Foothills Federal Credit Union

What Foothills Federal Credit Union does

Foothills Federal Credit Union is a federally chartered, non-profit, member-owned cooperative providing consumer banking and lending products to individuals who live, work, or worship in Loudon, Monroe, and Blount Counties in East Tennessee. The institution was chartered in 1962 as UC Employees Credit Union to serve Union Carbide employees, expanded to additional employer groups in 1983, was renamed Foothills Federal Credit Union in 2001, and received a three-county community charter in November 2005. It operates three physical branches (Loudon Main Office, Sweetwater, Lenoir City) supported by an 11-50 employee headcount, with all deposits federally insured to $250,000 by the NCUA through the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund.

The core product set spans savings and checking accounts (Smart Draft, Smart Earner, Smart Senior, Smart Student variants), share certificates and IRA accounts, Visa credit and debit cards, and a lending book covering mortgages, HELOCs, personal loans starting at $100, and auto/boat/RV/motorcycle financing. Technology is built on a standard credit union banking platform with online banking, a Mobile Money smartphone app, SMS text banking, and the CO-OP Shared Branching network providing access to over 20,000 surcharge-free ATMs nationwide. Notable integrations include Zelle for P2P payments and Velera IDCheck for selfie/ID verification at shared branch transactions (announced May 2025).

Revenue is generated primarily through net interest spread on loans and deposits, with secondary streams from Visa interchange, account and service fees (including a $25 Skip-A-Pay fee, wire transfers, notary services, safety deposit boxes, and money orders), and referral commissions from TruStage insurance and Peachtree Planning financial services. Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer through branches, online and mobile self-service channels, social media presence on Facebook and Instagram, and text-message marketing, supported by community charter membership eligibility and word-of-mouth among the local employer groups.

Name

Foothills Federal Credit Union

Legal name

Foothills Federal Credit Union

Website

https://foothillsfcu.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1962

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Foothills Federal Credit Union is a federally chartered, member-owned credit union serving consumers in Loudon, Monroe, and Blount Counties in East Tennessee through three branches, offering savings, checking, lending, Visa cards, and insurance referrals under NCUA oversight.

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)

akta.pro secondary industry

Employer/Occupational Credit Unions (FSABAEAB)

Keywords

• Retail banking services
• Consumer lending
• Savings accounts
• Credit union membership
• Mortgage loans

Headquarters

HQ city

Loudon

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Interest Income: Interest earned on loans including mortgages, auto loans, personal loans, and credit cards. Primary revenue stream for credit union.
2. Account Fees and Service Charges: Various fees including Skip-A-Pay processing fees ($25), wire transfers, notary services, safety deposit boxes, and money orders
3. Credit Card Interchange: Transaction fees from Visa credit and debit card usage across the CO-OP ATM and shared branch network
4. Share Certificate and Savings Interest: Interest paid to members on deposits; credit union earns spread between loan interest rates and deposit rates
5. Insurance Referral Commissions: Referral arrangements with TruStage insurance products (auto, life, AD&D) and Peachtree Planning for financial services

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Foothills Federal Credit Union is a not-for-profit, member-owned financial cooperative that provides consumer banking products and services including savings accounts, checking accounts, Visa credit and debit cards, mortgages, auto loans, personal loans, and insurance products. It serves members in Loudon, Monroe, and Blount Counties in East Tennessee through three branch locations supplemented by online, mobile, and text banking channels.

Product overview

Foothills Federal Credit Union offers a comprehensive suite of financial products and services through a community credit union model. The core offerings include savings and checking accounts (with Smart Draft, Smart Earner, Smart Senior, and Smart Student variants), Visa credit and debit cards, and lending products spanning mortgages, home equity, and vehicle loans. Additional services include online and mobile banking, insurance products through TruStage, financial planning via Peachtree Planning, and ancillary services such as wire transfers, notary services, and financial calculators. The credit union primarily serves members in Loudon, Monroe, and Blount Counties in Tennessee.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Savings Services Savings accounts including Smart Savings Account with $5 minimum balance, Christmas and Vacation Club Accounts, Smart Budget Account, Certificates of Deposit with 6-month to 3-year terms, and IRA Accounts (Traditional, Roth, SEP, Coverdell ESA). Available to credit union members.
• Checking Services Multiple checking account options including Smart Draft Checking (no monthly fees), Smart Earner Checking (interest-bearing with $1,500 minimum), Smart Senior Checking (age 55+ with free checks and no monthly service charge), and Smart Student Checking (full-time students with no monthly service charge).
• Visa Credit and Debit Cards Visa credit cards with variable rates as low as 8.00% APR, no annual fees, and no cash advance fees. Visa debit cards with access to over 20,000 surcharge-free ATM locations and instant card issuance. Available to credit union members.
• Lending Products Comprehensive consumer lending including fixed-rate mortgages (10-20 year terms), second mortgages, Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC), secured and unsecured personal loans starting at $100, new and used vehicle financing (36-84 month terms) as low as 4.99% APR, and boat/RV/motorcycle loans. GAP insurance and extended service contracts available.
• Insurance Services Insurance products offered through TruStage Insurance Agency including auto insurance, AD&D, and life insurance, plus financial planning and wealth management services through Peachtree Planning. Marketed alongside credit union services to members.
• Online Banking 24/7 self-service digital banking platform offering account viewing, money transfers between accounts, bill payment, e-statements, and access to Mobile Money smartphone application for on-the-go banking. Zelle P2P payment integration included for fast money transfers.
• Extra Services Additional member services including money orders, fax service, cashier's checks, free notary service, safety deposit boxes, wire transfers, discount tickets to area attractions, and the Round Up and Save savings program. Check reordering also available through Harland Clarke partnership.

