Our History
Genesee Co-op FCU is a non-profit, member-owned financial institution. Founded in 1981 by people dissatisfied with the corporate banking world, they decided to create a cooperative and socially responsible financial institution to serve the community. When you join, you become a member-owner of Genesee Co-op, which gives you the opportunity to become part of our decision-making process. All member-owners are allowed one vote in the annual election of our volunteer Board of Directors. Plan on coming to our annual meeting where we celebrate our yearly accomplishments, our wonderful members and our evolving story!
1979 - 1981
Local activist Alison Clarke convinced David Knoll to research and lead the effort to start a community credit union. In December 1981 Genesee Co-op FCU receives our federal charter from the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA).
1982
On January 19th the new CU accepts our first deposits. At year-end we have 143 members with $84,000 in deposits and $29,000 in loans.
1984
The CU begins its efforts to expand by adding like-minded associational groups to the field of membership. Genesee Co-op becomes one of the smallest credit unions in the country to offer share draft checking to its members. At year end we have 292 members with $245,000 in deposits and $109,000 in loans.
1987
Genesee Co-op begins mortgage lending with our partner, CUC Mortgage Corp. At year end we have 555 members with $813,000 in deposits and $541,000 in loans.
1991
Genesee Co-op starts making student loans which quickly account for about 25% of the CU's loans. At year end we have 805 members with $1.7 million in deposits and $1.2 million in loans.
1992
At 10 years-old, our credit union is one of the smallest in the country to offer a debit card to our members. We have 1,028 members with $2.5 million in deposits and $1.5 million in loans.
1996
Genesee Co-op joins the National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions and receives our low-income designation from the NCUA, which recognizes the CU serves a majority of low-income members. The CU begins to recruit people to serve as VISTA volunteers working at the CU to help with financial education and programs to increase the financial assets of members through home and business ownership.
1997
At 15 years-old, we add a 24-hour Telephone Banking System. The CU begins its Homeownership Individual Development Accounts (IDA) Program. We have 1,534 members with $3.5 million in savings and $2.3 million in loans.
1998
Genesee Co-op FCU adds a second location on South Avenue, giving us a first-floor, neighborhood office, expanding into the Southwedge. The Money Management Mentor program is started. The US Department of the Treasury awards Genesee Co-op a $50,000 technical assistance grant.
2000
After 18 years, Genesee Co-op FCU closes its original Monroe Avenue location and consolidates operations at the South Avenue office. Active Website debuts and provides members with the ability to view account history over the internet. We have 1,827 members with $4.2 million in savings and $4.3 million in loans.
2001
The US Treasury Department’s CDFI Funds awards the credit union a $200,000 grant to further its community development work in Rochester. The CU launches our Microenterprise IDA and Lending Programs, which assists 25 very low-income women entrepreneurs with financial literacy training, business training and $1000 matching business grants . As we begin our 20 th year, we have 1,951 members with $4.7 million in savings and $4.1 million in loans.
2002
20 participants in the Homeownership IDA program have purchased their first home and over 65 members have benefited from the counseling offered by Money Management Mentors. A deposit from the National Federation of CDCU’s and grants from Empire State Development Corp. help the CU offer loans to minority and women-owned entrepreneurs. After 20 years as the founding General Manager/CEO, David Knoll steps down to work part-time for the CU.
2005
Genesee Co-op FCU moves into the beautifully renovated Weider Hall building at 395 Gregory Street, completing a two-year process led by the Board of Directors to move the credit union to a larger facility. We begin featuring member artwork in the CU lobby. At year end, we have 2,442 members with $6.3 million in savings and $4.9 million in loans.
2006
The CU launches Online Banking, giving members access to their accounts for transaction services. Genesee Co-op FCU begins to have a student intern from Edison Tech and a summer intern thru the National Academy of Finance and the Rochester City School District. ESL FCU assists Genesee Co-op FCU with support for the summer intern.
2007
Genesee Co-op celebrates our 25TH ANNIVERSARY hosting a Summer Party at the Highland Bowl. In October, we unveil our new 24 hour ATM in our lobby and begin offering share certificates. ESL FCU provides a no-interest, long-term deposit at the CU to enable us to offer our share certificate program. At year end, we have 2,498 members with 6.9 million in savings and $5.5 million in loans.
2008
Genesee Co-op FCU offers our second-year of Free Income Tax Preparation as a partner site with the C.A.S.H. Coalition (Creating Assets, Savings and Hope). We provide tax preparation for 100 individuals and families who receive $130,000 in tax refunds and $60,000 in earned income tax credits with the help of five volunteers.
2009
Genesee Co-op FCU witnesses a very strong year of growth for the CU, increasing to $8.8 million in savings and $7 million in loans with 2,615 members. The CU receives a grant to upgrade our website.
2013
Genesee Co-op made the switch from Mastercard to VISA debit cards. The image on each card is the artwork of members Don and Cheryl Olney and the original can be seen in the lobby. In the mortgage department the Co-op also began the First Home Club. The program rewarded eligible savers with a 4-to-1 matching grant for every dollar they save which goes towards down payment and closing costs. The Co-op also acquired a new ATM located at the branch that is free of charge when using Genesee co-op debit cards.
2018
Our Founder David Knoll retired after over 35 years at the credit union at the end of the year. The Co-op was awarded a $600,000 grant from the CDFI Fund of the US Treasury Department to support our work, focusing on lending to First-time Homebuyers and anti-predatory auto lending.
2019
Long-time Chief of Operations Kathy Stiokas retired after over 12 years with the credit union. For the first time the Co-op participated in the Homebuyer Dream Program, the new First-time Homebuyer program of the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York. The Co-op helped two members buy houses in the City of Rochester with $15,000 grants from the program.
2022
Genesee Co-op celebrated our 40th anniversary, reaching $35 million in assets and over 4,000 members. Genesee Co-op purchased Weider Hall, our building from former owner John Trickey, who restored the building and 3rd floor ballroom to a beautiful state. Genesee Co-op was also awarded $2 million in secondary capital from the Treasury Department's Emergency Capital Investment Program to support our working lending in low-income and majority-minority communities.
Our Members make the difference.
Member Since 1982
"I've been a member since the Credit Union was just Dave Knoll with a cardtable in the hallway of the old Genesee Coop on Saturday mornings. I've never been tempted to go anywhere else since that time, even though I now live thirty miles away. I like dealing with nice staff who know my name, who are eager to help, and who are dedicated to financial literacy and empowerment. Plus, it's good to know that my money is being used to invest in people rather than fill the pockets of the wealthiest.
In addition to savings and checking I've turned to the credit union for debit cards, line-of-credit, auto financing, on-line banking, and a home mortgage. I've now financed at least four cars through the credit union, and I've successfully encouraged friends to do the same.
One of my boldest statements ever in the face of raw financial power was when the car dealer required me to sit through a presentation on their financing. My response: "I'm a loyal credit union member, and I'll stick with it even if you offer me zero percent. If I ever get in trouble, the Credit Union will help me work it out, but you guys'll just send the collection agent after me." The guy just gulped and that was that.
Yee-hah!
And I don't want to forget to mention that as a Credit Union member I get to vote. Real democracy - awesome!
Genesee Co-op Federal Credit Union - it's the best deal in town!"