Built on decades of service, shared values, and the cooperative spirit of people helping people, Self Reliance Financial Federal Credit Union (SRFFCU) formed from two credit unions that shared deep roots in the Ukrainian American community.
The story begins in 1947 when the Selfreliance Association of Ukrainian Americans was founded in New York City to support newly arrived immigrants. Over time, the Association expanded nationwide and helped establish Ukrainian American credit unions across the country.
Self Reliance New York Federal Credit Union, headquartered in New York City and founded in 1951 with just 37 members and $314.25 in deposits, expanded into a credit union serving 5 locations throughout metropolitan New York City and Kerhonkson, New York serving more than 14,000 members and managing over $1 billion in assets.
In 1952, Ukrainian Selfreliance Federal Credit Union was founded in Philadelphia. Over the decades, the credit union expanded to six locations throughout greater Philadelphia, Trenton, New Jersey, and Baltimore, Maryland to serve more than 17,000 members with over $500 million in assets.
On October 1, 2025, the two credit unions united under one name and mission – Self Reliance Financial FCU. Today, our credit union serves over 31,000 members across dozens of states with branch offices in Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.
Our history is a shared experience of serving and assisting thousands of community members looking for their first home, car, and savings opportunity. We look forward to getting to know you better and trust that our history will provide you with the assurance that we will meet your financial needs.
The formation of the Self Reliance Financial Federal Credit Union (SRFFCU) marks a defining moment for two institutions whose histories run deep in the Ukrainian‑American community. Built on decades of service, shared values, and the cooperative principle of “people helping people,” the merger unites two powerful legacies under one name and one mission. The newly formed credit union now carries its founders’ work forward with a renewed focus on carrying on unity, purpose, and community strength.
The story begins in 1947, when the Selfreliance Association of Ukrainian Americans was established in New York City to assist newly arrived Ukrainian immigrants. Over time, the Association expanded nationwide, creating local branches that sponsor the formation of Ukrainian American credit unions.
From this movement emerged two of the country’s most prominent Ukrainian American financial institutions.
Self Reliance New York Federal Credit Union was founded in 1951, when 37 members of the Selfreliance Association of American Ukrainians deposited $314.25 to establish the first Ukrainian credit union in the United States created by newly arrived immigrants. With support from the Association’s New York Branch, it grew steadily over the decades into a major financial institution, serving more than 15,000 members and managing over $1 billion in assets, all while remaining dedicated to empowering the Ukrainian American community.
A year later, in 1952, Ukrainian Selfreliance Federal Credit Union (UKRFCU), originally chartered as the Philadelphia Federal Credit Union, was established with 223 members and $52,000 in deposits. Over the following decades, it adopted the name Ukrainian Selfreliance Federal Credit Union and expanded to serve more than 16,000 members with over $500 million in assets, continuing its longstanding dedication to supporting and strengthening its community.
The merger of Self Reliance New York Federal Credit Union and Ukrainian Selfreliance Federal Credit Union on October 1, 2025, created Self Reliance Financial Federal Credit Union, a unified institution already demonstrating strong growth. At the time of the merger, the combined credit union held $1.9 billion in assets. Today, it has surpassed the $2 billion milestone, a reflection of member confidence and the strong foundation established through unification.
SRFFCU now proudly serves more than 31,000 members across Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, supported by regional centers in New York City and suburban Philadelphia.
Two Histories, One Shared Mission
Although they grew in different regions, both institutions were built around many of the same values:
- Community support
- Member service
- Financial stability
- A lasting commitment to Ukrainian Americans
Together, they brought more than 145 years of combined history into a single future-focused organization.
Become Part of the Story
Join SRFFCU and become part of a credit union shaped by generations of service, community connection, and member-first support.