What is a credit union?
A credit union is a cooperative financial institution, owned and controlled by the people who use its services--these people are members. Credit unions serve groups that share something in common, such as where they live, work, or worship. These people should be able to pool their money and make loans to each other. It's an idea that evolved from cooperative activities in 19th  century Europe.

Since that time, the ideas guiding those principles have remained the same: (1) Only people who are credit union members should borrow there. (2) Loans are made for "prudent and productive" purposes. (3) A person's desire to repay--character--is considered more important than the ability--income--to repay. After all, members are borrowing their own money and that of their friends. These principles still govern most of the world's credit unions today.

As the 20th century began, the credit union idea surfaced in Canada. Canada's successful efforts profoundly influenced two Americans: Pierre Jay, the Massachusetts banking commissioner, and Edward A. Filene, a Boston merchant. The two men helped organize public hearings on credit union legislation in Massachusetts, leading to passage of the first State Credit Union Act in 1909.

Credit unions are not-for-profit and exist to provide a safe, convenient place for members to save money and to get loans at reasonable rates. Credit unions, like other financial institutions, are closely regulated, and they operate in a very prudent manner. The National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund, administered by the National Credit Union Administration, an agency of the Federal Government, insures deposits of credit union members at more than 11,000 federal and state-chartered  credit unions nationwide. Deposits are insured to at least to $100,000 and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government.

What makes a credit union different from a bank or a Savings and Loan? Like credit unions, these financial institutions accept deposits and make loans, but unlike credit unions, they are in business to make a profit. Banks and Savings and Loans are owned by groups of stockholders whose interests include earning a healthy return on their investments.

A history: Guardian First Federal Credit Union
The original charter of Guardian First Federal Credit Union was in 1939 with the name being U.S. Hospital Employees Federal Credit Union, serving the employees of the United States Public Health Service Hospital in Fort Worth, Texas. In 1968 the name was changed to Clinical Research Center Federal Credit Union. Then, in 1971, the name was changed to FCI Fort Worth Federal Credit Union. As the Credit Union expanded its services to more members, the name was changed, once again, to Bureau of Prisons Federal Credit Union in 1995 and later  shortened to BOP Federal Credit Union. Finally, in 2005, BOP Federal Credit Union adopted one last new name--Guardian First Federal Credit Union.

Credit Union mission
Guardian First Federal Credit Union is a member-owned and controlled financial cooperative that is dedicated to providing the best possible financial services to meet our members' needs. Our goal is to always provide these services in an efficient and friendly manner.

Why join a credit union?
Founded on the basic democratic premise of the cooperative movement, credit unions believe that access to low-cost financial services is critical to the health and stability of ordinary citizens. In fact, more than 67 million Americans trust that their credit union will provide the services to improve their financial well-being.

Credit union membership offers many benefits. Services offered range from simple savings, loans, and checking accounts to to IRAs and CDs. Study after study has revealed that, on average, credit unions provide the best financial offerings with fewer fees, lower rates on loans, and higher rates on savings. In addition, credit unions continually score higher than all other financial institutions in consumer satisfaction surveys.

Guardian First Federal Credit Union strives to deliver the best service possible to our most important asset--our members.

Philosophy and structure
Credit unions are democratically owned and controlled institutions based on "people helping people" principles. Credit union Boards of Directors are elected by members. Each member has an equal vote, regardless of how much he or she has on deposit. Only members may serve as directors on the Board, and Directors serve without compensation. Credit unions have no outside stockholders, so after reserves are set aside, earnings are returned to members in the form of higher dividends on savings, lower loan rates, and lower cost services.

Regulation and supervision
Guardian First Federal Credit Union was chartered under federal law. Federally chartered credit unions are regulated the by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), and independent agency of the U.S. Government. NCUA's three board members are nominated by the President of the United States and confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

How to join
Joining Guardian First Federal Credit Union is easy!

