Founded in 1955, BrightBridge Credit Union (BrightBridge) is a state-chartered community credit union with over $2.4 billion in assets. Our Corporate Office is located in Lawrence, Massachusetts. We currently serve over 115,000 members in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island, offering a wide range of savings and loan products, commercial services and digital banking to meet the financial needs of our growing member base. Our network of twenty-eight branches stretching from New Hampshire through Massachusetts down to Rhode Island comprise nineteen community branches and nine workplace branches.
We are focused on serving families, individuals and businesses with the credit union philosophy of "people helping people". We believe in giving back to the communities we serve and demonstrate our commitment through our sponsorships of non-profit organizations, employee volunteer program, and financial literacy initiatives.
Our dedicated Board of Directors & Management team puts you first in all we do.
1955: MVCU is founded as the Communications Workers Employee Credit Union by Union Local 1365 in North Andover, MA. The name quickly changed to Merrimack Valley Credit Union. G. Harvey Ellis was our first General Manager.
1962: We reached the $1 million in assets milestone! Duncan MacLeod is now the General Manager.
1990s: Our field of membership opened up to serve more than 200 employer groups in the Merrimack Valley as well as their family members.
2005: MVCU converted to a community charter, allowing us to serve eligible members in the Merrimack Valley. Peter J. Matthews Jr. is the President & CEO.
2007: Our Corporate Office moved to Lawrence, MA, and we have five branches.
2016: We opened our sixth branch in Seabrook, NH.
2018: MVCU became a state-chartered credit union.
2019: MVCU merged with Bridgewater Credit Union, allowing us to serve members both in the Merrimack Valley and the south-shore region of Massachusetts. John J. Howard became our President & CEO.
2020: MVCU merged with the Ocean Spray Employees Federal Credit Union, expanding our field of membership to include all Ocean Spray employees and contract growers.
2021: MVCU expanded the field of membership to include additional counties in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island.
2023: MVCU merged with RTN Federal Credit Union to welcome 40,000 additional members of RTN's Select Employer Groups and community members.
2025: MVCU merged with Cabot Boston Credit Union, providing 800 new members with a wider choice of products and services as well as greater convenience.
2025: MVCU becomes BrightBridge Credit Union.
We are a financially sound and well-capitalized credit union. What this means is that we can expand the products and services we offer to better fit your financial needs. Despite our growth, our passion for serving our members has never wavered. We have your best interest at heart!
News
BrightBridge Credit Union (BrightBridge) is inviting members and the community to support Boston Children’s Hospital through its Chain of Hearts fundraising campaign, running from now through Friday, April 10, at all BrightBridge branches. The campaign is part of BrightBridge’s partnership with Credit Unions Kids at Heart (CUKH), a nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness and funding scientific research to prevent, treat and cure pediatric neurological diseases, including cerebral palsy, pediatric epilepsy and seizure disorders, pediatric brain cancer, Moyamoya Disease and other complex conditions.
On Friday, Feb. 13, BrightBridge Credit Union (BrightBridge) and Methuen High School came together to host the annual Credit for Life Fair, an immersive financial literacy experience designed to prepare graduating seniors for life beyond high school. Held in the Klimas Field House at Methuen High School, the two-hour simulation challenged students to step into their future by selecting a career aligned with their post-graduation goals and receiving a projected salary. From there, students moved through a series of interactive stations where they made realistic financial decisions they may soon face, including choices around higher education, housing, transportation and everyday living expenses.
BrightBridge Credit Union (BrightBridge) is proud to announce that Consumer Underwriting Manager Matthew Medeiros will be running the 2026 Boston Marathon in partnership with Credit Unions Kids at Heart, a nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness and funding for scientific research to prevent, treat and cure pediatric neurological diseases. All funds raised through his run will directly benefit Boston Children’s Hospital, supporting their critical pediatric care and research. This marks Medeiros’ second time running the Boston Marathon with Credit Unions Kids at Heart. He first ran the marathon in 2019, when he was paired with his patient partner, Vraj, a now 14-year-old boy living with cerebral palsy.
BrightBridge Credit Union (BrightBridge) has officially finalized its merger with Arrha Credit Union (Arrha). The newly merged credit union will operate under the BrightBridge Credit Union name with 23 retail branches, combined assets of nearly $2.4 billion and approximately 125,000 members. Built on a shared commitment to outstanding service, competitive financial solutions and meaningful community engagement, this partnership strengthens both BrightBridge and Arrha.
BrightBridge Credit Union (BrightBridge) is pleased to announce that Laurie LaChapelle has joined the organization as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. LaChapelle has more than 20 years of financial services experience, including extensive leadership within the credit union industry and a deep commitment to the cooperative mission of supporting members and communities. LaChapelle began her career in auditing, spending eight years auditing credit unions and developing a strong understanding of financial operations and industry best practices
