Our Story
Serving You Since 1949
Our Story
Helping People Achieve Financial Success Since 1949
Committed to Members, Community & Giving Back
Certified Federal Credit Union was founded to serve employees in the grocery industry and has grown into a full-service financial institution proudly serving individuals, families, and businesses throughout Southern and Northern California. Today, with more than $900 million in assets, we have the strength and financial stability to provide the products, technology, and personalized service our members deserve. While we have expanded our membership and services over the years, we have stayed true to our grocery roots and remain proud to serve the hardworking individuals and families who helped shape our foundation.
Although we’ve grown over the years, one thing has never changed: our commitment to putting members first. As a member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative, every decision we make is guided by what is best for
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the people we serve. Rather than generating profits for shareholders, we reinvest our earnings into competitive rates, lower fees, enhanced services, innovative technology, and products designed to help our members succeed.
Certified Federal is more than a place to bank. We are your partner in financial wellness and are committed to meeting you wherever you are on your financial journey. Whether you are opening your first account, building credit, purchasing a vehicle, buying a home, growing a business, planning for retirement, or preparing for the future, we are here to help. Through personalized guidance, innovative products, and financial education, we support our members at every stage of life.
What truly sets us apart is the relationships we build. We believe banking should be personal, approachable, and centered around your goals. Our members are more than account numbers. They are owners of the credit union and an important part of our community.
For more than 75 years, we have remained committed to the credit union philosophy of “People Helping People”. That philosophy continues to inspire everything we do as we help our members, our employees, and the communities we serve thrive together.
We are proud of where we have come from, excited about where we are going, and honored to be your trusted financial partner.
Certified FCU membership gives you:
- Lower loan rates, higher savings yields and fewer fees, because we return our profits to our members
- The convenience of 30,000+ CO-OP ATM locations across the U.S.
- More than 5,600 CO-OP Shared Branches around the world
- Eight convenient branch locations throughout Southern California
We are proud and honored to serve all of our members, which includes the associates and families of the following grocery retailers, and more:
Living the credit union motto:
People helping people.
From time to time, we are approached by smaller credit unions that need our assistance to ensure that their members are able to continue to enjoy their respective member benefits. In 2011, we merged in Mountain View Credit Union with assets of $2 million; in 2013, we merged in Angeles Can Credit Union with assets of $1 million; in 2018, we merged in Metropolitan Water District Credit Union with assets of $45 million; and, in 2019, we merged in Auto Club of Southern California with assets of $30 million.
A history of financial excellence.
Today, we have more than $785 million in assets, including reserves (equity) in excess of $150 million. Our credit union earns the highest rating of A from WEISS Ratings, placing our financial performance in the top 0.3% of all credit unions. In fact, we’re ranked 19th out of nearly 6,000 credit unions nationwide. In addition, we’ve earned the top rating of 5 Stars from Bauer Financial every year for more than 28 years. You can be sure that your money is safe and sound with Certified Federal.
A legacy of giving back.
We are extremely proud of our commitment to our members, local communities and charities. We make regular contributions to local charities and civic organizations, including Hope House, Little League, Girl Scouts and AYSO. We also proudly support Los Angeles Area Council of Scouting, the fastest growing and most ethnically diverse Council in the United States. We are equally committed to the local community of El Monte and hold weekly fundraisers in front of the El Monte branch from Memorial Day to Labor Day, with all proceeds supporting local charities.
Our guiding philosophy and principles.
Certified Federal’s greatest assets are our people, capital and reputation. If any of these is ever diminished, the last will be the most difficult to restore. Therefore, we are guided by a philosophy that, at its heart, is imbued with Integrity, Quality, Member Satisfaction, a Strong Team and Sound Financial Principles.
Integrity We will demonstrate our integrity by practicing the highest ethical standards and by honoring our commitments. We take personal responsibility for our actions and treat others fairly, and with trust and respect. The confidential information we receive as part of our normal member relationships is guarded at all costs.
Quality We take great pride in the professional quality of our work and have an unwavering determination to achieve excellence in everything we do. Faced with a choice, we would rather be the best than the biggest.
Member Satisfaction Satisfied members are essential to our success. Complete member satisfaction is achieved by understanding what the member wants and delivering it flawlessly. When we serve our members well, our own success follows.
A Strong Team Our strength and competitive advantage has always been our people. We value the skills, strengths and perspectives of our diverse team, and foster a workplace that is challenging, rewarding and safe. For us to be successful, our people must reflect the diversity of the communities and cultures in which we operate. We participate as an integral part of the larger team that includes our sponsor, the local community and the credit union movement at large.
Sound Financial Principles We are dedicated to complying fully with the letter – and spirit – of the laws, rules and ethical principles that govern us. Our goal must be to provide fundamental safety and soundness for our members. We ensure our success by satisfying our members and increasing member value through building our capital and attracting and retaining our best people.