At a glance
From its website, read 2 Nov 2026FIRSTLIGHT FEDERAL CREDIT UNION is a credit union based in El Paso, Texas. Its website describes auto loans, credit-builder loans, home mortgages and 1 other loan type. Stated loan amounts run up to $832,750. Where it lends: Mortgage loans only on properties located in Texas and New Mexico. It says it considers borrowers with low or no credit history. You can start an application online. It serves borrowers in Spanish.
Each point is backed by a quote further down this page. Terms change: confirm with the lender.
How to reach them and apply
| Apply online | Page with the application link |
|---|---|
| Website | firstlightfcu.org |
| Office (official list) | 9983 KENWORTHY ST, El Paso, TX 79924 |
What their website says about applying
Open Your IDA with a Mortgage Loan Officer (MLO).
sourceTo get pre-qualified for a mortgage, you must first create an account.
sourceApply online in minutes and start building a stronger financial future today.
source
Phone numbers and addresses are the ones on the lender's own site and the CDFI Fund list. CDFI Atlas does not take applications.
Rates and terms they state
Read 2 Nov 2026| Loan | Stated | Text on the lender's site (verbatim) | Page |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auto / vehicle loans | Rate stated, not as an APR: see their wording | 4.75%–17.99% | source |
| Auto / vehicle loans | Term: see their wording | 2025–Newer; 48–84 months | source |
As published on the lender's website on that date, not an offer or a quote. Your rate depends on the lender's review. A missing rate means the pages we read did not state one. For consumer loans we repeat a rate only when the lender states it as an APR (annual percentage rate, which includes fees); otherwise read the lender's own wording and ask for the APR.
Who qualifies, in their words
- Membership required
Membership eligibility applies.
source - First-time homebuyer program
First-time home buyer programs with as little as 3% down
source - Income limit applies
Members with household income under $100,000
source - Training or counseling required
Attend six required financial education courses to set you up for success.
source - Low or damaged credit considered
Desgined for members rebuilding or establishing credit
source
Only rules the lender's own pages state. Other requirements may apply.
Official record
CDFI Fund list, 21 Oct 2026| Institution type | Credit union |
|---|---|
| Native CDFI | No |
| Date certified (as listed) | 17 Sep 2013 |
| RSSD ID | 166081 |
| Address | 9983 KENWORTHY ST, El Paso, TX 79924 Directions (Google Maps) |
| Website | firstlightfcu.org |
Head officeBranch or officeApproximate (ZIP code area)
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors, © OpenMapTiles, tiles OpenFreeMap. Head-office points: U.S. Census Bureau geocoder.
Loans and eligibility
Verified from lender site on 2 Nov 2026Read from 7 pages of the lender's website on 2 Nov 2026. Quotes are verbatim. Extracted with AI help from the pages listed below and checked automatically against them. Not reviewed by a person. Confidence: high. No dedicated auto loan page was fetched; auto evidence comes from the home page and the rate table. Terms change — confirm with the lender before applying.
| Product | Amount stated | Text on the lender's site (verbatim, incl. menu labels) | Page |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auto / vehicle loans | — | Refinance your Auto Loan and we'll beat your rate by 1.00% APR | source |
| Credit-builder loans | — | Our Credit Rebuilder Loan Program gives you tools, support, and a clear path forward. | source |
| Home mortgages | — | Refinance your existing mortgage with a traditional or jumbo home loan | source |
| Personal / consumer loans | — | Signature Loans | source |
Loan sizes
can be used for financing up to $832,750
sourceMortgage loans up to $750,000, 97% LTV with no private mortgage insurance (PMI)
sourceUp to $250K and max 20 - year terms
source
Range used for the size filter: not stated to $832,750
Service area
Mortgage loans only on properties located in Texas and New Mexico
All loans are subject to credit qualification and approval. Mortgage loans are available only on properties located in Texas and New Mexico.
source
Statewide: Texas
Borrower focus
Languages
- Spanish
Hablo Español
source
Online application
Yes — the site links to an application. Apply online in minutes and start building a stronger financial future today.
source
Pages read (7)
- https://www.firstlightfcu.org/
- https://www.firstlightfcu.org/borrow/mortgage-loans/mortgage-loan-programs.html
- https://www.firstlightfcu.org/borrow/personal-loans/credit-rebuilder-loan-program.html
- https://www.firstlightfcu.org/borrow/mortgage-loans/firstlight-home-match-programs.html
- https://www.firstlightfcu.org/borrow/mortgage-loans/meet-our-loan-officers.html
- https://www.firstlightfcu.org/post/opinion_why_a_nationwide_10_credit_card_rate_cap_could_backfire_on_consumers.html
- https://www.firstlightfcu.org/rates/loans-rates.html
Questions to ask when you contact them
Based on what their website said when we read it on 2 Nov 2026, and what it left out. Something missing here does not mean they don't offer it: ask.
- How do I become a member, and is there a fee or a minimum deposit?
Credit unions lend only to their members. - Is there a minimum loan amount?
