History

In Your Community Since 1955

We began in 1955 as St Mary’s Credit Union, a credit union for catholic families in Hamilton. We were New Zealand’s first affiliated credit union and our success was thanks to the dedicated volunteers who rallied together to promote the “people helping people” philosophy.

St Mary’s Credit Union paid out its first loan of 100 pounds in August 1955. By that time the credit union had 70 members. 

In 1992 we opened our doors to the people of Hamilton and the wider Waikato area and changed our name to Credit Union Hamilton.

In 2007 we changed our name again – to First Credit Union. Our name was changed to reflect our aim, to be your first choice for loans and personal banking.

Even though we have had a few name changes things remain the same – we’re still owned by our members and offer low fees, great rates on savings and low cost personal loans.