Phase 1: Establishing a Field of Membership

Phase 1’s main purpose is to establish a permissible field of membership. It is the first step in the charter application process, not the full charter application. The field of membership is who the proposed credit union desires to serve.

During this phase, NCUA will assign your proposed federal credit union to a Consumer Access Coordinator to work with you throughout the chartering process.

Additional activities in this phase include:

• Describing the plan for obtaining donated capital and the estimated amount of capital

• Gaining an understanding of NCUA regulations that govern credit unions

• Selecting a credit union name

For questions on the chartering process, please see Frequently Asked Questions for more information.

Note: NCUA strives to respond within 60 calendar days of the Phase 1 form submission date. NCUA will notify you in writing if the Phase 1 form is approved, and you can proceed to Phase 2.

Last updated on March 30, 2026