If you needed proof that doing right by your members actually works, First Harvest Credit Union just delivered it. The Southern New Jersey credit union kicked off 2026 with the kind of momentum most financial institutions dream about: record lending, a 50,000-member milestone, national awards, and over $1.5 million returned directly to members. Not a bad three months of work.
Winning Where It Counts
First Harvest didn’t just grow their numbers this quarter—they earned some serious street cred from their peers. America’s Credit Unions handed them two Diamond Awards, including the coveted Category’s Best in Public Relations. Think of it as the credit union version of taking home the Oscar.
The winning campaign? An “85 Acts of Kindness” initiative that reinvested in Southern New Jersey communities during the credit union’s 85th anniversary. It’s the kind of thing that sounds simple but requires genuine commitment to pull off well. They also snagged a Diamond Award for their partnerships with South Jersey colleges and universities, putting real money behind financial education for young adults who need it most.
Lending That Actually Helps People
Here’s a number worth paying attention to: $35.4 million in new member loans in just one quarter. That’s not abstract finance-speak—that’s people consolidating debt, buying their first car, and getting the breathing room they need to build financial stability.
As the largest credit union in Southern New Jersey, First Harvest is leaning into accessible, flexible lending options that work for real life, not just perfect credit scores. When you’re the biggest player in the region, you can either phone it in or use that position to expand access. They’re clearly doing the latter.
50,000 Members and Counting
First Harvest welcomed over 800 new members in Q1 alone, pushing them past the 50,000-member mark for the first time in their history. To put that in perspective, they’re now serving 50,216 members across New Jersey, making them the state’s largest Low Income designated credit union by membership.
That “Low Income designated” part isn’t just a technical classification—it means First Harvest is specifically committed to serving communities that traditional banks often overlook or underserve. Growing your membership in that space requires trust, and trust doesn’t come from slick marketing alone.
Putting Money Where Their Mission Is
Credit unions love to talk about the cooperative model, where profits flow back to members instead of shareholders. First Harvest actually did it, returning $1.51 million in dividends to members this quarter. That’s one of the strongest dividend returns in their 85-year history, and it’s only possible because their lending and membership growth created real financial strength.
This is how the model is supposed to work: grow responsibly, maintain competitive rates, expand member benefits, and then share the success with the people who make it all possible. Rinse and repeat.
Showing Up in the Community
While the executive team was busy hitting financial milestones, First Harvest employees were out in the community doing the actual work. The Membership Development Team alone supported over 80 events across Southern New Jersey, building relationships with their 700-plus Select Employer Groups and expanding access to financial services.
Employees also logged more than 80 hours of community service with organizations like Habitat for Humanity, Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge, and The Work Group. It’s the kind of grassroots engagement that doesn’t show up on a balance sheet but absolutely shows up in community trust.
What’s Driving All This?
“As First Harvest celebrates a strong start to 2026, including national recognition from our credit union peers for our marketing and community impact, we remain focused on delivering meaningful value to our more than 50,000 members,” said President and CEO Mike Dinneen. “We continue to identify innovative and inclusive ways to provide financial resources and solutions throughout New Jersey, from re-imagined lending programs to competitive savings options.”
He continued: “These recent achievements reflect an institution-wide commitment to delivering quality financial services and impactful member benefits, and reinvesting in the communities that have trusted First Harvest for more than 85 years. We are grateful to our dedicated employees, valued members, and community partners for their continued support. Everything we do is guided by the simple purpose that our credit union exists to serve our members and the vibrant New Jersey communities we proudly call home.”
The Bottom Line
First Harvest Credit Union has been around since 1940, which means they’ve seen a few economic cycles come and go. Today, they’re headquartered in Deptford, NJ, with more than $480 million in assets, six full-service branches, and five ATM locations spread across Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, and Gloucester Counties.
They offer the full range of financial services you’d expect—savings, checking, loans, and financial wellness programs—for consumers, businesses, and institutions. But the real story isn’t what they offer. It’s how they’re growing, who they’re serving, and what they’re doing with the success that follows. If Q1 is any indication, 2026 is shaping up to be a landmark year.