Blog

Each year, as credit unions around the world celebrate International Credit Union Day, we’re reminded of what makes our movement truly special. It’s more than a day on the calendar, it’s a celebration of community, cooperation, and the idea that together, we can build stronger financial futures.

At the heart of that idea is a simple truth: credit unions exist to serve people, not profit.

People Helping People

Credit unions were founded on the belief that financial institutions should put people first. Unlike banks, which are owned by shareholders who expect profits, credit unions are owned by their Members, the very people who save, borrow, and build their futures with us.

Every Member is also an owner, which means your voice matters. Each year, our Members elect a volunteer Board of Directors—people from within our own community who serve because they believe in our mission, not because of a paycheck. These volunteers help guide the direction of the credit union and ensure that every decision supports our Members, not outside investors.

Local Roots. Real Relationships.

At State Employees Credit Union (State ECU), our story began nearly 70 years ago when a small group of New Mexico state workers came together to create something better for themselves and their coworkers. With a shared vision, they built a cooperative grounded in trust and community from a desk drawer.

That same spirit continues today. We’re still locally governed, still Member-focused, and still driven by the belief that when we work together, everyone benefits.

Affordable, Accessible, and Member-Focused

Becoming part of State ECU only takes $5. That small deposit makes you more than a customer; it makes you a Member-owner with a voice in how your credit union operates.

As a Member, you’ll enjoy all the benefits of a modern financial institution, like secure digital tools, competitive loan and deposit rates, and personalized service, all backed by a cooperative model that prioritizes people over profits.

A Different Kind of Financial Institution

When you choose a credit union, you’re choosing a financial partner that values community over corporate gain. You’re supporting a local institution where every decision, every dollar, and every program is designed to strengthen the Members we serve and the New Mexico communities we call home.

At State ECU, we’re proud to carry forward that mission of people helping people. The same mission that started in a desk drawer nearly seven decades ago continues to guide us today.

Because banking shouldn’t be about profits.
It should be about people.

Become a Member today!