pays dividends from current income and available earnings after required transfers to reserves.
3. Fee-based Services: Various service fees including wire transfer fees ($20 outgoing), overdraft fees ($20 per item), stop payment fees ($20), account research fees ($30/hour), dormant account fees ($5/month after 4 years of inactivity), and safe deposit box rental ($20-$35/year).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Hawaii County Employees Federal Credit Union is a member-owned cooperative financial institution providing retail banking services to Hawaii County employees, certain affiliated workers, and their families. Its core offering consists of deposit products (share/savings, checking, money market, certificates, IRAs) and consumer loan products (auto, personal, home equity, photovoltaic/green, share-secured, student loans via Sallie Mae partnership), delivered through a single Hilo branch, the Virtual Branch online banking platform, and the Mobiliti mobile app, with nationwide access via the CO-OP Shared Branching network.

Product overview

Hawaii County Employees Federal Credit Union operates as a member-owned financial cooperative offering a comprehensive suite of banking and lending products through its Virtual Branch online and mobile banking platform. The core product portfolio centers on deposit accounts (shares/savings, checking, money market, and certificate accounts with IRA options) and loan products (personal loans, automobile loans, home equity, photovoltaic/green loans, and student loans via Sallie Mae partnership). The platform includes Zelle for peer-to-peer payments, Visa debit cards, overdraft protection services, wire transfers, shared branching through CO-OP network, and various insurance products through TruStage partnerships. The mobile app (iOS/Android) provides 24/7 account access with bill pay, e-statements, account alerts, and integration with Microsoft Money and Quicken for financial data export.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Virtual Branch: Online and mobile banking platform providing 24/7 account access, transfers, loan payments, and financial management tools.
• Mobiliti
• Kasasa Cash
• Zelle

Products and services

• Share (Savings) Account Primary savings account that establishes membership and eligibility for all banking services. Requires $50 minimum balance, earns dividends at competitive rates, and includes $2,000 free Accidental Death and Dismemberment insurance for members over age 15.
• Share Draft Checking Free checking account with no minimum balance requirement, featuring free e-statements, free mobile banking, free Visa Debit Card, and free checks for accounts receiving direct deposits. Operates as part of the Kasasa Cash reward checking program.
• Money Market Account Market-rate savings account with NCUA-insured safety, monthly dividend compounding, $2,500 suggested minimum for optimal earnings, and limited to three withdrawals and three transfers per month.
• Certificate Account Term deposit accounts available in 6-month, 18-month, and 3-year terms with minimum opening deposits of $2,500. Dividends paid monthly with early withdrawal penalties applying.
• IRA Share Certificate Account Tax-advantaged IRA certificates with 1-year and 2-year terms offering higher dividend rates, $1,000 minimum opening balance, and monthly dividend crediting to IRA Share Account.
• IRA Share Account Personal tax-sheltered retirement account offering tax advantages for present income reduction and future security, including Roth IRA and Coverdell Education Savings Account options.
• Christmas Club Account Savings account for holiday expenses with $50 minimum opening deposit, monthly dividend payments, and automatic yearly renewal with funds distributed by the first week of November.
• Personal Loan Unsecured consumer loans up to $25,000 with terms up to 6 years, no collateral required, simple interest computation on outstanding principal balance, and no prepayment penalties. Rates from 3.00% to 8.00% APR by term.
• 15/15/15 Loan Quick-access loan offering up to $1,500 at 15% APR for 15 months with a $25 processing fee. No credit report or debt-to-income review required.
• Line of Credit Revolving credit line with maximum limit of $5,000, commonly used for share draft overdraft protection purposes.
• Share Secured Loans Loans secured by the member's own savings, allowing borrowing up to 90% of share account or term share certificate balance while still earning dividends on the underlying savings. Rate is 2.00% APR over the Regular Share Dividend rate with maximum 120-month term.
• New and Used Automobile Loans Vehicle financing with 100% financing for new autos up to 7-year terms (4.50% to 6.50% APR) and used auto loans based on Blue Book values up to 6-year terms (4.00% APR). Rates based on creditworthiness.
• Photovoltaic and Green Loans Eco-friendly loans for photovoltaic panel installation and energy efficiency improvements up to $30,000 at 3.80% APR for up to 84 months, with no payments due for the first six months.
• Home Equity Line of Credit Revolving credit line using equity in owner-occupied or investment properties, allowing members to borrow funds as needed for renovations, debt consolidation, or other purposes at 5.75% APR (adjusted April 1, 2026).
• Sallie Mae Smart Option Student Loans Student loan program partnered with Sallie Mae for college expenses not covered by scholarships and federal loans, offering flexible repayment options and competitive rates exclusively available to credit union members.
• Visa Platinum Credit Card Credit card available with a share-secured option at 9.00% APR and an unsecured option at 11.90% APR.
• Visa Debit Card Chip-secured Visa debit card enabling direct point-of-sale purchases from checking accounts and ATM cash withdrawals, with funds automatically deducted from accounts.
• Virtual Branch and Mobiliti Digital Banking Platform Integrated online and mobile banking platform (Virtual Branch web access plus Mobiliti smartphone app) enabling 24/7 account inquiries, transfers, loan payments, bill pay, electronic messaging, account alerts, e-statements, and financial data export to Microsoft Money and Quicken.
• Overdraft Coverage Overdraft protection services including transfer from another deposit account ($10 fee), line of credit protection (subject to fees and interest), and Courtesy Pay ($20 overdraft fee per item with $500 standard coverage limit).
• Domestic Wire Transfer Domestic wire transfer service within the United States for a $20 fee per transfer, set up through the Operations Department.
• Shared Branching Access to accounts through the CO-OP Shared Branching network and HICUSO, providing thousands of branch locations nationwide for deposits, withdrawals, transfers, and loan payments using Next Generation Network switch technology.
• Safe Deposit Box Secure storage boxes available in multiple sizes (5x5, 3x10, 5x10, 10x10) with annual rental fees ranging from $20 to $35.
• TruStage Insurance Products Insurance products through TruStage including auto insurance, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, and whole/term life insurance underwritten by CMFG Life Insurance Company. Members could save $427.96 on auto insurance through TruStage.
• Mechanical Repair Coverage Vehicle protection covering costly repairs no longer under manufacturer warranty, available at any licensed repair facility, in Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum plans.
• Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP) Coverage paying the difference between insurance settlement and loan balance for vehicles declared a total loss or stolen.
• Credit Disability and Credit Life Insurance Loan protection insurance making payments to reduce or pay off covered loans in the case of death or total continuous disability from a covered sickness or accident.

