People First Federal Credit Union Reports 33% Growth Over Five Years as It Expands Personalized Banking

ATLANTA, GA, October 19, 2026 (EZ Newswire) -- People First Federal Credit Union has grown its business by more than 33% over the past five years, according to President and CEO Howie Meller, as the credit union expands personalized financial services across Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and eastern Ohio. People First now serves 78,000 members through nine branches and has more than $1 billion in assets.

“My team and I have grown the business by over 33% in five years,” said Meller. “Members are choosing People First because we do banking differently. And that growth belongs to my team. They show up every day for our members and for each other. I’m lucky to work with them.”

That growth builds on a history dating to 1950, when a group of Mack Trucks assembly line workers pooled their paychecks to create a financial institution that worked for their community. By the early 2000s, People First had expanded to reach more people who needed them most, while continuing to build its reputation one relationship at a time.

People First offers checking and savings, CDs, investments, mortgages, commercial lending, and real estate loans. But ask Meller what really sets the credit union apart, and he’ll point to philosophy long before products. “We want to be relevant to people and accountable to the community we’re part of,” he said. “Every decision starts with one question: What makes our members’ lives easier? That’s how we run this credit union.”

This means meeting members wherever they are. People First has invested in the same technology as the biggest banks — video associates, secure texting, AI-driven chat, and digital tools built for real life. “Convenience isn’t a luxury anymore,” said Meller. “It’s the baseline.”

People First has also built products you won’t find elsewhere. The Smart Saver Account offers a premium interest rate on the first $2,500 in savings — fully liquid, no penalties. “Normally, you have to have money to make money. We wanted to change that,” explained Meller. “Smart Saver is built for members historically locked out of the best rates.”

That same thinking shaped the Hometown Heroes Checking Account, which honors first responders, medical professionals, teachers, military members, veterans, and nonprofit staff with a 4% APY on balances up to $25,000 — plus a rate reduction and $1,000 toward closing costs for homebuyers. “These are the people who hold our communities together,” said Meller.

The Youth Account extends that philosophy to the next generation, rewarding children $5 for every grade higher than a B on their report card — up to $20 — and a birthday gift to their account each year. The message: Achievement is worth celebrating, and families have a partner invested in their children’s futures.

The People First Difference

Meller spent 30 years in big banking before joining People First, rising from teller to CEO. “I learned a lot, and I respect the people I worked with,” he said. “But our approach here is different, and that difference matters.”

You see it in how People First lends. “We start every conversation looking for a way to say yes,” said Meller. “Our team spends its time making loans work for our members. It’s never just a computer model.”

76 years ago, it took a group of assembly line workers pooling paychecks to build something their community didn’t have. Today, Meller’s job is making sure 78,000 members never lose that feeling of being the only one in the room, and that the next generation finds them ready when it’s their turn.

About People First Federal Credit Union

Our purpose is simple but powerful: help others achieve their hopes and dreams, invest in creating a better community and always put people first. We’re a member-owned, caring provider of financial services, committed to helping the people of the Lehigh Valley and beyond to improve their lives and secure a better future. We’re a federally chartered and insured credit union that has been serving the Lehigh Valley since 1950. For more information, visit peoplefirst.com.

Media Contact

tyler.welk@peoplefirst.com