About Us
Democracy FCU exists solely to serve our members. Our goal is to help our members achieve their financial goals by offering competitive interest rates and affordable services.
History of Democracy FCU
Democracy Federal Credit Union received its charter on May 26, 1936, just two years after the passage of the Federal Credit Union Act. The charter was originally issued in the name of Social Security Employees Federal Credit Union. The name was changed to FSA Employees Federal Credit Union in 1946, and to HEW Employees Federal Credit Union in 1955. In March 1984, Employees was deleted and our name changed to HEW Federal Credit Union. Recognizing our democratic structure and principles and our growing family of members, we became Democracy Federal Credit Union on January 1, 2015.
Membership eligibility was initially limited to employees of the Social Security Board in Washington, D.C. and their immediate families. Numerous government reorganizations and subsequent amendments to our charter over the years have brought the Credit Union to its current position serving the employees of the Departments of Health and Human Services (formerly Health, Education & Welfare), Department of Education and employees of other agencies and their families. Democracy FCU also serves people in many underserved areas of the Washington metro area.
The growth of Democracy FCU has been notable. It's interesting to note that it took 36 years for the Credit Union to reach its first $10 million in assets and a membership of 12,000. Yet just 14 years later (1986) when the Credit Union celebrated its 50th birthday, assets had jumped to $39 million reflecting an increase of nearly 300% with membership at 26,000. In 2001, Democracy FCU surpassed the $100 million mark in assets.
The Credit Union presently operates out of 5 offices:
- HHS Main Branch - Washington, D.C.
- Philadelphia Public Ledger Branch
- OHA Skyline Branch - VA
- Silver Hill Branch - MD
- Alexandria Branch - VA
- Executive Offices, also located in Alexandria, VA, house our member services, credit card, lending, accounting, and marketing departments.
The Value of Credit Union Membership
Credit Unions offer consumers an alternative to stockholder-owned banks and other for profit financial services institutions. Democracy FCU is owned by the members who have deposited funds into the credit union. As a not-for-profit financial services cooperative we exist to help our members succeed financially. Our earnings are used to offer members lower loan rates, competitive investment rates, financial education and a staff committed to service.
Democracy FCU Leadership
Board of Directors
- Patricia Ellis, Chairman
- Lolita Priestly McLean, Vice Chairman
- Samantha Ferbish, Secretary and Treasurer
- Lester Austin, Member
- Barbara Hunt, Member
- Lynda Perez, Member
- Armando Savet, Member
- Donna Scott, Member
- Edward Stoffle, Member
The Executive Team
- Kathleen Geary, President/CEO
- Gloria Bowden, Executive Vice President
- Jennifer Womack, Vice President - Finance
- Andrena Smith, Vice President - Operations
Supervisory Committee
- Barbara Hunt, Chairman
- Beatrix Fields, Member
- Batina Wills-Washington, Member
The Democracy FCU Mission
Mission Statement
Democracy Federal Credit Union is committed to providing our members with the products, services and guidance needed to meet their financial goals. Vital to our success is the ability to gain the trust and confidence of our members by providing competent, caring service. Our goal is to exceed our members’ expectations in our commitment to their financial success.
Our Core Values
Our core values are focused on member service and service to our community.
Member Education
Democracy Federal Credit Union is committed to offering financial education to our members and to members of the community through one-on-one counseling efforts, seminars and financial education programs geared to youth and adults.
Involvement/Governance
Democracy Federal Credit Union will preserve credit union democratic principles, including demographic representation and volunteer participation in credit union activities.
Diversity
Democracy Federal Credit Union recognizes the value of demographic diversity in staff as well as in volunteers, and will strive to bring people of diverse backgrounds and experiences into leadership and other roles at the credit union.
Commitment to the Credit Union Movement and other Cooperative Activities
Democracy Federal Credit Union works to build and strengthen our unique credit union movement by providing financial and in-kind resources to others within the credit union community, and by actively advocating the credit union difference at all levels of the government and in other appropriate public forums.