Our Banking society is a member-owned financial cooperative, democratically controlled by its members, and operated for the purpose of promoting careful budgeting, providing credit at competitive rates, and providing other financial services to its members.
IT PAYS TO BE A MEMBER.
We have all the same products and services, so at first glance, First Interest Credit Bank (FICB), Is an independent financial planning and investment management firm founded in 1934. We specialize in personalized, professional service to help individuals, organizations, and businesses establish and maintain their long-term financial goals.
BECOME A MEMBER
What is needed to become a member:
Minors (0-17 yrs):
• Child’s Birth Certificate
• Parent’s Passport & Another Valid ID e.g. National Voter’s ID, Drivers License, etc.
• Job Letter
• Social Security Card
• Proof of Address within the last 6 months and in your name (NB if renting a letter must be provided by your Landlord, along with the actual Bill)
• Letter from parent stating that you support your child financially and the child lives with you at a particular address
• Opening Minimum E.C. £ 120.00
• You are also required to make an appointment to open an account. To make your appointment please call 07354013713
Please note that persons other than the parents or guardians of the child/children require a letter of permission from the parent with which the child resides.
Adults (18+ yrs):
• Passport, & Another Valid ID e.g. National Voter’s ID or Drivers License, etc
• Employed Persons: Job Letter to include salary/ wage, occupation, starting date. No more than 6 months old
• Self Employed Persons: Unregistered- Service provider require two reference letters from persons you provide the service to stating how often you provide this service and your rate.
• Unemployed Persons: Letter from individual who will be supporting the account, along with their job letter and valid ID.
• Social Security Card
• Proof of Address within the last 6 months and in your name (NB if renting a letter must be provided by your Landlord, along with the actual Bill)
• Opening Minimum E.C. £ 560.00
• You are also required to make an appointment to open an account. To make your appointment please call 07354013713
• Browse on our webpage for Online Adult Application Form
Please note for students who reside with parents the following must be provided in addition to the above mentioned documents:
• Birth Certificate
• Letter from Parent/Guardian with whom you reside, confirming that you live at the submitted address and that they support you financially.
Seniors/Retirees:
• Passport & Another Valid ID e.g. National Voter’s ID, Drivers License, etc.
• Pension Letter from Social Security or Treasury – stating the pension amount received
• Social Security Card
• Proof of Address within the last 6 months and in your name (NB if renting a letter must be provided by your Landlord, along with the actual Bill)
• Opening Minimum E.C. £920.00
• You are also required to make an appointment to open an account. To make your appointment please call 07354013713
Foreign Currency Account (F.C.A)/ Non-Residential Account
• FICB Member Application Form (Notarized)
• Valid Passport & Another Valid ID e.g. National Voter’s ID, Drivers License, etc. (Notarized)
• Job Letter (Notarized)
• Proof of Address within the last 6 months and in your name (Utility Bill or Bank Statement)
• Opening Minimum E.C. £4,925.00
• Once completed, please scan and email all documents for approval to:
Email: info@firstinterestcb.co.uk / contact@firstinterestcb.co.uk
• A minimum opening deposit of E.C. £4,425.00, is required to activate account. Please note that we cannot receive wire transfers or foreign checks. You would therefore need to send the money to start your account to a relative to deposit on your behalf.
Individuals Citizens Overseas:
• FICB Member Application Form (Notarized)
• Valid Passport & Another Valid ID e.g. National Voter’s ID, Driver’s License, etc. (Notarized)
• Job Letter (Notarized)
• Proof of Address within the last 6 months and in your name (Utility Bill or Bank Statement)
• Opening Minimum E.C. £2,025.00
• Once completed, please scan and email all documents for approval to:
Email:info@firstinterestcb.co.uk
• A minimum opening deposit of E.C. £1,025.00, is required to activate account. Please note that we cannot receive wire transfers or foreign checks. You would therefore need to send the money to start your account to a relative to deposit on your behalf.
Please note ALL documents must be clearly copied and notarized within your country of residence.
Joint Account
• Two (2) passport sized pictures required for each signatory
• Any Valid ID (Passport, Drivers License, National ID, SSNIT Biometric Card, Social Security Number or Tax ID) of each signatory
• A recent utility bill of place of residence required for each account signatory
• Director to the homes of each account signatory
• Opening fee Minimum £2,425.00
Unincorporated Business:
Sole Proprietors
• Business Registration Certificate from Intellectual Property
• Passport and one other Valid Photo ID and
• Proof of Address (POA)
• Opening minimum E.C £ 3700.00
• You are also required to make an appointment to open an account. To make your appointment please call 07354013713
Partnerships
• Business Registration Certificate from Intellectual Property
• Letter of permission from the partner(s)
• Passport and one other Valid Photo ID
• Proof of Address (POA)
• Opening minimum E.C £2050.00
• You are also required to make an appointment to open an account. To make your appointment please call 07354013713
Incorporated Business:
• Certificate of Incorporation
• Articles of Incorporation
• Resolution
• Passport and one other Valid Photo ID and Proof of Address (POA) for all Directors
• If beneficial owners are different from Directors then their Passport and one other Valid Photo ID & Proof of Address (POA) are required
• Job letter from chairman or vice chair if opening personal account.
