DEARBORN — A local credit union boasts a membership that’s 40 percent Arabic.  In addition, Arabic speaking employees are ready to assist with opening an account, applying for a loan or making transactions and are available over the phone. 

“We cater to the Arab American community by providing services to them every day,” said Amane Qashou, branch manager of MemberFocus Community Credit Union, located at 6246 Chase Rd. The credit union has been open since 1935. 

It only takes $5 to open an account with MemberFocus. 

“After that, we do not have any minimum balance requirements or monthly fees,” Qashou said. “Our rates are very competitive. We work with our members with a simple yes or no.”

“It is a non-profit financial institution operating a little differently than big banks,” said Evan Kingsbury, marketing director. “Our non-profit status allows us to offer better rates and fewer fees.”

For every account that is opened, MemberFocus is making a donation to an organization in the community as a way of giving back. 

“When a customer joins MemberFocus, they would pay $5. The credit union will in return donate $5 to a number of organizations,” Kingsbury said. 

Currently, the credit union is sponsoring Friends for the Dearborn Animal Shelter. 

According to Kingsbury, all members of the credit union are considered equal members regardless of how much money is in their respective accounts. 

“They all have equal rights and have the right to vote in credit union elections for the supervising committee and board members once a year,” he said.

MemberFocus is part of the co-op network. Members have access to more than 5,000 credit union locations and 28,000 ATMs nationwide. 

Youth savings accounts are offered from birth. For every $10 or $25 deposit, youth members will be entered into a raffle for a chance to win $50 cash. 

Members are given a loan discount when they first join the credit union. 

“Any loan newcomers need, we give it to them at half a percent off,” Kingsbury said. “We try to make it as simple as possible for people to be a member of our credit union. We are a non-profit institution and are not trying to make money out of our customers. At MemberFocus we want to help our members and give them the tools to improve their situation financially.”

For more information on the MemberFocus Community Credit Union, call 313.581.2002 or visit www.memberfocus.org.