First, make sure you're eligible to join--Since all credit unions have eligibility requirements, you must first verify that you qualify to join Guardian First Federal Credit Union. To see if you're eligible, take a look at our Field of Membership (below), or call 817-534-8707 to speak with a Guardian First Federal Credit Union representative.

Second, complete an account card--There are several ways to complete an account card: (1) Mail us a request for an account card, and we will mail one to you. (2) Call the Credit Union, and request that an account card be mailed to you. (3) Fax us a request for an account card; we will need your name and address where the account card will be mailed (4) Email us a request, and include the name and address where the account card will need to be mailed (5) Stop by either Credit Union branch, and fill out an account card.

Third, establish a $25 minimum share--Since Guardian First Federal Credit Union is a financial cooperative, each member-owner must establish a $25 minimum share account to use our services. This share is federally insured and represents your part ownership. This share also enables you to vote on important Credit Union issues.

Fourth, return your completed and signed account card, copies of a Government-issued photo ID and social security card, and a check for your $25 share to Guardian First Federal Credit Union. You can bring in these items or mail them.

Field of Membership
Currently, Guardian First Federal Credit Union's filed of membership includes:

• Employees of the Department of Justice, Bureau of Prisons who work at the Federal Correctional Institution in Fort Worth, Texas;
• Other Federal employees who are permanently assigned to work at the institution;
• Employees of the state of Texas who are assigned to the hospital at the Federal Correctional Institution and work under the supervision of the hospital personnel; 
• Individual contract workers (except construction contractors) who work regularly at the Federal Correctional Institution in Fort Worth, Texas;
• Employees of the U.S. Department of Justices, Federal Bureau of Prisons, South Central Regional Office who work in Dallas, Texas;
• Employees of Federal Correctional Institutions who report to the South Central Regional Office of the Federal Bureau of Prisons in Dallas, Texas and who are not served by another Credit Union as of August 31, 1994;
• Employees of the U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Prisons, Federal Medical Center, Carswell who work in Fort Worth, Texas;
• Employees of the Karate Fitness Center who work in Fort Worth, Texas (01-17-03);
• Members of record of Harris Employees Federal Credit Union as of March 31, 2003, the effective date of its merger into Guardian First Federal Credit Union (05-16-03);
• Employees of Harris Graphics Corporation who work in Kennedale, Texas or Nashville, Tennessee (05-16-3);
• Employees of the following groups who work in Kennedale, Texas: American Bearing Company (05-16-03), City of Kennedale (05-16-03), and LDJ Plumbing (05-16-03);
• Employees of Guardian First Federal Credit Union;
• Persons retired by the Federal Government as annuitants from the above employment or service;
• Persons who live, work, worship, or attend school in, and businesses and other legal entities located within the under-served area in Tarrant County, Texas defined by the following boundaries (08-18-03): beginning at the intersection of IH 35W and E. Berry Street proceeding east on E. Berry Street to IH 820 then south on IH 820 to Business 287 then southeast on Business 287 to Dick Price Road then west on Dick Price Road to Rendon New Hope Road then south on Rendon New Hope Road to Highway 1064 then west on Highway 1064 to IH 35W then north on IH 35W to IH 820 then west on IH 820 to James Avenue then north on James Avenue to W. Seminary Drive then east on W. Seminary Drive to IH 35W then north on IH 35W to E. Berry Street;
• Unremarried spouses or persons who died while within the field of membership of Guardian First Federal Credit Union;
• Members or their immediate families;
• Organizations or such persons;
• U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Prisons, South Central Regional Office.

Locations and hours
In an effort to better serve our members, Guardian First Federal Credit Union has two full-service branches with convenient hours located right in your neighborhood.

FCI Fort Worth Branch
7B Carlson Court
Fort Worth, TX 76119
Phone: 817-534-8707
Fax: 817-534-2579
Drive-thru hours: Monday through Friday 7:00 am to 4:30 pm
Lobby hours: Monday through Thursday 8:00 am to 3:30 pm. Friday 9:00 am to 3:30 pm

FMC Carswell Branch
Phone: 817-782-4182
Hours: Wednesday 9:00 am to 1:00 pm