AJ stands for Andrew Jackson, our 7th president. His reputation for toughness earned him the nickname "Old Hickory." A hero of the War of 1812, Jackson has appeared on the $20 bill since 1928.

186 million people all over the world belong to credit unions today.

Can you name someone who's left a legacy—that is, they've made a big difference in your life and in the lives of many people?

Here's one you already know: Amelia Earhart. The first woman to fly an airplane across the Atlantic, in 1937 Earhart disappeared as she was circling the earth around the equator in her plane.

Earhart's legacy is a freethinking spirit and vision of success against all odds.

Edward A. Filene had spirit and vision too. His legacy to us is all of the credit unions in the United States.

One of every four Americans belongs to a credit union.

Filene's Vision

Filene's Department Stores have disappeared, but Filene's Basement lives on under new ownership.

Filene was a wealthy retailer who lived from 1860 to 1937. He died the same year as Amelia Earhart.

Filene's Basement Lives On

Edward Filene thought of the idea, then supervised construction on Filene's Basement in 1908. It was a bargain basement in his family department store, Filene's.

Today Filene's Basement is no longer part of Filene's Department Store. In fact, since the fall of 2006, Filene's Department Store no longer exists.

But Filene's Basement lives on under new ownership! In 2009 Filene's Basement filed for bankruptcy, and is now being run by another company.

The stores offer low-priced men's and women's clothing, home goods, and accessories.

Every year Filene's Basement hosts its Bridal Event. Hundreds of people come from all over to get a bargain on designer wedding dresses. The Boston newspapers hold contests for best crowd photo.

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Filene earned his wealth from his father's Boston-based department store, Filene's. Do you recognize that name?

He was a creative man who always looked for new solutions to problems. When he took control of his father's department store, he introduced many new ideas:

• The bargain basement, or area in a store where items are sold at lower prices than usual
• A new way of selling—offering "your money back if not satisfied"

During his lifetime (1860-1937), ideas like these were revolutionary.

For examaple, in his department store, Filene pioneered workplace practices that we take for granted today, such as:

• The 40-hour work week
• Minimum wage for women as well as for men
• Profit sharing plans
• Medical insurance for workers

Filene traveled the world...

Prince George's Community Federal CU What makes credit unions so great? Members like you. Every dollar you invest in your credit union earns you money while other members borrow it. When you're ready for a loan, other members' savings will be there to help you out at the lowest possible cost.