Our History

On April 19, 1938, a group of determined Manchester area teachers organized the Manchester Teachers Federal Credit Union. In 1938, the depression was ending and WWII was beginning.

Charles “Pete” Wigren was the first credit union treasurer. Ernest Panciera helped maintain the pool of funds. Teachers contributed to this pool of funds intended to help those who ran short before payday. This led to the formation of our credit union. For 23 years Pete Wigren’s home was the home of the credit union. 

Philip Emery and Raymond Woodbridge are recognized for their contribution to the early success of the credit union. Philip Emery served as the credit union’s President from 1939 to 1949. Raymond Woodbridge held the position of Assistant Treasurer and served both in volunteer and staff positions for many years.

• In 1961, the credit union moved to 753 Main Street in Manchester, where the State Theater was located. 
• In the late 1960s the credit union moved to the Andrews Building.
• In 1979 the credit union built its current office at 233 Main Street.

In 1975, East Central Connecticut Teachers Credit Union, based in Willimantic, merged with Manchester Teachers Credit Union. This merger produced a three million dollar credit union with membership stretching to the Northeast borders of Connecticut. Aptly, the name was changed to Northeast School Employees Federal Credit Union.

Throughout the 1980s, the credit union board of directors implemented new policies and procedures including share draft checking in 1980, student loans in 1981, individual retirement accounts in 1982, money market accounts in 1983, credit cards in 1985, and ATM cards in 1987.

Northeast School Employees Federal Credit Union became Northeast Family Federal Credit Union in early 2001, to better represent its growing, diverse membership.

In May of 2025, Northeast Family FCU merged with Self-Help Federal Credit Union. Read the merger announcement here, and visit the Self-Help FCU website to learn more about Self-Help FCU. 

Today, we are a full service financial institution. Our members now enjoy access to over 66,000 surcharge free ATM’s, a fully functional online banking system, as well as bill pay and other features typically found in larger institutions. Remote deposit capture (depositing your check with just a photo) are a few additional member service benefits.