Northern Lights vs Heritage Family
Comparing a Credit Union in Saint Johnsbury, VT with a Credit Union in Rutland, VT using federal FDIC, NCUA, and CFPB data. Trust Grades reflect financial strength and complaint history.
| Northern Lights ↗ Credit Union · Saint Johnsbury, VT · Est. 1951 | Heritage Family ↗ Credit Union · Rutland, VT · Est. 1956 | |
|---|---|---|
| Trust Grade | A · 93/100 | A · 93/100 |
| Institution type | Credit Union | Credit Union |
| Location | Saint Johnsbury, VT | Rutland, VT |
| Total assets | $43.7M | $852.9M |
| Net worth ratio | 14.4% | 11.9% |
| Return on assets | 0.3% | 0.4% |
| Shares & deposits | — | — |
| Members | 4,166 | 54,726 |
| CFPB complaints | 0 | 0 |
| Complaints / $1B assets | — | — |
| State rank | #4 of 13 | #3 of 13 |
| Established | 1951 | 1956 |
Northern Lights
- Assets: $43.7M
- Members: 4,166
- Capital ratio: 14.4%
- Return on assets: 0.3%
- CFPB complaints: 0
- State rank: #4 of 13
Heritage Family
- Assets: $852.9M
- Members: 54,726
- Capital ratio: 11.9%
- Return on assets: 0.4%
- CFPB complaints: 0
- State rank: #3 of 13
Are both institutions federally insured?
Yes. Northern Lights is NCUA-insured and Heritage Family is NCUA-insured. Both protect deposits up to $250,000 per depositor, per ownership category, regardless of Trust Grade. The Trust Grade reflects financial strength and complaint history — not the safety of insured deposits. Estimate your coverage →
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Northern Lights or Heritage Family?
Based on Bankzia's Trust Grade — which blends financial strength (capital ratio, ROA) with CFPB complaint history — Northern Lights scores higher with a grade of A (93/100). However, "better" depends on your needs: if you prioritize branch access, local service, or membership eligibility for a credit union, the lower-scoring option may still be the right choice for you.
Is Northern Lights safe?
Yes — Northern Lights is NCUA-insured, meaning deposits up to $250,000 per depositor, per ownership category are federally protected regardless of the institution's Trust Grade. Its Trust Grade is A (93/100), reflecting its financial strength and complaint history relative to peers.
Is Heritage Family safe?
Yes — Heritage Family is NCUA-insured, meaning deposits up to $250,000 per depositor, per ownership category are federally protected. Its Trust Grade is A (93/100).
What is the capital ratio of Northern Lights vs Heritage Family?
Northern Lights has a net worth ratio of 14.4%, placing it in the top 49% of <$100M peers. Heritage Family's ratio is 11.9%, placing it in the top 41% of $100M–1B peers. A higher capital ratio generally signals a stronger financial cushion.
How many complaints does Northern Lights have compared to Heritage Family?
The CFPB database shows 0 complaints against Northern Lights, and 0 complaints against Heritage Family. The per-$1B rate adjusts for institution size and is a more meaningful comparison metric.
How does Bankzia calculate the Trust Grade?
The Trust Grade combines a financial strength score (based on capital ratio, return on assets, and other FDIC/NCUA metrics) with a customer experience score derived from CFPB complaint data. The scores are weighted and normalized within peer groups by institution size and type. See our full methodology for details.
Compare Northern Lights with other Credit Unions in Vermont
Financial data from NCUA call reports; complaint data from the CFPB Consumer Complaint Database. Bankzia is independent and not affiliated with any government agency or financial institution.