Their website gives a maximum ($832,750) but no minimum. - What is the APR, including fees, on your auto loans and credit-builder loans?
Their website states a rate, but not as an APR. The APR includes fees, so it is the number to compare. - What documents will you need from me, and how long does a decision usually take?
Their website describes some application steps (above); ask for the full document list.
Write down the answers, who you spoke to and the date, and ask for the terms in writing before you sign.
CDFI Fund awards
CDFI Fund database, 3 Nov 2026$4.2 million in 4 awards from the U.S. Treasury's CDFI Fund, 2013–2024 (CDFI Program, Financial Assistance).
| Round year | Program | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | CDFI Program, Financial Assistance | $1,285,000 |
| 2022 | CDFI Program, Financial Assistance | $797,900 |
| 2019 | CDFI Program, Financial Assistance | $799,000 |
| 2013 | CDFI Program, Financial Assistance | $1,347,000 |
These are awards and investments made to the institution itself to build its capital and capacity. They are not loans to borrowers, and an award does not mean the lender has money available for a particular loan today.
Source: CDFI Fund Searchable Awards Database, all 12,628 award records (1996–2025), read 3 Nov 2026. Years are the award round as the database lists it. Matched to the official CDFI list by exact name and state; see the method on the About page.
Branches and size
NCUA, 30 Jun 2026On file with the NCUA as FIRSTLIGHT (charter 10174). Source: NCUA 5300 Call Report quarterly data (public data) as of 30 Jun 2026, downloaded 3 Nov 2026: total assets, members and branch addresses.
| Total assets | $1.6 billion (as of 30 Jun 2026) |
|---|---|
| Members | 97,419 (as of 30 Jun 2026) |
| Offices | 12 in 2 states (as of 30 Jun 2026) |
Offices by state and county (12)
Texas (9 offices)
- El Paso County (9): 9909 Kenworthy St, El Paso 79924 (main office); 1555 N Lee Trevino Dr, El Paso 79936; 1635 Pike Rd, El Paso 79906; 2200 N Zaragoza Rd, El Paso 79938; 5050 N Desert Blvd, El Paso 79912; 9983 Kenworthy St, El Paso 79924; 9993 Kenworthy St, El Paso 79924; 20727 Constitution Ave, Fort Bliss 79918; 15002 Darrington Rd, Horizon City 79928
New Mexico (3 offices)
- Doña Ana County (3): 3105 Del Rey Blvd, Las Cruces 88012; 3791 E Lohman Ave, Las Cruces 88011; 522 E Idaho Ave, Las Cruces 88001
An office shows where the lender has a branch, not where it lends or whom it lends to. Credit unions serve members only; check who can join. For the ZIP-code search, credit-union offices are placed at the centre of their ZIP code (approximate).
What the regulator filing shows
NCUA 5300, 30 Jun 2026Figures from the 5300 Call Report filed by FIRSTLIGHT FEDERAL CREDIT UNION (NCUA charter 10174, filed as “FIRSTLIGHT”). Source: NCUA 5300 Call Report quarterly data (public data), cycle 30 Jun 2026; year-earlier figures from the 30 Jun 2025 cycle; downloaded 3 Nov 2026.
| Total loans and leases | $1.34 billion, 44,575 loans (as of 30 Jun 2026) |
|---|---|
| Change over the year | Up 9.2% from $1.23 billion on 30 Jun 2025 |
| Members | 97,419 (as of 30 Jun 2026); 99,396 (as of 30 Jun 2025) |
| Loans per member | $13,782 (total loans divided by members, 30 Jun 2026) |
| Total assets | $1.63 billion (as of 30 Jun 2026) |
Loan mix (balances on 30 Jun 2026)
| Loan category | Balance | Share |
|---|---|---|
| New vehicle loans | $136 million | 10.1% |
| Used vehicle loans | $219.9 million | 16.4% |
| First-lien home mortgages (1-4 family) | $404.6 million | 30.1% |
| Other real estate loans (junior liens, other) | $18.7 million | 1.4% |
| Commercial (business) loans | $414.6 million | 30.9% |
| Credit cards | $55.8 million | 4.2% |
| Other unsecured loans | $61.2 million | 4.6% |
| Leases and other secured loans | $31.7 million | 2.4% |
Balances are loans outstanding on the report date, not loans made during the year. A category with no balance does not mean the credit union never makes that kind of loan. Credit unions lend to members only; check who can join.
Home loans reported under HMDA (2025)
FFIEC HMDA data, 2025FIRSTLIGHT FEDERAL CREDIT UNION reported 261 originated home loans for 2025 under the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, totaling about $40.7M (median loan about $125,000). 84 were home-purchase loans.
