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Why Choose ESL Federal Credit Union over a Traditional Bank?

We’re creating something special at ESL. And we invite you to join us. Becoming a member of the largest, locally led financial services organization in our area is easier than you think. Enjoy all the benefits of banking with knowledgeable, helpful professionals who really do answer to you.

When you belong to a credit union, you’re more than a customer or client. You’re a member of a growing organization truly committed to this community.

That’s why we put so much effort into helping Greater Rochester reach its potential. That’s why we go out of our way to create value for all of the people who depend on us. And that’s why we work hard every day to become the best financial services organization around. So we can achieve our Number One Priority: helping members like you achieve your goals. 

On behalf of all of us at ESL, we look forward to serving you.

  • How to Join
    Here's How to Get a Personal Membership:
    You'll Also Need to:
    • Open your first ESL account (all you need is $1 to open an ESL savings account). An ESL representative will be happy to explain your options and help you complete the account opening process.
    • Provide a copy of two valid, current forms of ID. One must be a primary form of identification.
    For More Information:
    Primary Form of ID
    Secondary Form of ID
    Driver's License
    Non-Picture Work ID
    Current Work Picture Pass
    Health Insurance Carrier's ID
    Valid Passport
    Credit Card
    Pistol Permit
    Utility Bill
    Student Picture ID
    Social Security Card
    Social Services Picture ID
     
    Government Issued Picture ID
     
    NYS Non-Driver ID
     

    Here’s How to Get a Business Membership:
    You’ll Also Need to:
    • Complete a Business Membership Application and a Business Member Account Agreement.
    • Open your first ESL business account (all you need is $1 to open an ESL Business Savings Account). An ESL representative will be happy to explain your options and help you complete the account opening process.
    • Provide required documentation which includes:
      • A copy of two valid, current forms of ID for each owner, officer, and signer. One copy must be a primary form of identification. See table above.
      • Each business type requires different documentation to join. Check out the required documentation for your type of business below.
    For More Information:

    We look forward to showing you all the extras that come with a membership to ESL.

    Required Documentation by Type of Business
     

    Please remember that business memberships are only available to DBAs and Sole Proprietorships based in New York State.

    • Proof of Employer Identification Number from the IRS
    • Primary and secondary identification for each partner and individual signer on the account
    • ESL Business Resolution
    • ESL Statement of Ownership
    • Proof of entity filing with the appropriate agency (if applicable). For example, you may need a County Clerk, Division of Corporations filing for a professional company in need of a Business License.
    • Proof of Employer Identification Number from the IRS
    • Primary and secondary identification for each partner and individual signer on the account
    • ESL Business Resolution
    • ESL Statement of Ownership
    • Proof of entity filing with the appropriate agency (if applicable.) For example, you may need a County Clerk, Division of Corporations filing for a professional company in need of a Business License. 
    • Proof of Employer Identification Number from the IRS
    • Primary and secondary identification for each partner and individual signer on the account
    • ESL Business Resolution
    • ESL Statement of Ownership
    • Proof of entity filing with the appropriate agency (if applicable). For example, you may need this document if your LLC was filed outside New York State.
    • Proof of Employer Identification Number from the IRS
    • Primary and secondary identification for each partner and individual signer on the account
    • For non-profit corporations filed within a county in New York State: Articles of Incorporation stamped by the County Clerk
    • For corporations filed outside of New York State: Filed Articles of Incorporation
    • ESL Business Resolution
    • ESL Statement of Ownership

    Click here to print a copy of the Business Banking Account Opening Checklist.

  • Benefits
    Here’s something that truly sets us apart. Our exclusive Owners’ Dividend.*

    Want to know how it works? Every year that we earn more than necessary to keep us strong and healthy, we return a portion of our profits to our members.

    It’s a wonderful way to share our success with our members. And it’s definitely a benefit that can really add up over time.

    In the meantime, don’t forget the other ESL extras that come with your membership:
    • Award-winning service.
    • Outstanding banking convenience, thanks to our extensive branch and ATM network, online banking, personal mobile banking, and chat banking.
    • Decisions on loans and other business issues that are made right here where we live and work.
    • Our exclusive focus on our members—after all, at ESL, we don’t have shareholders to worry about.
     
  • Personal

    It’s easy to join ESL for your personal banking.

