Credit union · NCUA insured
Essential Credit Union
A $429.8M credit union headquartered in Baton Rouge, LA, with 31,118 members and 7 branches in 2 states. Best rates: CDs 4.00% and savings 0.60% APY.
Essential Credit Union Carrot Score
80
Carrot Score
Higher than 52% of U.S. banks and credit unions
#12 of 32 in Baton Rouge, LA metroHow the score works →
Deposits are federally insured by the NCUA up to $250,000 per depositor.
About Essential Credit Union
Essential Credit Union is headquartered in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and operates branch locations across Louisiana and Texas, including Baton Rouge, Gonzales, Plaquemine, Walker, and Houston.
The institution is a state-chartered credit union.
- Headquarters
- 2370 Towne Center BLVD, Baton Rouge, LA 70806
- NCUA charter
- 68736
Membership
Who can join
This may be incomplete or out of date, so check with the credit union before you apply.
Where you live or work
- Membership is open to anyone who lives, works, worships, or attends school in the nine parishes of the Greater Baton Rouge Community: East Baton Rouge, West Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, West Feliciana, Ascension, Livingston, Iberville, Pointe Coupee, and St. Helena.
Employers and groups
- Membership is open through membership in the Texas Consumer Council.
- Membership is open to individuals affiliated with Priority Postal or the Post Office in cities including Pasadena, Deer Park, La Porte, Seabrook, Pearland East, Pearland West, South Houston, Channelview, and Galena Park.
Family and household
- Membership is open to family members of individuals affiliated with Priority Postal or the Post Office in designated Texas cities.
Cost to join
- Membership requires opening a Savings Account with a deposit of $5 or more, representing a share in the credit union.
Branches
7 branches in 2 states
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Louisiana
6 branches
- Towne Center-Operations CenterMain office2370 Towne Center BLVD, Baton Rouge, LA 70806Directions
- Siegen FRC6725 Siegen Ln, Suite K, Baton Rouge, LA 70809Directions
- Towne Center2370 Towne Center Blvd, Baton Rouge, LA 70806Directions
- Gonzales FRC1051 N Airline Hwy, Gonzales, LA 70737Directions
- Plaquemine FRC21925 Highway 1, Plaquemine, LA 70764Directions
- Walker FRC28645 Walker Rd S, Walker, LA 70785Directions
Texas
1 branch
- Houston Texas12012 Space Center Blvd, Suite 1000, Houston, TX 77059Directions
Walk-in offices from the NCUA directory as of March 31, 2026. Directions open Google Maps. A nearby branch doesn’t mean you can join or open an account.
Financial details
Well capitalizedas reported to the NCUA
| Measure | This credit union | Peers’ middle | Strongest quarter |
|---|---|---|---|
| CapitalNet worth ratio | 9.06% | 11.43% | 13.58% or more |
| Troubled loans60+ days late | 1.45% | 0.68% | 0.39% or less |
| ProfitabilityReturn on assets | 0.47% | 0.75% | 1.18% or more |
| LendingLoans per $100 deposited | $96 | $76 | — |
- CapitalNet worth ratio9.06%Peers’ middle 11.43% · Top 25% 13.58%+
- Troubled loans60+ days late1.45%Peers’ middle 0.68% · Top 25% ≤0.39%
- ProfitabilityReturn on assets0.47%Peers’ middle 0.75% · Top 25% 1.18%+
- LendingLoans per $100 deposited$96Peers’ middle $76
Compared with the 1,338 credit unions with $100 million to $1 billion in assets. The strongest quarter is what the best 25% of them reach: more capital and profit, fewer troubled loans. Lending has no better end.Troubled loans are loans 60 or more days late.
Regulators’ own ratings of Essential Credit Union are confidential. These figures are what it reports to the NCUA each quarter, set beside its peers; they aren’t a rating.