Our History

FirstOntario shares a proud heritage with many communities in southern and south-western Ontario. What was built from solid roots in both Hamilton and St.Catharines has grown into an organization that services over 68,000 Members. We are now one of Ontario's largest financial cooperatives operating in the Niagara Peninsula, Greater Hamilton region, Oakville, Burlington, and southwestern Ontario.

When it all began:

• 1939 A dedicated group of Stelco Steel Company employees in Hamilton, Ontario create the Stelco Employees Credit Union Hamilton Works Limited. They had $54.45 in capital and an initial loan request of $50.00.
• 1949 The St.Catharines Auto Workers' Credit Union opens their doors to serve General Motors employees.
• 1987 Stelco Employees Credit Union changes its name to Avestel Credit Union to reflect their conversion to a community-based and open bond credit union.
• 1981 St.Catharines Auto Workers' Credit Union receives the same recognition and welcomes everyone from the community. They change their name to Family Savings & Credit Union (Niagara) Limited.
• 1999 Avestel and Family Savings vote in favour of merging. Sept. 1st of that year sees the creation of Avestel Family Savings Credit Union.
• 2000 To better reflect its commitment of putting Members first, the credit union changes its name to FirstOntario Credit Union.