Become a member
They say your goals are out of reach. That your background is too “risky.” That the community you believe in doesn’t exist. That the economic justice you long for is impossible. We say, welcome. Credit union membership at Genesee Co-op will prove them wrong – and your most daring dreams right.
How to become a member
Becoming a member of our credit union is easy!
Confirm your membership eligibility options.
You can join our credit union if you live in one of our qualifying neighborhoods or belong to one of our affiliate community organizations.
Still not eligible? We can help you join. Message or call us to get started.
Call to make an appointment.
You can reach us at 585-461-2230 during the following business hours to set up a time to come in and open an account.
- Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs 10am-5pm
- Fri 10am-6pm
-
Bring the right materials to your appointment.
You’ll need these items to open an account:
- Valid Government Issued Photo ID (such as a Driver's License)
- Social Security Card or Number
- $15 in cash ($10 new member fee, $5 to deposit into savings account
- If you want to order checks for a share draft/checking account, please bring an additional $18.50 to deposit for the check order.
Membership changed their lives
I turn to Genesee Co-op anytime I need financial help. What I love is that they helped me understand the lending process and educated me on financial tools that allow me to secure financing. They helped me get an affordable car loan, open my business, and recently helped with a Paycheck Protection Program loan.
I had a wonderful experience with this credit union. Everyone from the tellers to the loan officers and even management have been super kind and receptive to my needs. The process itself was incredibly easy and the rates can't be beat.
When I first came to the credit union and talked to one gentleman, he was so amicable and welcomed me with a warm reception. I have stayed solely because of the employees. All of them, without any discrimination are welcoming, friendly, amicable people.
We need more credit unions like this. Big or small these folks help all. I have been a member a long time and I think we need to remember local markets and local companies don't always have the resources as the big guys. Sometimes its helpful if we take into consideration the mission of credit unions like this and the people they help. Not all times is going to be super easy but I know that its helping My people right here in Rochester NY not helping some equity position far, far away. Thank you for having us as members.
It's important to me to know that my money supports a non-profit, community-based, socially-responsible saving and lending institution. Now more than ever, we need alternatives to the mega-banks that have made such a mess of our economy.
The credit union looks at the things happening in your life and works with you. They know that people don't fail because they are not working on their life. Sometimes things just happen. I would like to get my next mortgage through them. I love them, they just fit my needs.
As a small business owner I know how important relationships are - unlike other financial institutions Genesee Co-op feels like a community. In 2021 I was able to buy a home with their help.
When we moved to Rochester, we heard about Genesee Co-op from friends. We were so happy to find a credit union that shared our values and could help us buy our first home.
This little bank is amazing. They treat you like family and genuinely care about your financial help. Best bank I've used.
I joined the credit union because my bank was starting to charge fees for different transactions and setting a minimum amount on how much you had to have in your account. People at the credit union don't wear suits and they're down to earth. When I go there, it's friendly and welcoming.
Genesee gets deep with anyone they’re going to lend to. They listen and support people who are desperate. They have successes that other credit unions are stunned by – but it’s because they take a lot of time to get to know their members. There are no barriers. Genesee creates opportunities for everyone, regardless of who you are.
We’re not a bank – we’re a credit union
Most banks reduce people to calculations of risk. At Genesee Co-op, your credit union membership comes with much more than high quality, accessible financial services. It comes with personalized care, a chance to breathe, and room to grow.
We’re here for our community.
Like other cooperatives, our credit union works for every member, no matter where you live or where you’ve been.
What that means for our members
- Access to borrowing services typically reserved for the highest credit scores
- Rochester-based perspective and community-building opportunities
We don’t have shareholders.
We have member-owners. You don’t just borrow and lend here. You elect our board, and we report to and advocate for you.
What that means for our members
- Awareness of and influence over decisions made about our credit union
- Advocacy focused on building the financial justice all Rochester residents deserve
Your success is our success.
Our success is Rochester’s. Our great rates directly benefit you, your loved ones, and the small businesses you care about.
What that means for our members
- Ways to empower and invest directly into Rochester neighborhoods
- Services tailor-made for local businesses and entrepreneurs
You are eligible to become a Genesee Co-op Federal Credit Union Member.
Most banks reduce people to calculations of risk. At Genesee Co-op, your credit union membership comes with much more than high quality, accessible financial services. It comes with personalized care, a chance to breathe, and room to grow.
By Neighborhood
You can join our credit union if you live, work, worship, attend school or own a businesses located in any of the following Rochester neighborhoods:
- Corn Hill
- Downtown
- Ellwanger-Barry
- Highland
- Neighborhood of the Arts
- Pearl-Meigs-Monroe
- Plymouth-Exchange
- South Wedge
- Strong
- Swillburg
- Upper Monroe
- Wadsworth Square
By Community Organization
You can also join our credit union if you are a member of the following community organizations:
- Amvets
- Community Darkroom
- Gay Alliance of Genesee Valley
- Genesee Co-op Natural Foodstore (dba Abundance Cooperative Market)
- Metro-Justice
- 19th Ward Community Association
- Open Sky Yoga
- Rochester Friends Monthly Meeting
- South East Area Coalition
- CWA 1170
By Family
Family members of a current Genesee Co-op member are also eligible to join, including those related by:
- Blood
- Marriage
- Domestic partnership
- Adoption
Credit union membership FAQ
When you join our credit union, you’re not just a member – you’re an owner.
