North Districts Community Credit Union Continues to Grow
- Shari Berg
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
After two decades at its former location near Joe’s Beer in Gibsonia, North Districts Community Credit Union (NDCU) has settled into a new home that better reflects its mission to serve the North Hills. The credit union completed its move on Valentine’s Day 2025 to 101 Northtowne Square, the former NextTier Bank building in front of Giant Eagle along Route 8.
“This gives us a more professional look,” said Paul Fero, CEO of NDCU. “Previously, it looked like an insurance office from the ’90s. It was dated.”
The move addresses the challenges the credit union faced at its previous location. Safety concerns topped the list, as pulling in and out of the old site off Route 8 proved dangerous for members. The new location offers improved access and additional parking, along with amenities that meet the demands of modern banking.
“We needed to move to support our expanded membership,” Fero said. “We also can now offer a drive-through and ATM, whereas our previous location couldn’t support that. It became apparent that not having those things was a detriment during the pandemic.”
The Mars-NextTier acquisition opened the opportunity for NDCU to purchase the building during the summer of 2024. After remodeling, painting and changing the signage, the credit union opened its doors at the new address. One year later, Fero reports the increased visibility has brought new customers.
Founded more than 80 years ago as the credit union for Shaler School District teachers, NDCU has evolved to serve residents, workers and worshipers in the Pine-Richland, Hampton, Shaler and Fox Chapel school districts. The organization weathered years of lagging membership before experiencing a resurgence in the late 1970s. Today, the credit union serves 3,200 members with a staff of six full-time and several part-time employees.
Joining the credit union requires a simple visit to open an account. Members must live, work or worship in the designated service area. The credit union is seeking approval to expand its service area to include the rest of the North Hills, a change that could take effect in a year or so. Further expansion into Butler and Beaver counties is planned for the next five years.
What sets NDCU apart from traditional banks comes down to its not-for-profit structure. Credit unions operate to serve their members rather than shareholders, a distinction that translates to tangible benefits.
“That’s what differentiates a credit union from a bank,” Fero explained. “A credit union is a not-for-profit organization, so we’re able to offer lower rates on loan products and higher rates on savings products than what you’d find at a bank because they’re for-profit organizations serving shareholders. The profits we make serve our membership through better rates and services.”
NDCU offers traditional banking services, including savings and checking accounts and certificates of deposit, along with car loans, home equity loans and personal loans. The credit union charges lower fees, with some common bank charges eliminated entirely.
“We offer higher returns and lower or no fees,” Fero said. “For example, you can use your debit card at any ATM and not be charged a fee, which averages $2.50 to $3.50. We don’t charge statement fees or try to nickel-and-dime people to death on stupid stuff. Our checking is free, literally.”
He compared the offering to checking accounts from years past. “This is like the checking accounts you could get years ago, only without the free toaster,” he said, laughing. “You pay for your checks and you’re good to go. And that’s even if you write checks anymore.”
The personal touch extends to how NDCU handles potential overdrafts. If a member’s account might get overdrawn in the evening, they can make a deposit first thing the next morning without incurring fees. Fero said he considers automatic deposits scheduled for the day after a bill comes through rather than automatically returning items as overdrawn.
“We believe in the individualized approach,” he said. “Some members appreciate the courtesy of that phone call. We try not to make it a habit, but we have no problem picking up the phone and asking them if they know their account is short.”
For those struggling with debt, NDCU offers solutions including home equity loans for those with equity in their homes, credit card balance transfers to lower rates and personal loans at rates below what online lenders typically charge. The credit union’s credit card interest rate sits at a fixed 9.9 percent, compared with the 20 to 25 percent rates common among major credit cards.
Fero advises members to live within or below their means and avoid high-interest credit card debt. “Just by moving your balance to a lower interest rate, you’ll save money,” he said.
He also offers tips for avoiding becoming a victim of a financial scam. “Be suspicious of when people reach out to you,” Fero said. “Absolutely do not give them your information, your online banking credentials, your card numbers, expiration dates or security codes, regardless of who they say they are.” Legitimate banks and organizations never ask for account information they already have on file.
Looking ahead, Fero sees continued consolidation in the credit union industry, a trend that has played out over the past two decades as smaller credit unions have merged. Many local credit unions have joined Clearview Federal Credit Union, which now operates 20 branches across southwestern Pennsylvania.
As NDCU celebrates its first anniversary at the Gibsonia location, the credit union balances growth ambitions with its core mission. High-tech banking options mean members have less need to visit the physical branch for routine transactions, though the expanded space and improved facilities stand ready to serve those who do. The organization plans to add staff as growth demands, maintaining the personalized service that distinguishes credit unions from traditional banks.