Quantifiable outcome

• Member savings on typical auto loan vs industry average
• +1 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration10 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and peripheral.

• Velera (IDCheck)coreTechnology or Integration · 1 May 2025IDCheck by Velera is a fraud prevention measure for Shared Branching transactions. Uses selfie and state-issued ID photo verification to confirm member identity before transactions at shared branch locations.
• CO-OP Financial ServicescoreTechnology or IntegrationCO-OP provides the Shared Branching network access allowing members to conduct transactions at over 20,000 surcharge-free ATMs and shared branches nationwide. Also provides the CO-OP ATM locator service and VISA debit/credit card processing network.
• VisacoreTechnology or IntegrationVISA provides credit and debit card processing services for Foothills FCU. Provides Visa Credit Cards with lower than average interest rates and no annual fees, plus Visa Debit Cards with access to over 20,000 no-fee locations.
• ZellecoreTechnology or IntegrationZelle is integrated into the Foothills FCU online banking platform to provide members with fast P2P payment capabilities for money transfers between bank accounts.
• TruStage InsuranceperipheralChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTruStage Insurance Agency provides auto insurance, AD&D, and life insurance products offered through Foothills FCU. Products are marketed alongside credit union services but are not NCUA insured.
• Peachtree PlanningperipheralChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPeachtree Planning (Donny Crass) provides financial planning and wealth management services to Foothills FCU members. Located at 8351 E. Walker Springs Lane, Suite 401, Knoxville, TN 37923. Serving the Southeast since 1987.
• NADA (National Automobile Dealers Association)peripheralTechnology or IntegrationNADA provides vehicle valuation and pricing information used by Foothills FCU to determine values for auto loans using MSRP or Factory Invoice for new vehicles and NADA book value for used vehicles.
• Auto ExamperipheralChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuto Exam provides extended vehicle service contracts and warranties that can be added to auto loans through Foothills FCU. Coverage may save members money compared to dealer plans.
• Harland ClarkeperipheralTechnology or IntegrationHarland Clarke provides check ordering services for Foothills FCU members, allowing online check reordering through the credit union website.
• TurboTaxperipheralChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTurboTax tax preparation services are offered through the Love My Credit Union partnership, allowing members to save up to $15 on TurboTax products.
• Sallie MaeperipheralChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSallie Mae college loan products are offered through Foothills FCU website to help members get money for school expenses.
• National Credit Union Administration (NCUA)coreOthersNCUA is the federal regulatory agency that governs Foothills FCU. Deposits are insured up to $250,000 by the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund (NCUSIF). Also provides Share Insurance Calculator tool.
• Tennessee Credit Union LeagueperipheralOthersState association membership for Tennessee credit unions. Foothills FCU is a member of both the Tennessee Credit Union League and the Knoxville Area Chapter of Credit Unions.
• AdobeperipheralTechnology or IntegrationAdobe Acrobat Reader is required to view and print Foothills FCU newsletters, loan applications, and other PDF documents on the website.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Navy Federal Credit Union: Largest U.S. credit union with nationwide digital capabilities, no-fee products, and competitive rates that increasingly compete with small community credit unions even in their chartered territories.
• First Horizon Bank: Largest Tennessee-headquartered commercial bank offering the full suite of consumer deposits, lending, and digital banking services that competes with Foothills for member households across the same service area.
• Regions Bank: Major Southeast regional bank with significant branch and digital presence in East Tennessee, competing for consumer deposits, mortgages, and personal lending against community credit unions like Foothills.

Direct peers

• Ascend Federal Credit Union: Tennessee-headquartered federally chartered credit union serving Middle Tennessee with a similar community-based membership model and consumer banking/lending product set.
• Eastman Credit Union: Tennessee community credit union originating from Eastman employer groups, now serving a multi-county geographic charter with consumer banking, lending, and digital services comparable to Foothills' structure.
• Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union: Tennessee-headquartered federally chartered credit union serving multiple counties in East and Middle Tennessee with comparable consumer deposit, lending, and digital banking products.
• ORNL Federal Credit Union: Federally chartered community credit union headquartered in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, also serving the East Tennessee region with a comparable mix of consumer deposits, lending, and digital banking services, making it the closest geographic and business-model peer.
• Y-12 Federal Credit Union: Federally chartered Tennessee credit union based in Oak Ridge serving East Tennessee with similar community-charter consumer banking and lending offerings.
• Knoxville TVA Employees Credit Union: Community-focused credit union serving the Knoxville/East Tennessee area with consumer banking, lending, and digital services, overlapping directly with Foothills' Loudon/Monroe/Blount County service area.

Emerging players

• Alliant Credit Union: Online-focused national credit union offering high-yield deposits and lending products to members nationwide, representing the digital-only competitive threat to small community-charter institutions like Foothills.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfoothillsfcu.org/links_facebook.htm
• Instagramfoothillsfcu.org/links_instagram.htm
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/foothills-federal-credit-union

Compliance3 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 Foothills Federal Credit Union