United 1^st Federal Credit Union is a not for profit financial cooperative. We began in 1943 as St Marys Kraft Employees Federal Credit Union. Membership was only open to the employees of the Kraft bag plant in St Marys, GA. In 1956, membership expanded to include St Marys Railroad Company. In 1979, our name changed to Gilman Paper Employees Federal Credit Union. Membership expanded again in 1983, to local business employees and their families. Also in 1983, our name changed to Gilman United Federal Credit Union. The Blackshear and Eastman member service centers were opened in 1988, and in 1996, the Kingsland member service center opened its doors.

In 2001, the Folkston member service center was opened. From 2001 to 2007, we had a member service center inside of the Wal-mart Supercenter in St Marys. After the sale of our original sponsor group also in 2001, Gilman Paper Company, we changed our name to United 1^st Federal Credit Union. We celebrated our 65^th Credit Union Anniversary in 2008.  

Currently, our membership fields feature over 100 businesses and family members eligible to join United 1^st FCU. Our membership consists of approximately 17,500 people who benefit from low or no cost financial services.