About Us

Helping you achieve your version of financial success. 

About us? It's actually all about you.

When you're a member of CommonWealth One, you matter. Your financial dreams, goals and journey become our priority. That's the difference you'll find here. 

Members are part-owners

Our not-for-profit status benefits you

Rates designed for maximum value

Attentive, personalized service 

From war-time service to modern-day expertise

Let's start with the brief history lesson: It all started small in 1944 as Army Air Force Annex #1 Federal Credit Union at Gravelly Point in Washington, D.C. Just a few people and a few dollars. 

That generation wouldn't recognize CommonWealth One today, except for one crucial detail. We're still and always will be committed to our members and helping them achieve their financial goals. 

There's been tremendous change across the decades, with more than 38,000 members and $550 million in assets today and branches in Alexandria, VA, Washington, D.C., and Harrisonburg, VA. We have grown and adapted to different ways people want to manage money, and we've created new financial solutions to meet current needs. 

It's all part of our effort to form long-term relationships that improve the lives of our members and community.
CommonWealth One is different from a bank because we're a not-for-profit financial cooperative owned and controlled by its members. We answer to you, not shareholders. And any profits we make are returned to you as better rates on loans and deposits, and lower (or no) fees compared to other financial institutions. 

You'll find us active in your neighborhood because we're dedicated to giving back to the communities where we work and live. Like all credit unions, we are regulated by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), a federal agency. Your deposits are insured up to at least $250,000 and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States government.

Our Commitment to You

For You, For Life. It's more than a slogan. It’s our culture of service and promise to members, today and wherever tomorrow leads. We are your financial ally and expert, and we are engaged every step of the way.

  • Rupert J. Jennings, III, Chairman
    Rupert Jennings has been a member of CommonWealth One for over 40 years. He joined the credit union while working for the Federal Government at the Headquarters, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, where he served for over 33 years, retiring from a senior position in the Office of the Chief Counsel in 2014. Mr. Jennings was recruited to join CommonWealth One’s Board of Directors in 1999 and has served on the Board continuously since that time.

 

  • Daniel Murray, Vice Chairman
    Dan Murray has volunteered for CommonWealth One since 2011, serving first as a Supervisory Committee member and as a Board member since 2016. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from the George Mason University School of Law and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in both philosophy and history from Seattle University. He also served as a captain in the Army JAG Corps from 2002 to 2006.

 

  • John F. Knight, Treasurer
    John Knight has served on the CommonWealth One Board since 2000, currently serving in the role of Treasurer. His past roles include Vice-Chairman and various committee roles. Mr. Knight graduated with honors from James Madison University with a double major in Accounting and Management. He is a Certified Public Accountant and held the positions of Internal Audit Manager, Assistant Controller, Controller, and Assistant Vice President for Finance at JMU. Mr. Knight is presently retired and holds a faculty Emeritus Finance from JMU.

 

  • George McAndrews, Secretary
    George McAndrews has been a member of CommonWealth One since it merged with the Alexandria Employees Credit Union (AECU) in 2003. George joined AECU as a member in 1992, when the City of Alexandria hired him as an Assistant City Attorney. He worked in the City Attorney Office for 29 years, retiring in January 2022. While a member of AECU, he served on its Supervisory Committee for eight years. The Board appointed George to CommonWealth One's Supervisory Committee in 2013. He chaired the Committee from 2015 until January 2022. George joined the Board in May 2022.

 

  • Mark Angel, CPA
    Mark Angel is the Associate Vice President of Finance at James Madison University, and he's been an integral member of the University's finance team for the past 13 years. mark brings a wealth of accounting operations experience and has served in Controller, Director and accounting management roles. Mark holds bachelor's and master's degrees from Clarion University of Pennsylvania. He is a Certified Public Accountant in Virginia.

 

  • Mary L. Summers
    Mary Summers is a long-time member of CommonWealth One and joined the Board of Directors in 1992. She is a past Chairman and currently serves on the Human Resources and Technology Committees. Mrs. Summers retired from federal service in 2016 as a Deputy Associate CIO for Corporate IT Services. She currently provides leadership and advisory services for not-for-profit and inter-government organizations.

 

  • Mark Siciliano, MBA
    Mark Siciliano is the Global VP of Enablement & Productivity for a financial technology company called "Sprinklr". Mark has a strong background in customer experience and also has partnerships with technology- and innovation-leading organizations. Mark is a double graduate from James Madison University, most recently receiving his Masters of Business Administration.

 

  • Dr. Linda M. Thomas
    For the last 6 years, Dr. Thomas has been the Dean of the Graduate School and past professor and head of the School of Integrated Science at James Madison University. She is a graduate of the University of Florida and has her Law Degree from the University of Miami. She received her doctorate at Georgia Tech.
  • Frank Q. Tedeschi, Chairman
  • Jessie L. Horneber, Secretary
  • Marvin T. Isom
  • Ronald F. McCray
  • Ashley Comer
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What's Your Journey?

I was initially drawn to CommonWealth One by the convenience of JMU's on-campus branch and positive feedback. The credit union has significantly impacted my life, providing support during major events like buying a house and welcoming a child.

Nikita
Member Since 1994

CommonWealth One Federal Credit Union is a full-service financial institution with branches in Northern Virginia, Maryland and Washington D.C.