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Palmetto Citizens Federal Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial institution serving the citizens of a six county area around Columbia, SC, including Richland, Lexington, Kershaw, Fairfield, Calhoun and Saluda Counties of South Carolina. As a credit union, Palmetto Citizens is regulated under the authority of the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) of the U.S. federal government. As a credit union, they do not have stockholders like banks and can return earnings to their member-owners in the form of higher savings rates, lower loan rates and fewer fees.
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As of April 2016, Palmetto Citizens serves over 61,000 members with assets over $700 million.
History
Palmetto Citizens Federal Credit Union, formerly known as Columbia (SC) Teachers FCU, is located in Columbia, South Carolina and was organized and issued a federal charter on June 4, 1936. Ten individuals each deposited $5.00 to begin the credit union which only served the employees of Columbia Public Schools.
In later years, after the school system was divided by counties, the credit union expanded its field of membership to include the major school districts and most area private schools. Deregulation in the 1980s permitted the credit union to accept groups and organizations outside the education field, which gave even more people the benefit of credit union membership.
In 2001 the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), an agency of the federal government that oversees all federally chartered credit unions, met and gave approval for this credit union to become a community based credit union. Palmetto Citizens was the first credit union in South Carolina to be granted a multi-county community charter. This approval meant anyone who lives, works, worships, attends school, is part of a related business or has immediate family relations in Richland, Lexington, Newberry and Fairfield Counties could join Palmetto Citizens.
In 2015 the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) approved a change to the field of membership for Palmetto Citizens. This approval meant anyone who lives, works, worships, attends school, is part of a related business or has immediate family relations in Richland, Lexington, Kershaw, Fairfield, Calhoun and Saluda Counties of South Carolina Counties could join Palmetto Citizens.
Today, Palmetto Citizens is one of South Carolina's larger credit unions, serving over 61,000 members with assets over $700 million.
In 2007, Money Magazine cited Palmetto Citizens as having the best deal in the United States for a 4-year auto loan. In 2008-2015 Palmetto Citizens was recognized by the readers of The State Newspaper as "The Best Credit Union" in the Midlands area.
In 2010-2015, Palmetto Citizens was names as one of the Best Places to Work in South Carolina by the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce and SCBIZ.
Membership
Palmetto Citizens Federal Credit Union membership is open to any individual who lives, works, worships or attends school in Richland, Lexington, Kershaw, Fairfield, Calhoun or Saluda Counties of South Carolina. Members who have immediate family within this four-county area, may be eligible to join as well. Membership may also be available to businesses and legal entities operating in this area.
To begin a membership at Palmetto Citizens, you must open a primary savings account with as little as $25. This deposit will make you a member-owner of the credit union and gain you access to their products and services.