Financial Security Credit Union Builds Relationships While Providing Financial Services to the Carlsbad Region

Residents and business leaders in Carlsbad, New Mexico, have a powerful partner in their financial journey through Financial Security Credit Union (FSCU). Serving all of Eddy County, FSCU welcomes anyone who lives, works, worships, or attends school in the area.

As a not-for-profit, member-owned cooperative, FSCU is guided by the philosophy of “people helping people.” Unlike traditional banks, credit unions like FSCU return earnings to members through higher savings rates, lower loan rates, and personalized service.

FSCU is also federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), providing members with peace of mind that their funds are protected, just like at a bank, but with the added value of local ownership and community focus.

“When you open a membership with us, your money stays right here in the credit union, and in your community,” says Ashley Switzer, Marketing Director at FSCU. “We reinvest in our members, not shareholders.”

Since 1954, FSCU has been proud to call Eddy County home, building financial security and economic opportunity for generations of families and businesses.

FSCU Builds Financial Partnerships Across Eddy County

FSCU provides everything you need from a trusted local financial institution: savings and checking accounts, personal and business loans, digital banking, and more. Members also benefit from free financial counseling, helping individuals and families develop personalized strategies to achieve financial goals, from reducing debt to planning for business growth.

These resources go beyond dollars and cents—they build confidence and connection. At FSCU, members are more than account numbers; they’re neighbors.
“We live here and take pride in getting to know the people we serve,” says Switzer. “If there’s ever something we can’t handle, chances are we know someone local who can help. That’s the value of community.”

“FSCU reinvests in the same people and places we serve,” says Kristen Gamboa, Executive Director of the Carlsbad Department of Development (CDOD). “Their community-first approach is exactly the kind of partnership that helps Carlsbad grow from the ground up.”

FSCU Gives Back Through Education and Involvement 

FSCU is committed to a vision of “Thriving For Our Growing Community,” and has become deeply woven into Eddy County.  Last year, FSCU employees volunteered over 350 hours, and FSCU donated over $46,000 to various local causes and nonprofits. One standout initiative was the “Shoe Us Some Love” donation match campaign, designed to support a winter shoe distribution in partnership with the Assistance League of Carlsbad, ensuring that children in need would have multiple pairs of warm, well-fitting shoes for the season.

However, one of the coolest and most impactful ways FSCU gives back is investing in financial education. Through regional school partnerships, employees bring financial literacy to life, equipping students with real-world skills that set them up for success.

At the elementary level, kids learn the basics of money, including the importance of having a signature and understanding how checking accounts work. In high school classrooms, the focus shifts to financial planning, budgeting, saving, and preparing for life after graduation.

“You can get a checking account anywhere, but the value system at FSCU makes us stand out,” says Switzer.

FSCU Has a Professional Relationship With the CDOD

The leadership team at FSCU believes involvement in Eddy County's growth plans is essential. At FSCU, giving back isn’t limited to donations or volunteer hours, it also means stepping into leadership roles that shape the region’s future. That’s why FSCU’s Marketing Director, Ashley Switzer, serves on the board of the Carlsbad Department of Development (CDOD), the organization driving growth and investment in the area.

Switzer is committed to Carlsbad’s growth and has been on the board for a couple of years now. She now serves on the executive committee and guides long-term development strategies. 

“We get a lot of value from networking, building professional relationships, and working with a forward-thinking organization like the CDOD,” says Switzer. “It’s all about getting in the rooms with the right people who care about Carlsbad’s future.”

This leadership involvement aligns directly with FSCU’s mission: keeping as much money and opportunity in Carlsbad as possible, empowering residents and local businesses to thrive. As CDOD works to attract new employers, support entrepreneurs, and expand existing companies, FSCU continues to provide the financial tools, guidance, and community connection to help bring those goals to life.

Together, FSCU and CDOD are helping shape a more vibrant, resilient Carlsbad—one initiative, one partnership, and one member at a time.

Explore Other Partners in Carlsbad

Business owners of new and existing companies can develop relationships with FSCU to support their growth efforts. CDOD works closely with companies across Eddy County to identify their needs and resolve pain points. Contact the team at CDOD to learn more about the business development ecosystem of Carlsbad, Eddy County, New Mexico.

Carlsbad, New Mexico, is growing. Make sure you have the right professional relationships to grow with it.