Our Story

We started out small, but these days we think big

In 1950, General Electric employees in Burlington, Vermont organized a credit union so they could borrow money from one another at rates better than those offered by commercial banks. Over time, that little financial cooperative has grown into one of Vermont’s largest and most innovative credit unions. Our commitment to providing people with the best possible value and experience has never wavered. 

Toward the end of 2001, we opened our doors to anyone in the community. We also expanded our commitment to support nonprofits that make Vermont a better place to live, work, and play. Our employees are provided paid time off to volunteer at their favorite organizations. We support various initiatives, including those designed to combat homelessness, hunger, and diseases, and to promote the welfare of children and animals.

In an industry where success seems to be measured by a company’s bottom line, we focus on feedback. We use unbiased data from outside organizations to gauge the satisfaction levels of our members and employees. These measures allow us to accurately identify in which areas we’re doing well, and where we can improve.
 

Awards and Recognition

• A survey of our members produced an Overall Satisfaction Score of 9.37 out of 10, based on findings by Member Loyalty Group in 2023.
• In Gallup's annual report on employee engagement, the credit union ranked among the top 3% of employers nationwide.
• NorthCountry won the award for "Best Credit Union" for the Central Vermont-Northeast Region in Vermont Business Magazine's "Best of Business" awards in 2020.
   

Mission and Core Values

For years, when asked about our mission statement, we would talk about our core values - the three C's: Confident, Caring, and Creative. Our core values are what we hold true, but they don't quite answer the question of a clear mission. We searched for the best words to explain what makes us tick, and came to this: Our mission is to make dreams come true for all by offering personalized financial solutions. As a cooperative, we are inspired and empowered to do the right thing for our members and employees.

We support our mission by activating our "Can-Do" core values in every transaction, interaction, and decision we encounter.
 

Confident

Our training and mentoring ensure that employees at all levels understand our corporate expectations, reflect superb judgment, and are empowered to do the right thing.
 

Caring

Our success is built on mutually beneficial relationships with our stakeholder groups and our reputation as a reliable, trusted provider of quality service, respect, and community support.
 

Creative

We provide and create convenient, affordable solutions that improve people’s lives and help them achieve their financial and life goals.
 

Annual Report

To learn more about our goals, our accomplishments and our culture, see our 2023 Annual Report.

Board of Directors

Any member age 18 or older in good standing is qualified to run for a seat on the Board of Directors. For more information, contact the manager of your favorite branch. 

2024 Board Members

• Bethany Chenette, Chair
• Charles Roumas, Vice Chair
• Teresa Kajenski, Treasurer
• Frank Thompson, Secretary
• Karen McGrath
• Floyd Nease
• Michael Poczobut
• Paul Simon
• Sergey Shpaner
• Mike Peterson
• Tracey Shamberger

Bob Morgan, CEO

Bob Morgan, CEO, began his banking career at Vermont Development Credit Union, a financial institution committed to helping underserved populations gain access to banking services. Many of the credit union’s members were refugees and immigrants facing challenges such as language barriers and little understanding of banking systems in the United States. After Bob completed his MBA, the credit union promoted him to lending manager and then chief operating officer. This foundation would set him on a professional path of breaking down barriers between people and their ability to thrive financially.

In March 2000, Bob joined NorthCountry Federal Credit Union and served in several key leadership positions before being promoted to Chief Executive Officer in 2012. The outgoing President/CEO, John Benoit, praised Bob Morgan as an innovator, a problem solver, and a qualified leader. Bob’s accomplishments included several initiatives to bring financial stability and growth potential to individuals and small businesses, including collaborating with local non-profits to develop a program for fast emergency financing that businesses can offer as an inexpensive but valuable employee benefit.

Aside from his work at NorthCountry, Bob served on the Association of Vermont Credit Unions’ (AVCU) Board of Directors for seven years, including terms as chair of its Social Responsibility Committee, Annual Meeting Committee, and Audit and Government Relations Committee. He is a longtime volunteer and supporter of the Filene Research Institute, a nonprofit independent “think tank” for the credit union and consumer finance industry. He served as Board Chair for the Greater Burlington YMCA, and on the Finance Committee and Strategic Planning Committee for LUND, a local non-profit addressing family poverty. He currently serves as board treasurer for Essex Rescue.