Online Membership Application
To begin your credit union relationship, simply open a savings account with as little as $5 by completing our online application or visiting any of our branch locations. You can also choose to open a checking account, additional savings accounts or apply for a loan.
Once your membership has been opened, you are able to take advantage of all benefits that come with being a member of Palmetto Citizens.
Membership Eligibility
Palmetto Citizens membership is open to many individuals, families, businesses, and organizations throughout South Carolina and Georgia. You may be eligible to join if you live, work, worship, attend school, or own a business within our service area.
Membership is also available to businesses, non-profits, churches and other legal entities that meet our eligibility requirements.
Looking for another way to join? You can become eligible through the Palmetto Citizens Foundation, our charitable organization that supports financial education and community initiatives. A donation of just $5 makes you a Foundation member and eligible to join Palmetto Citizens.
We also have a partnership with the Carolina Consumer Council (CCC), a nonprofit organization focused on consumer advocacy and financial education. Individuals who line in SC, NC, GA, TN, or VA may become eligible for membership through the CCC. Membership in the CCC is provided at no cost when opening a Palmetto Citizens account.
Not sure if you're eligible? Contact us or visit a branch, and we'll be happy to help determine your eligibility.
The Credit Union Difference
As a credit union, we’re a not-for-profit financial institution. That means we, unlike banks, do not have to pay earnings to stockholders. Instead, we return profits back to our member-owners as lower loan rates, higher savings rates and fewer fees.
When you borrow and save with Palmetto Citizens, you are also keeping your money locally. That means we’re able to assist more of your neighbors, area small businesses and local charitable causes.
Funds deposited in our credit union are federally insured by a fund backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. As the FDIC does for banks, the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund (NCUSIF) insures savings of at least up to $250,000 per account. The NCUSIF is administered by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), an agency of the federal government.
The History of Palmetto Citizens
Palmetto Citizens Federal Credit Union, formerly known as Columbia (SC) Teachers FCU, was organized and issued a federal charter on June 4, 1936. Ten individuals each deposited $5.00 to begin the credit union which only served the employees of Columbia Public Schools.
In 2001, the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), an agency of the federal government that oversees all federally chartered credit unions, gave approval for us to become a community based credit union and officially became Palmetto Citizens. We were the first credit union in South Carolina to be granted a multi-county community charter.
Today, Palmetto Citizens is one of South Carolina's larger credit unions, serving nearly 90,000 members with assets of over $1.5 billion.
Equality for All
In accordance with federal laws and U.S. Department of the Treasury policy, this organization is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.
To file a complaint of discrimination, write to:
U.S. Department of the Treasury,
Director, Office of Civil Rights
and Equal Employment Opportunity
1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.,
Washington, DC 20220;
call (202) 622 - 1160;
or send an e-mail to: crcomplaints@treasury.gov.
De acuerdo a lo establecido por las leyes federales y las políticas del Departamento del Tesoro esta organización no puede discriminar por causa de raza, color, origen nacional, sexo, edad, o porque una persona tiene impedimentos.
Para presentar una queja sobre discriminación, escriba a:
U.S. Department of the Treasury,
Director, Office of Civil Rights
and Equal Employment Opportunity
1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.,
Washington, DC 20220;
llame al (202) 622 - 1160;
o envíe un correo electrónico a: crcomplaints@treasury.gov.