Boston Firefighters Credit Union can open membership to police officers

 

By Deirdre Fernandes Globe Staff  February 12, 2015

The Boston Firefighters Credit Union will be able to open its membership to the city’s police officers and other law enforcement officials, a Suffolk County Superior Court judge ruled Thursday.

Judge Mitchell Kaplan rebuffed an attempt by the City of Boston Credit Union to stop the firefighters credit union from expanding its membership and taking away some of its most lucrative customers: police officers, who are among the highest-paid city employees.

The turf battle between the two financial institutions grew unusually emotional as they accused each other of distorting facts and invoking the events surrounding the Boston Marathon bombing to promote their cause.

David Cotney, the state’s commissioner of banks, had approved the firefighters’ expansion plans in November. But the city’s credit union filed a court injunction to stop it.

In his decision dismissing the case, Judge Kaplan said the commissioner’s decision could not be contested in court. Cotney determined that it will be up to the consumers to decide where to bank, the judge ruled.

Boston Firefighters Credit Union can open membership to police officers - Business - The Boston Globe