The History of America's Credit Unions
802 Credit Union
Vermont
Est. Date:
2021
Previous Names:
Central Vermont Teachers VEA Credit Union, Northwest Teachers VEA Credit Union, Windsor-Orange County Credit Union, Members Advantage Community Credit Union, Barre Catholic Credit Union, Caswell Credit Union, Covered Bridge Credit Union, Windsor County South Credit Union, River Valley Credit Union, Vermont VA Federal Credit Union, White River Credit Union
Locations:
Barre, Bellows Falls, Bethel, Brattleboro, Putney, Randolph, Rochester, South Burlington, Springfield, Townshend, White River Junction, Windsor
802 Credit Union is a member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative headquartered in Vermont. Today, the credit union serves more than 41,000 members through twelve branches across the state, offering consumer financial services, including savings, checking, lending, and other financial products.
History
802 Credit Union traces its origins to 1953, when Central Vermont Teachers VEA Credit Union was established in Barre, Vermont. Like many early credit unions, it was formed to provide financial services to a specific group—in this case, Vermont teachers. Over the following decades, the institution expanded its membership and geographic reach until it became what it is today: 802 Credit Union.
In 2020, Members Advantage Community Credit Union and River Valley Credit Union joined together, creating a larger Vermont credit union with a broader field of membership. The organization adopted the name 802 Credit Union in 2021, reflecting its statewide identity and Vermont roots.
The credit union continued to grow through additional mergers, including the addition of Vermont VA Federal Credit Union in 2023 and White River Credit Union in 2025. Today, 802 Credit Union represents more than seven decades of credit union history in Vermont, evolving from an institution originally serving teachers into a statewide financial cooperative serving communities throughout the state.
