What We Believe
North Star is small enough to know you and large enough to serve you. We love this region in Northern Minnesota as much as you do.
JENNIFER STEDT, CEO
Message from our CEO
“I am humbled by the continual support from our membership.”
As we celebrate 85 years of being in business, I’d like to take this opportunity to mention that it is a privilege to serve the members of North Star Credit Union as Chief Executive Officer. I am humbled by the continual support from our membership and our community. Because of your trust in our company, we have seen tremendous growth over the past decade. A few of the accomplishments I am most proud of include our name change from Cook Area Credit Union to North Star Credit Union, more than quadrupling our workforce from 6 to 28, and the addition of our new branches of our Minnesota credit union located in Nashwauk, Duluth, and Mountain Iron. Each day, we work to serve you—our members—while maintaining a commitment to our mission and values. Thank you for being a member of our financial family. I hope you feel a sense of pride knowing when you choose North Star Credit Union you are resolving to strengthen your financial security and your community.
“North Star Credit Union helped me own my home.”
North Star made my home ownership dream come true. Steph was helpful and professional. I tell everyone to join my Minnesota credit union.
— Kaileen, NSCU Member since 2002
Read her member story
We’ve always been about community
From our humble beginnings as Northern Farmer’s Co-op Credit Union in 1939, NSCU is—and always has been—committed to living our values. When you take a look at our history, our care for community runs deep.
1939
North Star Credit Union opened in 1939 as Northern Farmer’s Co-op Credit Union, sponsored by the Northern Farmer’s Co-op Society.
1994
The Credit Union was based out of the Co-op Store in Cook until it burned down in October 1994.
1996
After operating out of the BIC building for some time, the Credit Union was able to relocate in January 1996 to Main Street, where it currently stands. That was the beginning of our story of who we are. Once relocated North Star extended its field of membership to Lake Country Power members.
2012
To accommodate our growing membership, we expanded our building in 2012.
2013
We broadened our field of membership once again; this time allowing students, family, volunteers, and staff of school district 2142 to join.
2014
We created a student focus Group called “The B.O.S.S” (Bunch of Students Saving) at the North Woods School. With their help, we successfully opened its a student branch in the North Woods Campus called “The Money Cave”.
2015
On June 1, 2015, Cook Area Credit Union changed its name to North Star Credit Union. Our new name is representative of our vision: to build thriving communities across Northern Minnesota. We are proud of our history and growth in the Cook community, and we are confident we can help other communities thrive.
2015
We are awarded the National winner of the Desjardin Award for financial education.
2017
We welcomed three additional branches through merger, now proudly serving members in Nashwauk, Duluth, and Brooks communities, as well as our hometown of Cook. The mergers offered more opportunities for our members and surrounding communities to benefit from the cooperative spirit.
2017
We are awarded the National winner of the Desjardin Award for financial education.
2018
We are awarded the National winner of the Desjardin Award for financial education.
2018
In October 2018 , to allow us to better serve the members of our new communities, the Minnesota Department of Commerce granted NSCU expanded field of membership to the counties of St. Louis, Itasca, Carlton, and Red Lake
2019
We are awarded the National winner of the Desjardin Award for financial education. National Honorable Mention.
2020
We are awarded the National winner of the Desjardin Award for financial education.
2021
We are awarded the State of MN winner of the Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Community Service Award for its social responsibility projects within the community.
2023
We open a new branch in Mountain Iron.
our mission
North Star Credit Union provides high-quality financial services and education to meet the needs of our communities, with a focus on promoting community development.
our vision
Our Vision is to help build thriving communities across Northern Minnesota.
What makes us different
our core values
Teamwork
We believe in improving the member experience at our Minnesota credit union through a team-centered approach. Learning from each other in a cohesive, positive environment, we work through our differences and utilize each other’s strengths.
Integrity
Professional integrity isn’t just a concept—it’s something we’re putting into practice daily. We maintain honesty and ethical principles in our personal decision making process.
Excellence
Our team provides excellence by continually developing ourselves, as well as our methods. We take advantage of technological advancements that improve our member services, as well as employee learning experiences.
Accountability
Each team member values our individual responsibilities to make good decisions. We all hold ourselves and each other accountable—both to each other and to our valued members of our Minnesota credit union.
Respect
Value the member and co-worker’s as an individual in need of our support. Recognize and value each other’s uniqueness and individual responsibility to the team. Consider differing viewpoints and learn each other’s differences to ultimately benefit our members’ experience.
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(218) 666-5940