About Us
Where every story matters.
Your Story
is Our Mission!
our core values
Unity
I will care and collaborate.
Innovation
I will be your solution advocate.
Community
I will support and participate.
Authenticity
I will be honest and present.
Relationships
I will treat you with respect.
Empowerment
I will take ownership.
Why a Credit Union
Credit Unions are not-for-profit financial institutions that exist to serve their members. Like banks, credit unions accept deposits, fund loans, and provide a wide array of other financial services. But as member-owned, cooperative institutions, credit unions provide a safe place to save and borrow at reasonable rates.
You are more than a member, you are part owner!
Credit Unions are owned and operated by the members, who are using their services.
Your vote counts. A volunteer board of directors is elected by members to manage a credit union.
Credit Unions support local schools, businesses, and community members. We give back 5% of our profit each year, through our Great River Gives Back Program.
Credit unions operate to promote the well-being of their members.
Profits made by credit unions are returned to members in the form of reduced fees, higher savings rates, and lower loan rates.
Members often have shared interests and appreciate participating in an institution designed to help other members.
Our History
Our credit union was originally chartered in 1948 as Machinists Federal Credit Union. The credit union served the needs of the employees of the refrigerator factory, Franklin Manufacturing.
In 1964, the charter was expanded to include several other trades groups and the credit union’s name was changed to St. Cloud T & L Credit Union. Our field of membership was primarily members of local trade and labor unions. As time went on, more and more employer groups other than the trade and labor unions were able to join the credit union.
In 1999, we changed our name to Great River Federal Credit Union to better reflect our field of membership. Not only were we serving the needs of the Trades and Labor Union workers, we were serving the needs of employees from over 80 employer groups in the state of Minnesota, where the “Great River” begins.
In April of 2001, Great River Federal Credit Union became a community credit union expanding our field of membership to include the tri-county area of Benton, Sherburne, and Stearns counties in the State of Minnesota.
In May 2021, we joined the American Consumer Council (ACC), a non-profit membership organization dedicated to consumer education, advocacy, and financial literacy. This allowed us to expand our field of membership to include anyone who joins the ACC (there is no cost to you). In addition to the ACC Membership, anyone who has a relative that is a member of Great River, or anyone who works at one of our Select Employer Groups (SEG) is eligible to become a member. What’s more, once you are a member, any of your immediate family members also qualify for membership. That includes siblings, parents, and children. At Great River, we follow the motto, “once a member, always a member.” So even if you move, you can still be a Great River member, and conveniently do all of your business online. We are able to be the primary financial institution for anyone, regardless of where life takes them.
2022 was an exciting year as we merged with two credit unions! On February 1st we merged with GEM Federal Credit Union of Minot, ND, and on March 1st, we merged with Four Flags Areas Credit Union of Niles, MI. These mergers provided our collective members with more physical reach, a wider range of products and services, as well as additional support and expertise.
Our goal is to continue to expand our footprint while providing exceptional service to our members whether it is in person, or through our convenient online and mobile options.
1999
We changed our name to Great River Federal Credit Union to better reflect our field of membership. Not only were we serving the needs of the Trades and Labor Union workers, we were serving the needs of employees from over 80 employer groups in the state of Minnesota, where the “Great River” begins.
Financial Education
For Our Members
Open your Savings Account to become a Member!
Open Online
Complete our online membership
application within minutes!
Schedule an Appointment
Speak with a Member Advisor via Great River
Go Live video chat or at a branch.
Don't forget to bring a form of Identification
- One has to be a state identification card, driver’s license, or passport (please note if your address isn’t valid on your ID, you are required to provide proof of address).
Membership
Explore the benefits of being a Great River member.
Great River Gives Back
See some of the great things we do for our community!
BECOME A MEMBER
Your story may bring you here in celebration, because of exciting future plans, or a life changing event. Maybe you are struggling and looking for help, or perhaps going to the credit union is an errand in your day. All of these stories matter to us!