Freedom Federal Credit Union Opening New Branch in Perry Hall / White Marsh

May 3, 2021

The new branch will mark Freedom Federal Credit Union’s first Baltimore County location, and sixth location overall.

Freedom Federal Credit Union has announced plans to open a new full-service branch in the Perry Hall/White Marsh area. This is the Credit Union’s first branch in Baltimore County, and sixth branch within Northeastern Maryland. The new branch will be located at 5000 Honeygo Center Drive in the Honeygo Village Center, adjacent to Weis Markets, and across from AnyTime Fitness, and Liberatore’s Ristorante.

The branch will feature a full-service lobby, two drive-thru lanes, a 24/7 ATM, a free coin machine, and will provide ample parking and easy traffic flow and access. Financial Service Representatives will be in-person, and onsite, to support all business and individual banking needs.

The branch opening is the next step in Freedom’s expansion of their field of membership into Baltimore County, which the Credit Union announced in July 2020, following approval from the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). Since then, Freedom membership has been open to businesses and any individuals who live, work, worship, volunteer, attend school, or have family in Baltimore County. Freedom now serves all of Harford and Baltimore Counties.

The expansion into Baltimore County was a logical step in the Credit Union’s evolution. Freedom was already serving over 3,000 members that are Baltimore County residents and were able to join because of some affiliation with Harford County.

“This is a great milestone in Freedom Federal Credit Union’s history, as well as a monumental opportunity for our members, and the residents of both Baltimore and Harford Counties,” stated Mike MacPherson, President and CEO of Freedom. “The Honeygo Branch provides us our first physical space within Baltimore County, and ensures that we can truly deliver the ‘Freedom Advantage,’ our unique credit union service offering, to the greater Baltimore County communities. Not only will we be able to better serve a larger group of Maryland residents and businesses who we feel are currently being underserved, but we can better enhance the progress and growth of our Credit Union, which will benefit all our members going forward.”

Freedom Federal Credit Union was founded in 1953 as MATCOM Federal Credit Union. The Credit Union started in Baltimore and later moved to Harford County in support of the Edgewood Arsenal, which became part of Aberdeen Proving Ground. Freedom received their Harford County community charter in 1999 and changed their name to Freedom of Maryland Federal Credit Union in 2000.

MacPherson continued: “I think it’s important to emphasize that Freedom has not only risen to the challenge of the day, but even in the worst of times, continues to move forward in our vision and mission. While much of this last year has been focused on helping members through the pandemic, we decided to proceed with our expansion into Baltimore County, which will further allow us to offer lower cost loan options, higher deposit rates, better technology and access, and more community support across both Harford and Baltimore Counties. Our focus has been on expanding and enhancing every avenue and technology to allow our members more access to conduct business wherever needed, in-person, or online, all in the name of creating a better member experience.”

The new site in the Honeygo Village Center, which formerly housed First National Bank, is currently undergoing renovations, and is expected to open to the public in late summer with a grand opening event to be announced at a later date.

About Freedom Federal Credit Union

Freedom Federal Credit Union is a community-chartered federal credit union offering consumer financial services to those who live, work, volunteer, worship, attend school, or have family in Harford and Baltimore Counties. Additionally, Freedom offers a full-line of banking services for all businesses, associations, and other organizations that are based in Harford and Baltimore Counties. To learn more, visit freedomfcu.org.

Banking Reimagined My Foot

December 4, 2020

You know what annoys me? Commercials. One in particular gets under my skin. It’s the commercial for Capital One. It’s bad enough they talk about having no fees or minimums on checking accounts like they just thought of it or that you can bank on the go with a mobile app like no one else offers that. No, it was the phrase “banking reimagined”. You know what banking reimagined is? A CREDIT UNION!!!

All you need to do is look at our history to know that banks are still banks no matter what kind of pretty package you put it in or spin you put on it. You still get your best deal, have your best experience, at a credit union and with people like you.

Mike

Overcoming 2020 Challenges Together

November 5, 2020

Dear Freedom Members,

Over the years, we promised to uphold our core value of people helping people by focusing on creating a memorable experience for members, employees and the community we serve. Year after year we stayed true to this philosophy as it drove achievements and stability. Now as we near the end of the year, that strategic focus has proven vital in successfully navigating in 2020.

In recent years, we worked on our infrastructure and improving various processes, products, delivery channels, etc. We put greater effort into expanding and enhancing call center capabilities and online services and refined every avenue to allow you to conduct business virtually to provide the options and convenience that would create a better experience. As it turned out, these efforts were also the key in adapting to the “contactless” world thrust upon us by an unexpected pandemic. Before times had changed, we were already preparing for you to have the ability to conduct business without leaving your home.

As a result, and despite the situation, we never shut down, we never stopped serving. Yes, we had to keep our distance, we had to modify some operational aspects for everyone’s safety, but, like always, we were here, we heard you and we responded. We responded not just to the normal business of the day, but to those of you who needed extra help created by the impact of the virus on our lives and economy.

We helped 95 businesses by providing more than $2 million in Paycheck Protection Program loans. We processed over 1,400 payment deferral requests on loans and mortgages. We provided lunches and PPE supplies to first responders and over 25 Harford County organizations and, even though some plans and events were cancelled, Freedom maintained our financial support of each organization as originally committed.

Of course, you, our members, were also key to our ability to successfully adapt to this crisis. Every step of the way you have been resilient, understanding, supportive and more. You demonstrated the most important part of a cooperative; that we achieve more together when we work towards a common purpose. We are grateful for you and we appreciate you.

Finally, I cannot be more proud and appreciative of all the employees of Freedom, especially those who are on the front lines, who come in every day, and work tirelessly to ensure they provide the hands-on service you have come to expect.

Freedom will continue to earn your trust by holding to the values we established over 67 years. Our name is built by living up to our vision and mission. Our name is synonymous with respect, compassion, service, integrity, trust, and safety. Our name reflects all of the good and dedicated people that help and serve. Our name is Freedom and Freedom will continue to care for our community, one member at a time.

Sincerely,

Michael MacPherson
President and CEO
Freedom Federal Credit Union