Human Services Employees’ Credit Union (HSECU) is a not-for-profit financial cooperative dedicated to serving its members’ best interests. Founded in 1951 with the principle of “not for charity, not for profit, but service for all,” HSECU has always put people over profits.
A member-owned credit union was established to support the financial well-being of Georgia’s healthcare and human services workers and their families. If you are a working professional or retiree in one of these fields, you may be eligible to join the HSECU family. Today, we’ll show why many Georgians choose an HSECU and how you can join it.
Why Choose a Credit Union Over a Bank
Choosing where to bank is an important decision. Credit unions and banks offer similar basic services, but credit unions, such as HSECU, provide distinct advantages:
- Member-owned and community-focused. When you join a credit union, you’re not just a customer – you’re a member-owner. HSECU’s priority is serving you and your community rather than maximizing profit. Decisions are made locally with members’ needs in mind, and every member has a voice in how the credit union is run.
- Better rates and lower fees. Because HSECU is a not-for-profit organization, it returns earnings to members through higher savings interest rates and lower loan rates. As a member, you can enjoy competitively low rates on loans and credit cards and earn dividends on deposit accounts.
- Safety and trust. Credit unions offer the same deposit protections as banks. HSECU is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), which means your deposits are protected (backed by the U.S. government) up to at least $250,000. Members feel a sense of trust and familiarity, knowing that HSECU understands their needs.
Who Can Join HSECU
There are specific eligibility rules for each credit union based on its “field of membership.” Here are the primary rules to join credit unions in Georgia and HSECU in particular:
Georgia Credit Union Eligibility Rules
In Georgia, as in other states, credit unions are required to have a common bond for membership. Members must share a certain affiliation, such as an employer, profession, association, or geographic community. HSECU’s common bond is employment and association in the human services sector.
Importantly, even if you don’t work for a specific employer, you might still be eligible through a family member who does. Credit unions in Georgia often adhere to a “once a member, always a member” philosophy as well. Once you join, you can remain a member for life.
HSECU Membership Requirements
You are eligible to join HSECU if you fit any of the following categories:
- Georgia Department of Human Resources (DHR) employees and retirees. It includes anyone who works for the state’s Department of Human Services (formerly called the Department of Human Resources) or has retired from it.
- Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) employees and retirees. Current staff or retirees of the Department of Juvenile Justice are welcome.
- Contract employees of either of the above departments. (If you’re a contractor/associate working with DHR or DJJ, you can join, too.)
- Employees of HSECU itself. If you work for the credit union, you qualify for membership.
- Employees of certain partner companies, namely BestNet and Ultima Holdings. HSECU has included these small employee groups in its field of membership.
- Immediate family members of any existing HSECU member. This applies regardless of whether the family member lives or works in a particular location. “Immediate family” refers to spouses, children, siblings, parents, grandparents, grandchildren, or other household members.
What You’ll Need to Apply
A checklist of the information you should have when you’re ready to join HSECU includes:
- Proof of identity. A valid government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, state ID, or passport.
- Social Security Number (SSN) or ITIN
- Eligibility documentation. Something that shows you meet the membership requirements. For most, this could be a recent pay stub, employee ID, or employment verification letter if you qualify through your job.
To become a member, there’s one more simple requirement: open a shared savings account with the credit union. At HSECU, the minimum deposit to open your share (savings) account is $30. There are no hefty initiation fees or complicated hoops to jump through. Once you’ve made that initial deposit and met the eligibility criteria, you are officially a member of HSECU. From that point on, you’ll have full access to all the products and perks of membership.
What You Get as a Member
One of the primary reasons to join a credit union is the comprehensive suite of benefits and services available to its members. HSECU offers a full range of financial products for members:
Everyday Financial Tools
Becoming an HSECU member gives you access to all the essential banking tools you need for daily life – often with better terms than you’d find elsewhere. These include:
Savings and Checking Accounts
Every member opens a share savings account, which earns dividends on your balance. Additionally, HSECU offers shared draft checking accounts for your everyday transactions. The checking accounts come with no monthly service fee and even pay a small interest on your balance. You can deposit your paycheck, pay bills, and manage expenses easily through your HSECU accounts.
There are also specialty savings options, such as Club Accounts for holiday or vacation savings. If you have kids or teens, HSECU provides youth accounts as well – allowing younger family members to start saving early (with a low minimum deposit) and even offering a youth checking account for teens that earns a higher dividend rate.
Convenient Visa ATM/Debit Card
With HSECU, you’ll get an ATM card (which doubles as a debit card for purchases) for easy access to your funds. It lets you withdraw cash or check your balance 24/7 at ATMs nationwide. HSECU participates in several ATM networks, including CU24, STAR, Pulse, Publix Presto, CU “SELECT,” and “CU HERE,” so you can use any affiliated ATM across town or across the country to access your account.
Even if HSECU has just a couple of its ATMs in Atlanta, the network partnerships mean you’re never far from a free ATM. HSECU members pay no service charge at the credit union’s ATMs or any “CU HERE” partner ATMs. You also receive several free out-of-network ATM transactions each month (HSECU allows at least five ATM withdrawals per month with no credit union fee).
Savings, Loans, and Member Support
In addition to everyday account access, HSECU provides a wide range of financial products to help members save money and borrow at affordable rates.
- Competitive savings options. As a member-owned institution, HSECU rewards its savers. The credit union offers additional savings options tailored to your needs. You can open a Money Market Account (for higher balances, to earn a better rate) or Share Certificates (the credit union version of CDs) for guaranteed returns over a set term. HSECU’s rates are competitive and often higher than what you’d get on similar accounts at a bank.
- Affordable loans for every need. One of the primary benefits of credit union membership is access to loans at more favorable interest rates. If you need a vehicle, HSECU offers auto loans for cars, trucks, boats, RVs, and motorcycles. The rates are very competitive, starting as low as about 2.99% for shorter terms. For personal expenses, HSECU offers personal loans that can be used for debt consolidation, home improvements, or unexpected bills. And if you’re shopping for a home, HSECU can assist with mortgage financing or referrals.
- Personalized member support. HSECU goes beyond accounts and loans. Membership comes with value-added services that protect and educate you as a consumer. For instance, all HSECU members aged 18 or older are automatically covered by free Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance. This policy provides a base benefit, typically $2,000 of coverage, at no cost to you, just for being a member. The credit union also provides free Identity Theft Protection services to all its members.
Ready to Join?
Joining HSECU is becoming part of a member-owned financial family that looks out for you. So, are you ready to join HSECU? If so, the process is straightforward: confirm your eligibility, fill out a quick application, and make the initial deposit. HSECU has made it as easy as possible.
Take the next step toward better banking. Contact HSECU or visit their website to get your membership application started today. Once you’re a member, you’ll enjoy lifetime benefits!arrive at your home in approximately ten business days. Save the lien release letter in case you sell the car.