Why VSECU?
As a values-based financial cooperative, we do things a little differently.
Mission
To improve the quality of life for all Vermonters.
Vision
To inspire a movement that brings people together to empower the possibilities for greater financial, environmental, and social prosperity.
Environmental Mission Statement
We are committed to finding opportunities within both our operations and business products to promote environmentally sound choices for our employees and our member-owners.
Inclusion Statement
We believe that our shared humanity binds us together and our differences make us stronger.
Core Values
Be real, be human, be brave, be playful, and be selfless. These core values have helped us break down silos and build a community of team players who work collaboratively to meet members’ needs.
Our triple bottom line
By banking with VSECU, you’re empowering yourself, protecting the planet, and investing in our shared community.
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People
When you join VSECU, you become a member-owner and benefit from a financial cooperative that improves the lives of Vermonters and supports stronger communities.
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Planet
Bank on your values with a credit union that protects our planet by supporting energy efficiency and sustainability with low-cost lending and environmental initiatives.
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Prosperity
Instead of extracting money from our communities, credit union profits are reinvested in our members, communities, and small businesses to support a thriving local economy.
How do we fuel positive impact?
We help you take control of your finances with innovative products and services that support a more prosperous Vermont for us all.
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Recirculating local wealth
Buying locally keeps money in our communities. The VERMONT Platinum credit card rewards members with a lower interest rate when they make Vermont-based purchases.
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Focusing on the real economy
The real economy is the part of the economy that produces “real” goods and services. For example, we’re investing in the real economy when we help a member buy a new home. If we invested those dollars in the stock market, that would be a move into the financial economy.
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Supporting environmental prosperity
Our VGreen program offers low-interest loans that reduce the overall cost of investing in solar and energy efficiency projects. Our VGreen Money Market account allows members to earn a competitive dividend on savings that help fund VGreen loans.
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Returning profits to members
The prosperity of our membership is important to us. As a not for profit credit union, we prioritize people over profit and help our members thrive by offering lower rates on loans and higher rates on savings.
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Financing small, local businesses
By lending to small businesses that often struggle to get funding from larger lending institutions, we support economic growth and local job creation.
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Supporting economic inclusion
Members with low credit scores, whether they’re just starting out or have lost credit worthiness over time, can improve their score with our Credit Builder Loan.
Your banking habits make a difference.
We’re serious about improving lives and building communities and we have the numbers to back it up. The following metrics reflect our success in 2021.
Eight cooperative principles
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Voluntary and open membership
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Democratic member control
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Members’ economic participation
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Autonomy and independence
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Education, training, and information
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Cooperation among cooperatives
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Concern for community
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Diversity, equity, and inclusion
Principles of values-based banking
Centered around people, planet, and prosperity
Grounded in communities and the real economy
Invested in long-term relationships
Long-term, self-sustaining, and resilient
Transparent and inclusive
Principles embedded in the credit union
