County employees may soon join Habersham Federal Credit Union

Mark Alley, president and chief executive officer of Habersham Federal Credit Union, made a presentation to the commissioners about the credit union. The credit union was organized in 1978 to serve Habersham County Schools employees. In 1983, the Banks County School System joined the credit union. Alley stated there are 172 credit unions in Georgia and Habersham Federal is number 105 out of 172.
“We have $9.2 million in assets,” Alley said.

The benefit of the credit union is free. There is no cost to the county.

Alley stated the only thing needed from the county is: Allow a payroll deduction for those wishing to join, allow a credit union representative to visit on site with promotions and designate one employee to promote the credit union to employees.

Alley said, “Our mission is member focused, member driven. Today and tomorrow. I predict 50 to 60 percent of your employees will participate over time.”

To join, a member needs to deposit a minimum of $25.

“There is a $1 membership fee,” Alley said.

Some of the services offered by the credit union are: Savings accounts, free checking, Visa debit card, Christmas club, Uncle Sam club, individual retirement accounts (IRAs), certificates of deposit (CDs), automated teller machine (ATM), night deposit, payroll deduction, free on-line banking, free on-line bill pay, free financial counseling, direct deposit, auto loans, personal and share secured loans, computer loans, recreational vehicle loans and mortgage loans.

“Only credit union members are eligible for loans,” Alley said.

Membership is open to employees and family members living in the same household.

In making the motion to authorize Dalton to sign the letter to participate and offer the credit union to county employees, commissioner Joe Barefoot said, “As a member of the Habersham Federal Credit Union for many years through the (Banks County) school system, I feel like we should offer this to our employees.”