Quantifiable outcome

• Members could save $427.96 on auto insurance with TruStage
• +1 more outcomes

Segments3 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

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• TruStage (CMFG Life Insurance Company)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerTruStage provides auto insurance, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, and whole/term life insurance products marketed to credit union members. Credit union members could save $427.96 on auto insurance through TruStage.
• CO-OP Shared BranchingcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCO-OP Shared Branching provides access to thousands of branch locations throughout the nation. The cooperative network uses Next Generation Network (NGN) switch technology allowing members to perform loan payments, share deposits and withdrawals, transfers, and other services at participating branches.
• HICUSO (Hawaii Network of Shared Branches)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal Hawaii cooperative network of shared branches complementing the CO-OP national network for member access to branch services.
• Sallie MaecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership provides Smart Option Student Loans for college expenses not covered by scholarships and federal loans. Sallie Mae offers loans with great repayment options and competitive rates specifically available to credit union members.
• Farmers Insurance HawaiiminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMembers can save an average of $366 on auto insurance with Farmers Insurance Hawaii, including savings on homeowner's insurance and local claims service. Members can call (800) 515-1023 for Hawaii County EFCU member discounts.
• CUNA Mutual Group - MEMBER CONNECTcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerJoint marketing partner referenced in the privacy policy. CUNA Mutual Group's MEMBER CONNECT is a formal joint marketing agreement between nonaffiliated financial companies to together market financial products or services.
• Early Warning Services - ZellecoreTechnology or IntegrationZelle enables fast and easy way to send and receive money directly from account to enrolled recipients in minutes using just email address or U.S. mobile number. Hawaii County Employees FCU does not charge any fees to use Zelle.
• VisacoreTechnology or IntegrationVisa provides debit card processing services. The credit union offers Visa Debit Cards with chip security for point-of-sale purchases and ATM withdrawals.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Hawaii State Federal Credit Union: Hawaii State FCU (Alohi Pacific) is a much larger Hawaii-based credit union serving state government employees and broader communities. Comparable as a Hawaii-headquartered employer-affiliated credit union offering similar deposit, loan, and digital banking services, though at significantly greater scale.
• Bank of Hawaii: Bank of Hawaii is Hawaii's largest financial institution, offering full-service consumer and commercial banking. Comparable as a competing Hawaii depository institution serving overlapping consumer and government-employee customers.
• HawaiiUSA Federal Credit Union: HawaiiUSA FCU is one of the largest credit unions in Hawaii, offering consumer banking, mortgages, and investment services statewide. Comparable as a Hawaii-based community credit union competing for similar consumer deposit and loan products in the same island market.
• First Hawaiian Bank: First Hawaiian Bank is the largest Hawaii-based bank and offers consumer banking, mortgages, and lending products statewide. Comparable as a competing Hawaii-headquartered depository institution competing for the same Big Island consumer deposit and loan wallet.

Others

• Allpoint Network (surchure-free ATM): Allpoint is the largest surcharge-free ATM network in the U.S., commonly partnered with credit unions. Comparable as an ecosystem/network provider enabling small credit unions to extend ATM access to members nationwide without owning proprietary ATM infrastructure.
• CU\*Answers (Fiserv/CO-OP): CU*Answers and Fiserv/CO-OP provide the core banking, mobile, and shared-branching technology that powers small credit unions like HCEFCU. Comparable as an enabling infrastructure and technology partner whose platform underpins the subject company's digital and operational capabilities.

Direct peers

• Kauai Government Employees Federal Credit Union: KGEFCU serves Kauai County government employees and their families with a similar closed-membership structure and small-scale community credit union model. Highly comparable as a county-government-employee FCU operating in a neighboring Hawaiian island market.
• Honolulu Federal Credit Union: Honolulu FCU serves City & County of Honolulu employees — directly comparable as an employer-affiliated Hawaii government-employee credit union with a similar deposit/loan product suite and NCUA-insured cooperative structure.
• Big Island Federal Credit Union: Big Island FCU is a Hawaii Island-based community credit union offering consumer deposit and loan products in Hilo and surrounding areas. Directly comparable as a same-geography credit union competitor serving Big Island consumers with overlapping product suites.
• Maui County Federal Credit Union: Maui County FCU is a small, employer-affiliated credit union serving Maui County employees — a direct structural analog with the same closed-membership government-employee model, similar product suite (savings, checking, auto, personal loans), and small branch-based operating footprint.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks2 records

Key highlights3 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/HawaiiCountyEmployeesFCU
• Xx.com/HawaiiCountyFCU
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hawaii-county-employees-federal-credit-union

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Hawaii County Employees Federal Credit Union