    And once you become a member, your immediate family automatically becomes eligible for membership, too.

    In fact, you’re already eligible if you:

    • Have a family member or member of your household who’s already an ESL member.
    • Live, work, worship, or attend school in the geographic boundaries of the City of Rochester.
    • Are an employee or retiree of one of these great companies.
    • Are a member of one of these groups and associations.
    • Are a member, employee, retiree, or volunteer at the George Eastman Museum.
    • Have a family member or member of your household that meets any of these requirements.

    Still not eligible?

    If you meet a few basic requirements, we’ll pay for your membership at the internationally renowned George Eastman Museum. Then you’ll be ready to join ESL and open your first account.

    It all proves one thing. We really want you to be part of our family.

    Ready to join? Learn How to Get a Personal Membership.

     
  • Business

    Your Business Could be Eligible to Join ESL if You Meet One of the Following Requirements:

    • Your business is located in the geographical boundaries of the City of Rochester.
    • Your business is one of these eligible companies or organizations.
    • All business owners and authorized signers for your company qualify for a personal ESL membership. Depending on the type of business, this includes:
      • Business owners for DBAs and Sole Partnerships based in New York State
      • All partners for Partnerships
      • All members for LLCs
      • All officers and shareholders for Corporations
      • All members for Funds, Associations, and Non-Profits

    Ready to Join? Learn How to Get a Business Membership.

     
  • Companies & Groups

    You can qualify for ESL membership if you:

    Are an employee or retiree of one of the following companies:
    • Advent House
    • Archi-Technology, LLC
    • BBL®, Inc.
    • Daymon Worldwide
    • Eastman Gelatine Corporation (if you work in or are paid from Peabody, Massachusetts)
    • Eastman Kodak Company (if you work in or are paid from Rochester, New York)
    • ESL Federal Credit Union
    • ESL Investment Services, LLC
    • FPC, Inc. (if you work in or are paid from Hollywood, California)
    • Genencor International, Inc.
    • Geva Theatre
    • Harter, Secrest & Emery, LLP
    • Hatch Leonard Naples
    • Heidelberg Digital, LLC
    • Imagery Software, Inc. (if you work in or are paid from Bedford, Massachusetts)
    • Jamestown Container Rochester
    • Jamieson Film Company (if you work in or are paid from Dallas, Texas)
    • Kodak Electronic Printing Systems, Inc. (if you work in or are paid from Bellerica, Massachusetts)
    • Kodak Polychrome Graphics
    • Kodak Technical Services, Inc. (if you work in or are paid from Wilmington, Ohio)
    • Lightwave Enterprises, Inc.
    • Metrix Matrix, Inc.
    • Nationwide Precision Products Corporation
    • Nazareth Schools: The Hall and The Academy
    • Nexpress of Rochester, New York
    • Nixon Peabody LLP
    • Parrone Engineering
    • Pitney Bowes (Gates, New York)
    • Qualex (if you work in or are paid from Durham, North Carolina)
    • Rochester Technology Park
    • School of the Holy Childhood
    • TBO Company
    • Telecomp, Inc.
    • The Harley School
    • The Image Bank, Inc., or its Film Search, Inc., or Stockphotos, Inc., divisions (if you work in or are paid from Irving, Texas)
    • The Image Bank South, Inc. (if you work in or are paid from Atlanta, Georgia)
    • The Rochester Group
    • Total Identity Systems, Corp.
    • Trinity Emanuel Lutheran Church
    • URS Corporation
    • Wegmans Food Markets
    • WHEC-TV
    • WROC-TV
    • WXXI
    Are an employee or retiree of one of the following companies or units who perform outsourced work under contract to the Eastman Kodak Company and who work in Rochester, New York:
    • General Electric Capital Corporation
    • GTE Customer Networks
    • Guardsmark, Inc.
    • Integrated Systems Solutions Corporation (ISSC), a subsidiary of IBM
    • Marriott Food Services (excluding hotel employees and AVI employees)
    • Northern Telecom
    Are an employee, retiree, member, or volunteer of the George Eastman Museum.
     
    Are a member of one of the following groups or associations:
    • The Board of the Penfield Ecumenical Food Shelf, Inc.
    • Deer Run Homeowners Association
    • Genesee Valley Umpires Association
    • Greater Rochester Association of Realtors
     

Ready to Join?