The Occupy movement is apparently broadening its interest incredit unions with a rally planned Saturday in Irvine,Calif. amidst talk of founding a national federation ofcredit unions under the “People Before Profits” banner.

OccupyFirst, identified as a nonprofit firm “born out of thealternative banking workgroups in the Occupy movement” issponsoring the rally in the City of Irvine council chambers,according to a city spokesman. Irvine is a Los Angeles suburb.

On a Facebook page, OccupyFirst said its goal is to recruitcitizens “interested in taking control of money from the banks tojoin us in person and online.” The mission would be tosupport the federation of CUs to be formed.

OccupyFirst said the Saturday session would be the“inaugural general assembly of OccupyFirst.” The non-profitfirm said it is “dedicated to peacefully combating economicinjustice by providing competitive alternatives which benefit themany instead of the rich.”

The session is to be broadcast live on the internet, saidOccupyFirst.

The city spokesman said the city is not a sponsor of the rallynor has it any relation to the group “except we asked that theyreserve the chambers in advance and that it be a legitimategroup.”

It was unclear what link OccupyFirst has to plans in SanFrancisco announced last November by Occupy protestors there forchartering of the People's Reserve Credit Union.

The initial goal, organizers said, was to start with 500 membersand raise $7 million with seed money.

Officials of the Department of Financial Institutions inSacramento said no application has been received as yet and thatthere have been no recent discussions with Occupyrepresentatives.