About 121 Financial Jacksonville’s Hometown Credit Union
Your Hometown. Your Credit Union.
As Jacksonville's hometown credit union, we are dedicated to delivering highly personalized financial services that benefit our members and our community.
Our Mission:
To empower our team to deliver innovative solutions through one-to-one service by focusing on the unique value of every member.
To ensure organizational stability and financial wellness in our community since 1935.
Our mission is growing together, prospering together.
Local Investment
A community is only as strong as its local industry. That’s why we work hard to provide financial support for Jacksonville’s homegrown businesses. We believe in investing our local commerce that the companies that impact our community the most can thrive and grow.
Freedom Boat Club
“It was not very pleasant dealing with other financial institutions. Other banks were not very enthusiastic about helping us with what we needed. They were neither welcoming or accepting. The service and experience of working with 121 Financial was welcoming, and I feel like they were genuinely interested in our business. They provided me with business analysis and worked to help guide my business decisions, which has led to tremendous growth. Our business started with about 13 boats, and now we have 50 boats thanks to 121 Financial.”
Liberty Bakery
“From the very beginning, we sensed something different about 121 Financial: that they were on our side in this new venture. We received great advice on the best options for us, which was in stark contrast to the treatment we received from another bank. They wouldn’t even consider helping us unless we had been in business for several years! We have been in business for over 3 years now, and I am convinced that without 121 Financial, we would still be trying to get our business up and running.”
Shrader’s Smoker Service
“A friend recommended 121 Financial and it turned out to be an excellent experience. They were extremely helpful and made the process very simple. Without 121 Financial, we would not be where we are right now. If not for 121 Financial’s hard work, we would probably be in a smaller building in a different location. It is so easy to do anything with them. They are always willing to help, even with small things like helping me get into my online account if I am having problems. Everyone there seems to want to help.”
Catullo’s Italian
“After we had both been managing in the hospitality industry for years, we decided to break out on our own and start a food truck. After speaking with our bank where we had our personal accounts and realizing they wouldn't help us with the final funds we needed to complete the build out of our truck, we were put in contact with 121 through the SBDC at UNF. 121 was willing to help us after a good conversation about where we were and where we wanted to get to. 121 loaned us the funds to complete the project. Fast forward a few years and we needed capital again when we moved from the truck to the brick and mortar restaurant. 121 was there again to help us out with the funds we needed to finish the restaurant. 121 has been there for us when we needed them most and we are extremely grateful for them in helping us get where we wanted to.”
Want to Learn More?
Discover the all the services, benefits, and support you receive when you become a 121 Financial Business Member.
Community Involvement
At 121 Financial, we are committed to strengthening our community of Jacksonville by supporting local organizations, charities and events that best reflect the values of our members and our community. We select donation and sponsorship opportunities where we can make an impact in our community that promotes the health and well-being of those in need.
“121 Financial has been an outstanding partner in our Chef’s Night In program for several years and have provided many wonderful meals for our guests. We are very appreciative of their continued support.”
Valerie Callahan
Executive Director at Gabriel House of Care
“When these dollars came up short and the future of the Putnam County SBDC was in jeopardy, 121 stepped up and provided this generous donation to keep small business assistance available on a full-time basis. We can’t thank 121 enough for its support of small business lending and of the FSBDC in Putnam County.”
Janice Donaldson
Director at Florida Small Business Development Center at the University of North Florida
Want to Learn More?
Discover the ways we’re making a positive impact in our community, together.
Our History
More Than a Credit Union, an Institution.
121 Financial Has Been Jacksonville’s Hometown Credit Union
for 85 Years & Counting.
1935: Born in the Great Depression
In reaction to the swath of bank failures, Florida Telco Credit Union was born on January 28, 1935— one of the very first credit unions in the US— with an initial capital pool of $155.
1977: First Free-standing Branch
We constructed our first free-standing branch that opened to the public in 1978.
1988: Second Branch Opens
Our second branch opened in downtown Jacksonville located in the Bellsouth Tower (today known as the AT&T Tower), providing more convenience to our members.
1991: Our First Merger
We merged with Gulf Life Employees Federal Credit Union which expanded our local membership eligibility to include insurance company professionals. Two more branches opened in Baymeadows and Orange Park.
1999: Community Charter Obtained
With the obtainment of a community charter, more people in our community qualified for membership. Now those who lived, worked and worshipped in the five northeast Florida counties in the Jacksonville area (Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau and St. Johns) as well as active/retired phone company employees and their families could join our credit union.
2006: Membership Expansion & Business Services
Our membership eligibility continued to expand. We now welcomed those who lived, worked or attended school in six additional adjacent counties (Alachua, Bradford, Columbia, Flagler, Putnam and Union) to join our credit union. For more inclusivity, we also redefined “family members” to include any person related to the primary member by blood or marriage. We launched our Business Lending services to focus on our mission of developing our local community by providing funding for small businesses in the Jacksonville area.
2010: A New Name
We now call ourselves 121 Financial Credit Union. An official name change was needed to better reflect our membership and our dedication to the Jacksonville community.
2015: A New Merger
By merging with Duval Federal Credit Union, we welcomed their members to the 121 Financial family.
2016: Technology Upgrades
A system-wide technology upgrade and the creation of a new management team further improves the financial experience of our members.
2017: A New Home for HQ
We moved our headquarters to Jacksonville’s Riverside neighborhood.
2020: A Jumbo Achievement
121 Financial acquires the naming rights to the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville, introducing 121 Financial Ballpark, home to the double-A Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp baseball team.