• You are also required to make an appointment to open an account. To make your appointment please call 07354013713
Groups/Club:
• Letter requesting permission to open account-listing signatories
• Job letter for all signatories
• Registered groups also need to provide their registration documents
• Signatories: Valid Passport & another ID e.g. National Voter’s ID, Driver’s License, etc.
• Social Security Card
• Proof of Address within the last 6 months and in your name (NB if renting a letter must be provided by your Landlord, along with the actual Bill)
• Opening Minimum E.C. £ 1750.00
• You are also required to make an appointment to open an account. To make your appointment please call 07354013713
Special Notes: Non-Nationals require Temporary Residency or a Work Permit which MUST be stamped in your Passport i.e. All Passport Holders other than Antiguans.
Accepted Proof of Addresses:
• Utility Bill e.g. water, electricity, telephone, internet or cable
• Post-Paid Cell Phone Bills
• Stamped and Dated Printouts or Bank Statements
Please note: Proof of Addresses in care of (c/o) and P.O. Boxes are NOT acceptable
How to Reactivate a Dormant Account:
Dear Member, to reactivate your account you will require the following:
• A job letter addressed to First Interest Credit Bank If you are self-employed, your business registration certificate
• If you are a student/minor, you will need a detailed job letter from the individual you reside with, along with a signed letter from that person stating they support you financially. The letter should also include their contact number.
• Your Passport and one other valid government issued Identification (Social Security Card, National Voter’s ID, etc.)
• Students also require their Student ID
• A recent utility bill (telephone, electricity, internet or water), stamped credit card or bank statement, which bears your name and address.
• The proof of address should not be dated more than 6 months prior the current month.
For members who are unable to provide proof of address bearing their name (minor accounts included), a (utility) bill accompanied by a letter of verification from the person whose name the bill is in may be used. The letter should be dated and addressed to FICB confirming that you reside at the particular address, and signed by the bill holder with their contact information.
Bank statements should be stamped by the respective institutions to confirm validity.
For members with joint accounts both members are required to provide the documents outlined above to have the account reactivated.
For members residing overseas, all copies of the documents required must be notarized.
Accounts are reactivated at the teller station.
How to become a member?
1. The first step towards becoming a member involves the purchase of permanent shares.
2. What are permanent shares you may ask? These are long-term financial investment in the future of your cooperation, First Interest.
3. As a member (18 years and older) you are required to purchase a minimum of 40 permanent shares at E.C. £180.00 each, totalling E.C£ 450.00. However feel free to purchase more.
4. Each share you purchase helps secure a future for your Bank
5. Additional for every share you purchase you receive returns on your investment in terms of dividends which are deposited into your savings annually once the credit union obtains favourable returns.
6. It is in your best interest and the interest of the investment that you purchase more permanent shares.
7. In addition to the Four Hundred and fifty pounds sterling (£450.00) required for permanent shares, there is a One Hundred and eighty pounds Sterling (£180) entrance fee. Potential members are required to bring their Passport and another form of valid picture ID, Social Security Card, a Job letter/Business Registration Certificate, work permit (if applicable) and proof of address (current utility bill, bank statement etc.) in order to qualify for membership at First Interest Credit Bank (FICB).
8. Persons living abroad who wish to start an account are required to email notarized copies of the documents listed and completed membership form.
9. Once you have met all these requirements, you are a legal member and as such entitled to all services and products offered and any additional benefits of membership.
Ready to become a member?
Benefits of Becoming a Member
The main benefits of First Interest Credit bank account includes low levels of financial risk and high levels of privacy. Our Banking law prevents the bank from disclosing any information regarding an account{Even its existence} without the depositors permission, except in cases where severe criminal activity is suspected.
Benefits for you
You are an owner. Every member of First Interest Credit Bank is an owner with equal voting power. Whether you have ten dollars or ten million dollars, you have one vote and a say on how we do things.
You are the center of our universe.
You have access to a national network of ATMs. Investment Banks work together, which means you have access to over 4,000 surcharge-free ATMs across United Kingdom - a larger network than most banks!
Your deposits are 100% guaranteed. More than one million British enjoy the solid security and peace of mind that comes from saving at our Investment Bank.
The Investment Society Deposit Insurance Corporation of UK, a statutory corporation, protects all UK Banking depositors. Security, dependability, and trust - that's the unbeatable combination you will find at First Interest Credit Banking.
You can feel good about banking. Banking have a set of cooperative principles and fundamental beliefs that guide their actions. Honesty, openness, social responsibility, and caring for others are the ethical values that keep us focused on positively impacting our members, employees and the globe.
You are part of something big. First Interest Credit Bank is part of a global cooperative movement. Join millions of other people as we work to create a more equitable, sustainable and resilient world.
Members are also eligible to apply for First Interest Credit Bank Scholarships, Small Business Bursaries, and sponsorships to attend YES Leadership Camp - a week-long summer camp that teaches leadership and team-building skills.