ESL Federal Credit Union

ESL Federal Credit Union
TypeCredit union
IndustryFinancial services
Founded1920
HeadquartersRochester, New York
Area served
Greater Rochester Area
Key peopleTom Rogers, president & CEO
ProductsSavings, checking, consumer loans, mortgages, credit cards, online banking, mobile banking, business banking
Total assets$10.6 billion
Number of employees
1,000
SubsidiariesESL Investment Services, LLC; ESL Trust Services, LLC; Cooper/Haims Advisors, LLC; Alesco Advisors
Websiteesl.org

ESL Federal Credit Union is a full-service financial institution with headquarters in Rochester, New York. The locally owned financial institution employs more than 1,000 people in Rochester, New York, and includes more than 465,000 members and 18,700 businesses.

Access to the credit union includes 33 branch locations and more than 40 ATM locations, locally based telephone and internet chat centers, and online and mobile banking channels. Membership in ESL is open to employees of Eastman Kodak, members of the George Eastman House, and residents of Rochester, among others.

The company has appeared on annual Great Place to Work lists since 2010 when it was first named a Best Medium Workplace. ESL has also been named a Best Workplace for Women, Best Workplaces for Millennials, Best Workplaces in Financial Services & Insurance, and Best Workplaces in New York State.

History

ESL Federal Credit Union was chartered in 1920 as Eastman Savings and Loan Association by George Eastman, founder of Eastman Kodak Company. Eastman’s intent was to provide his employees with a financial institution that served their financial needs by providing savings accounts and mortgages.

On February 1, 1996, Eastman Savings and Loan changed its charter from a U.S. bank to a federal credit union, changing its name to ESL Federal Credit Union.

Community Giving

The organization also supports local communities through its Community Impact initiative, which averages approximately $20 million in annual philanthropic grants. Since 1996, ESL has distributed an annual Owners' Dividend to eligible members. In 2025, the credit union distributed approximately $29 million through the program.

Wealth Management

The credit union has expanded its wealth management business, including adding Trust Services in 2017, acquiring Cooper/Haims Advisors in 2019, Alesco Advisors in 2025 , and Generations Bank in 2026.

ESL is the largest locally owned financial institution in the Greater Rochester area, and the second largest credit union in New York State. ESL is in the top 1% of national credit unions ranked by assets.

References

  1. ↑ "ESL Federal Credit Union named among best workplaces in state | Orleans Hub". Retrieved 2026-10-23.
  2. ↑ Rohring, Xander (2026-06-09). "ESL Federal Credit Union Named to List of Best Workplaces in New York State for 2026". Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved 2026-10-23.
  3. ↑ Clausen, Todd (October 1, 2015). "M&T Bank, ESL largest in Rochester". Gannett. Democrat & Chronicle. Retrieved October 1, 2015.
  4. ↑ "Dixon Schwabl, ESL named to best workplaces list". Rochester Business Journal. September 8, 2010. Retrieved October 29, 2026.
  5. ↑ Work, Great Place To. "ESL Federal Credit Union". Great Place To Work®. Retrieved 2026-10-29.
  6. ↑ Oklobzija, Kevin (November 12, 2020). "ESL's mission remains the same after 100 years: To build a prosperous community". Rochester Business Journal. Retrieved January 7, 2023.
  7. ↑ Bjorhus, Jennifer (26 November 2012). "Thrivent's bank will become a credit union". Star Tribune. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  8. ↑ Cleveland, Will (2026-08-20). "Purpose is the bottom line for this 'finance guy'". Rochester Beacon. Retrieved 2026-10-23.
  9. ↑ Deckert, Andrea (January 21, 2025). "ESL distributes $29M to members in annual owners' dividend payout".{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  10. ↑ Spicer, Velvet (July 28, 2017). "ESL launches trust unit". Rochester Business Journal.
  11. ↑ Fanelli, Gino (August 15, 2019). "ESL to buy Cooper/Haims Advisors". Rochester Business Journal.
  12. ↑ "$6B RIA Alesco Advisors Acquired By Local Credit Union". Wealth Management. Retrieved 2026-10-23.
  13. ↑ Deckert, Andrea (January 5, 2026). "ESL complete $26.2M acquisition, expands regional footprint".
  14. ↑ Holdefehr, John. "Top 100 Credit Unions in USA (Cash Assets)". USA Credit Unions.