Overview
Access Credit Union is a member-owned financial cooperative that provides everyday banking services, including loans and online banking, to its local community. It operates as a nonprofit, reinvesting earnings to benefit its members rather than maximize profits. Originating in 1939 as Zenith Radio Credit Union, it grew from serving a single employer to serving 22 nearby communities in the Chicago area, and now holds over $50 million in assets with about 6,500 members. Its goal is to help members meet their financial needs with affordable, accessible services while supporting the financial stability of the communities it serves, differentiating itself from for-profit banks by being community-focused and member-owned.
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Simplify's take
What believers are saying
- Q2 2026 net worth ratio reached 13.96%, leaving strong regulatory capital.
- Delinquency stayed low at 1.24% with $29.95 million loans outstanding.
- Updated October 2026 website highlights digital banking, ATM access, and broad community eligibility.
What critics are saying
- 4,804 members and $57.9 million assets keep Access exposed to one-shock events.
- Membership fell 3.3% year over year through June 2026, signaling stagnant franchise.
- One branch and 13 employees create existential concentration risk if operations fail.
What makes Access Credit Union unique
- 1939 Zenith Radio roots still anchor a trusted Chicago-area cooperative brand.
- One Broadview branch supports 22 Illinois communities and 125 partner employers.
- Member-owned structure prioritizes deposit pricing and service over outside shareholder returns.
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