Riverbank Federal Credit Union Joins Smart-E Loan Program
Administered by the Connecticut Green Bank, Smart-E supports homeowners making energy and resilience improvements with flexible, low interest financing
Hartford, CT (August 27, 2025) – The Connecticut Green Bank proudly welcomes Riverbank Federal Credit Union (RFCU) to the Smart-E loan program as a participating lender. Smart-E provides homeowners with lower interest rates and flexible term financing for projects related to energy efficiency, renewable energy, and resilience. The loan is offered through local lending partners, like RFCU, and a network of more than 400 contractors across the state.
“Through our partnership with the Green Bank, Riverbank FCU is proud to offer members a simple, affordable way to make their homes healthier and more energy efficient,” said Charla Stetson, President and CEO of Riverbank FCU. “This initiative aligns with our ongoing mission to expand products and services that meet the evolving needs of both current and future members—while remaining grounded in our core values: respect, integrity, value, empathy, and reliability. Smart-E Loans reflect these values in action, empowering members to invest in their homes and their futures. Together, we’re creating a lasting, positive impact on our members and the greater Hartford County community.”
Headquartered in Windsor Locks, RFCU was founded in 1940 as a community chartered federal credit union serving Hartford County. This means that anyone who lives, works, worships, or goes to school in the towns in Hartford County and their immediate family are eligible for credit union membership.
“We are incredibly excited to welcome Riverbank Federal Credit Union to our Smart-E lender community,” said Bert Hunter, Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of the Green Bank. “This new partnership strengthens our ability to support homeowners in Hartford County and the contractors serving those municipalities. RFCU is a great fit for the program and their principle of ‘people helping people’ aligns with our vision of a planet protected by the love of humanity.”
Originally launched in 2013, the Smart-E loan has helped more than 9,500 families make improvements to their homes by enabling nearly $150 million in lifetime cost savings to these residents. The majority of these projects are energy efficiency related, including updates to heat, ventilation, and cooling (HVAC) systems, windows, and insulation, with most of the remaining projects focusing on solar and battery storage. Smart-E financing can be used for more than 90 improvements, and recently expanded to add improvements to septic systems, wells, and basement waterproofing. The loan offers terms up to 15 years with interest rates based on the term, not on individual credit scores.
To learn more about Smart-E, please visit ctgreenbank.com/smarte
To learn more about Riverbank Federal Credit Union, please visit https://www.riverbankfcu.com/News/Now-Offering-Connecticut-Green-Bank-Smart-E-Loans