Mission-driven partnerships
Community Development
Built for the communities we serve
Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) are lenders certified by the federal government to support overlooked and underserved communities, providing lending services, financial education and more.
As a CDFI, Firemen’s Federal Credit Union develops loan programs and features that lift people up and give them better options for their money and their future.
$7.3M+
in Ride Smart car loans
0%
down payment home loans
$2.6M+
saved in fees and interest
Our impact in action
In 2022, the U.S. Department of the Treasury selected Firemen’s Federal to receive $7 million through the Emergency Capital Investment Program, designed to support community financial institutions in expanding access to affordable credit. That same year, we were also awarded a $50,000 NCUA Community Development Revolving Loan Fund grant to expand our low-income programs.
Our focus areas
The key goals of our work fall into three main categories:
- Making homeownership accessible for first-time buyers and underserved families who have been shut out of the traditional mortgage market.
- Providing safe, affordable short-term financing that protects members from predatory lending cycles and high-interest traps.
- Giving every member, regardless of credit history, a genuine pathway to financial stability and long-term success.
Owning a home
No payday loans
Stronger credit
Trusted support
Financial stability
More about our work
Ride Smart
Ride Smart gives members access to a reliable vehicle at a competitive rate. Every Ride Smart loan comes with an attached emergency fund, so when the car needs repair, members have the means to cover it without turning to predatory lenders.
The Faith Fund
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit coalition with Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Baton Rouge, MetroMorphosis, and Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center who help people manage their money, escape predatory lending, and achieve financial stability.
Affordable Homeownership
Persistent poverty keeps homeownership out of reach for many families. Firemen’s offers a 100% loan-to-value mortgage with no down payment and no private mortgage insurance, removing the two biggest homebuying hurdles.