In addition to accessing high quality banking services, our members elect the credit union’s Board of Directors from our membership and are invited to attend our annual membership meeting.
The benefits of becoming a member of our credit union include:
- Checking account with no minimum balance and low fees!
- Personal service - we get to know our members.
- Surcharge-free ATM access at over 30,000 locations
- Over 5,600 shared branches nationwide
- Personalized underwriting for every loan application
- Amazing rates for auto loans
- Help becoming a first-time homeowner
- Green loans to save money through energy efficiency
- Community-based advocacy and support
Our members access community-based banking services that help them to live fulfilling, sustainable lives.
Our credit union members are eligible for the following services:
- Savings and Checking
- Personal Loans & Mortgages
- Online Banking
- Wire Transfers
- Financial Resources
- Business Services & Loans
You can join Genesee Co-op if you are an individual who lives, works, worships, volunteers, attends school, or owns a business in a qualifying Rochester neighborhood.
These neighborhoods qualify you for membership at our credit union:
- Corn Hill
- Downtown
- Ellwanger-Barry
- Highland
- Neighborhood of the Arts
- Pearl-Meigs-Monroe
- Plymouth-Exchange
- South Wedge
- Strong
- Swillburg
- Upper Monroe
- Wadsworth Square
Still not eligible? We can help you join. Call us to get started.
Living in a qualified neighborhood is only one way to become eligible. If you are related to a current Genesee Co-op member, or if you work, worship, volunteer, attend school, or own a business in one of these neighborhoods, you are also eligible.
If you don’t live, work, workship, volunteer, attend school, or own a business in a qualifying Rochester neighborhood, membership in one of the following community organizations can also qualify you:
- Amvets
- Community Darkroom (now Flour City Arts Center)
- Gay Alliance of Genesee Valley
- Genesee Co-op Natural Foodstore (dba Abundance Cooperative Market)
- Metro Justice
- 19th Ward Community Association
- Open Sky Yoga
- Rochester Friends Monthly Meeting
- South East Area Coalition
- Communication Workers of America Local 1170 (CWA 1170)
You can also join if someone in your family (by blood, marriage, domestic partnership, or adoption) is a Genesee Co-op FCU member.
Still not eligible? We can help you join an organization during your appointment to become a member. Call us to get started.
The first step is giving us a call. We’ll set up an appointment for you to open an account.
You can reach us at 585-461-2230 during the following business hours to set up a time to come in and open an account:
- Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs 10am-5pm
- Fri 10am-6pm
You’ll need to bring these items to your appointment:
- Valid Government Issued Photo ID (such as a Driver's License)
- Social Security Card or Number
- $15 in cash ($10 new member fee, $5 to deposit into savings account)
- If you want to order checks for a share draft/checking account, please bring an additional $18.50 to deposit for the check order.
Although we provide banking services, Genesee Co-op is not a bank. We are a credit union.
Genesee Co-op Federal Credit Union is a:
- Community Development Credit Union (CDCU) – This means we are a special type of credit union that helps people in low-income areas. We work on projects that help the community, like building affordable housing, helping small businesses, and offering financial advice to our members.
- Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) – This means we are recognized by the U.S. government as a financial institution that serves people with low or moderate incomes. Being a CDCU helped us earn this recognition.
- Financial Cooperative, owned by local members – This means we are part of a group of organizations (like food co-ops, worker co-ops, etc.) where members are in charge. As a member, you help elect the leaders who make decisions for the credit union. You also partly own the credit union!
Banks work for their shareholders, while credit unions work for their members.
Banks are owned by shareholders (people who invest in the bank). Banks try to make a profit by providing services like savings accounts, loans, and credit cards.
Credit unions are owned by their members (the people who use the credit union). Credit unions are not trying to make a profit. Instead, they focus on helping their members with better interest rates and lower fees.
As a shared branching credit union, we are a part of network that allows our members to conduct transactions at other credit unions around the country.
We’ve been located at 395 Gregory Street, Rochester, NY in the historic building known as Weider Hall since 2005. In addition to our building on 395 Gregory Street, our members can access over 5,600 shared branches and surcharge-free ATMs at over 30,000 locations nationwide.
Find a location here.
Our members can access surcharge-free ATM access at over 30,000 locations.
Our building has a 24/7 ATM for cash withdrawals. Withdrawals are free for members using their Genesee Co-op debit card. For other cards, the fee is $1.50.
You can also search for a surcharge-free ATM located near you. ESL FCU ATMs are free in addition to those on the website.
After four free uses per month, we charge only one dollar for using an ATM we do not own.
Your credit score isn’t your story. We’ll listen and help you access the loans and high quality services that work for you.
We specialize in working with people who have been left out – or who have opted out – of cookie-cutter financial services. That means we look at your whole story, not just your credit score. We’ll work with you to make sure you get the banking support you need to reach your goals.
Become a member
At Genesee, you’re not a number. You’re a member-owner. That means the benefits from our Rochester credit union go to you. Not shareholders thousands of miles away.
What’s Happening at Genesee Co-op
The Push for Public Banking in New York
