Our History

In business since 1939, FirstOntario Credit Union serves over 71,000 Members and offers a full suite of banking products including daily banking, mortgages, lines of credit, loans and investments. FirstOntario has over $2.2 billion in funds under management and currently has 17 branches serving 11 communities within the Hamilton, Halton, Niagara and Haldimand/Norfolk regions. Membership is open to anyone living or working in the areas in which FirstOntario operates.

When it all began:

• 1939 A dedicated group of Stelco Steel Company employees in Hamilton, Ontario create the Stelco Employees Credit Union Hamilton Works Limited. They had $54.45 in capital and an initial loan request of $50.00.
• 1949 The St.Catharines Auto Workers' Credit Union opens their doors to serve General Motors employees.
• 1981 St.Catharines Auto Workers' Credit Union becomes an open bond credit union and welcomes everyone from the community. They changed their name to Family Savings & Credit Union (Niagara) Limited.
• 1987 Stelco Employees Credit Union changes its name to Avestel Credit Union to reflect their conversion to a community-based and open bond credit union.
• 1999 Avestel and Family Savings vote in favour of merging. Sept. 1st of that year sees the creation of Avestel Family Savings Credit Union.
• 2000 To better reflect its commitment of putting Members first, the credit union changes its name to FirstOntario Credit Union.