By loan purpose
| Purpose | Loans | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Home purchase | 84 | 32% |
| Refinance (incl. 170 cash-out) | 177 | 68% |
By loan type
| Loan type | Loans | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Conventional | 243 | 93% |
| FHA-insured | 10 | 3.8% |
| VA-guaranteed | 8 | 3.1% |
Where the loans were made
Counties with the most 2025 originations, out of 9 counties with at least one; 69% of its 2025 loans were for properties in Texas:
- El Paso County, TX (175)
- Doña Ana County, NM (76)
- Otero County, NM (3)
Filed under LEI 549300SGEJUQK4Q7ZY34 as “FIRSTLIGHT FEDERAL CREDIT UNIO”; matched by its RSSD ID on the CDFI Fund list, which the HMDA reporter panel links to this LEI.
Source: FFIEC Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) data for 2025, snapshot frozen 2 Jun 2026, loan-level records read through the CFPB HMDA Data Browser API on 3 Nov 2026. Originated loans only; applications that were denied, withdrawn or not accepted are not counted. HMDA publishes each loan amount as the middle of a $10,000 band, so totals and medians are approximate. Counts under 3 are not shown. How we match lenders.
How it compares
Computed from public data| Measure | This lender | Compared with |
|---|---|---|
| Largest loan its website states | $832,750 | Other credit unions whose website states a maximum: median $60,000. Higher than the stated maximum of 92% of these 64. |
| Total assets (Call Report, 30 Jun 2026) | $1.63 billion | Larger than 93% of the 14 other certified credit unions in Texas (median $169.6 million). |
| Loans as a share of assets | 82% | Median of the same 14 credit unions: 74%. A higher share means more of its balance sheet is lent out. |
| Loans held, 30 Jun 2025 → 30 Jun 2026 | $1.23 billion → $1.34 billion (+9%) | Median change of 14 other certified credit unions in Texas: +3%. Rank by loans held among these 15: 2 → 2. |
| Home loans originated in 2025 (HMDA) | 261 | More than 74% of the 263 other certified CDFIs that reported 3 or more (119 at the median). Volume only; nothing here is an approval rate. |
How these comparisons were worked out
| Measure | Peer group (this lender left out) | Peers | Where this lender sits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Largest stated loan | other credit unions stating a maximum, nationwide | 64 | higher than 92% |
| Call Report total assets | other certified credit unions in Texas | 14 | larger than 93% |
| Loans held then vs now | certified credit unions in Texas reporting both dates | 14 | rank 2 → 2 of 15 |
| HMDA home loans | certified CDFIs with 3+ originations in 2025, nationwide | 263 | more than 74% |
“Larger than X%” = the share of the peer group with a smaller value. Ranks count from the largest. Peer groups use the lender's home state when it has at least 5 peers, otherwise the whole country. Full definitions: methodology.
For comparison, not an offer and not a rating. Past records show what this lender did, not what you would be offered. Peer groups and sources: methodology. Assets and loans: FFIEC and NCUA Call Reports (see the loan-mix section). Home loans: FFIEC/CFPB HMDA data.
SBA loans approved
SBA data as of 30 Sep 2026The SBA's public loan data lists 1 SBA-backed approval for FIRSTLIGHT FEDERAL CREDIT UNION in fiscal years 2020–2026 (October 2019 to September 2026):
- 1 504 projects as the third-party (first-lien) lender
By fiscal year: FY2020 0 · FY2021 0 · FY2022 0 · FY2023 0 · FY2024 1 · FY2025 0 · FY2026 0.
By program
- 504 projects (as the third-party lender) (1, 100%)
How this lender was matched in the SBA files: 504 third-party lender name: same name, state and city (SBA lists “FirstLight Federal Credit Union”).
Approved is not the same as paid out: an approved loan can be reduced or never drawn. SBA lists the lender each loan is currently assigned to, which can differ after a merger or loan sale. FIRSTLIGHT FEDERAL CREDIT UNION may also make loans outside SBA programs, which are not counted here, and SBA Microloans are not in these files. For 504 projects, the CDC amount is the SBA-backed portion and the third-party lender amount is that lender's own first-lien loan.
Source: U.S. Small Business Administration, 7(a) & 504 FOIA loan data, files as of 30 Sep 2026, downloaded 3 Nov 2026. Our counts, cancelled approvals left out. How we match lenders.
Other certified CDFIs in El Paso and Texas
- BORDERPLEX COMMUNITY CAPITAL, INCLoan fund · El Paso, TXCommercial real estate loans, Equipment loans, Microloans, Small-business loansVerified
- GECU Federal Credit UnionCredit union · El Paso, TXAuto / vehicle loans, Commercial real estate loans, Equipment loans, Home mortgages…Verified
- Mountain Star Federal Credit UnionCredit union · El Paso, TXAuto / vehicle loans, Personal / consumer loansVerified
- ONE SOURCE FEDERAL CREDIT UNIONCredit union · El Paso, TXAuto / vehicle loans, Home repair / improvement loans, Home mortgages, Personal / consumer loansVerified
- Raiz Federal Credit UnionCredit union · El Paso, TXAuto / vehicle loansVerified
- Tigua Community Development CorporationLoan fund · El Paso, TX · Native CDFIOfficial list only
Work at FIRSTLIGHT FEDERAL CREDIT UNION? Link to this page
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