Industry Press

SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union is expanding its statewide presence with seven new branches, bringing accessible, personalized financial services closer to the school employees and families it serves. The locations span the greater Los Angeles area, the Sacramento region, Ventura County and San Diego county, reflecting the geographic diversity of the school employee community SchoolsFirst FCU

SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union joined Classroom of the Future Foundation (CFF) to honor educators, students and community partners at the 23rd Annual Innovation in Education Awards, held May 14 in San Diego County. The ceremony recognized seven Special Award winners, five STEAM Grant awardees and 14 AVID STEM scholars, high-achieving graduates pursuing STEM degrees. A

SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, the largest credit union in California and the largest serving school employees and their families, sponsored a special night to honor school employees in recognition of School Employee Appreciation Month at the Angels game on May 1, 2026. School employees who attended the game received discounted tickets, an Angels promotional giveaway,

SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, the largest credit union in California and the largest serving school employees and their families, in partnership with ABC10 Sacramento and Sacramento State’s College of Education, announced that Barbara Brooks, a teacher at Shriners Children’s Hospital in partnership with the Sacramento City Unified School District, has been named the 2025-26 ABC10

SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union partnered with the North Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce for the Seventh Annual Heroes in Education Awards Dinner, recognizing outstanding contributions in education. The annual event, hosted by the Chamber of Commerce, honors individuals who support student success across local schools. Awards are presented in the following categories: Primary and Secondary

SchoolsFirst Federal Union partnered with the Santa Maria-Bonita School District for the 2nd Annual Excellence in Education Awards Gala, held March 27 at the Santa Maria Fairpark Convention Center. The evening celebrated the achievements of district employees and honored the talent, dedication and passion they bring to Santa Maria-Bonita schools. Awards were presented in three

For the second year in a row, SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union has earned the top ranking in the JD Power U.S. Credit Union Satisfaction StudySM, the most widely recognized benchmark for members’ experience in the financial services industry. SchoolsFirst FCU ranked #1 for overall satisfaction, a result driven entirely by its Members, California’s school employees

The Marketing & Business Development Council of America’s Credit Unions awarded SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union seven Diamond Awards, one of the credit union industry’s most competitive annual marketing recognition programs. The Diamond Awards honor outstanding creative campaigns judged on both creative excellence and measurable results across more than 30 categories. Entries are judged by panels

Kristin Crellin, senior vice president of community and Membership development at SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, has been named a 2026 Vision & Visionaries Cal State Fullerton (CSUF) Distinguished Alumni, the university’s highest honor recognizing alumni and community leaders for their professional achievement and service. Crellin was honored Feb. 28 at CSUF’s Vision & Visionaries ceremony.

Jose Lara, president of SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, received the Legacy Leader Award from the National Association of Latino Credit Union Professionals (NLCUP) during the annual NLCUP conference themed Sembrando Sueños – Sowing Dreams – held in Long Beach, Calif., Feb. 1 – 4. Lara’s leadership, advocacy and service have had a lasting impact on

The Education Foundation for California Schools, a nonprofit created by SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union and the Orange County Department of Education, awarded 95 grants to teachers in California to support programs that inspire students to learn and excel in core subjects, including language arts, science, mathematics, foreign language and social studies. The grants, awarded in

SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union has earned a spot on Newsweek’s America’s Best Regional Banks & Credit Unions 2026 list for the third consecutive year, ranking among the top 500 credit unions nationwide. The recognition highlights SchoolsFirst FCU’s financial strength, trusted member experience and ongoing investment in California’s school communities.

SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, the largest Credit Union in California, is helping make home ownership a reality for school employees. The down payment requirement has been lowered from 5% to 3% allowing qualifying school employees in California to become homeowners in one of the most expensive real estate markets in the U.S. Recent data shows

SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union announced that its Third-Party Administrator (TPA) affiliate, SchoolsFirst Plan Administration, LLC, successfully onboarded a number of new school districts in California in 2025, greatly expanding its presence into new regions. As a TPA, SchoolsFirst Plan Administration helps school districts with IRS plan compliance, education and customized personal financial advice.

I thought your readers might be interested in a great community story. SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union partnered with the Orange County Department of Education to celebrate the 2026 Orange County Teachers of the Year, honoring 62 exceptional educators and supporting finalists with special awards and recognition. I’ve included the full release and a photo below

SchoolsFirst FCU was recognized with three MAC Awards this year for standout digital, direct mail, and in-branch campaigns. Each delivered major results, including a 43 percent increase in certificate conversions and a 412 percent jump in reactivated Members.