California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues
| Company type | Trade association |
|---|---|
| Industry | Financial services |
| Founded | 1996 |
| Headquarters | Ontario , United States |
Area served | California, Nevada |
Key people | Scott Simpson (President and CEO, 2024–present) |
The California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues serve as the primary trade association for more than 220 credit unions operating throughout California and Nevada. Together, these institutions provide services to over 12 million members and manage assets surpassing $281 billion as of September 2023.
Established in 1996 via a management agreement, the Leagues represent the largest state-level credit union trade organization in the United States. Their structure includes 20 regional networks—18 located in California and 2 in Nevada—each overseen by a volunteer chairman and a board of directors elected by the member credit unions within that region.
Functioning within the three-tier framework of credit unions, the Leagues maintain a strategic alliance with the Credit Union National Association (CUNA).
Overview of the California Credit Union League's Origins
Founded in 1933, less than ten years after California's inaugural credit union was created, the California Credit Union League began with approximately 25 credit unions based in Fresno. By 1940, this number had grown to 246 member credit unions. In 1941, the League adopted The San Francisco Credit Union Digest (later renamed Credit Union Digest) as its official periodical.
Originally, the League’s headquarters were situated on the second floor of the Oakland Post Office alongside East Bay Postal Credit Union. Since then, its offices have relocated from the Bay Area to Pomona, Rancho Cucamonga, and presently Ontario, California. Additional branches operate out of Sacramento and Washington, D.C. Notably, East Bay Postal Credit Union, established in 1927, merged into Pacific Postal Credit Union in 2012, exemplifying ongoing consolidation trends within the sector.
The League has been instrumental in founding several major credit union service organizations: Western Bridge Corporate Federal Credit Union was launched in 1977 (initially known as California Central FCU and later Western Corporate FCU before merging into Catalyst Corporate FCU in 2012); Co-op Services began in 1981 (originally CU-ATM Cooperatives, Inc., later CO-OP Financial Services); Origence® (formerly CU Direct Corporation) was established in 1994 alongside The Golden 1 Credit Union; and CU West Mortgage, Inc. was created in 2003 with SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union.
In 1992, the League introduced the Shapiro Group—a resource-sharing consortium aimed at enhancing operational efficiency for smaller credit unions. This pioneering group was named after Leo H. Shapiro, a prominent leader within California’s credit union movement.
Leaders of the California Credit Union League have included:
- 1933–1939 - John L. Moore
- 1939–1941 - Ralph Hagin
- 1941–1942 - Charles A. Drenk
- 1942–1964 - Clarence Murphy
- 1964–1974 - Wil Wyatt
- 1974–1989 - W. “Bill” F. Broxterman
- 1989 - Richard “Dick” M. Johnson (Interim)
- 1989–1990 - Christopher L. Stewart
- 1990 - Richard “Dick” M. Johnson (Interim)
- 1991–2006 - David L. Chatfield
- 2006–2010 - Bill Cheney
- 2010 - David L. Chatfield (Interim)
- 2010–2024 - Diana R. Dykstra
- 2024-present - Scott Simpson
Overview of the Nevada Credit Union League's Formation
Founded in 1969, the Nevada Credit Union League appointed Darrel R. Daines as its inaugural president and Glen A. Reese as managing director. That same year, it established offices on Maryland Parkway. The League convened its first annual meeting in 1970 and introduced its signature publication titled Nevada Nuggets. In celebration of the enactment of Nevada's credit union legislation in 1975, the state saw its first state-chartered credit union emerge: Nevada Central CU.
Between 1976 and 1990, the League achieved full financial independence, relocated its headquarters to CU Plaza, facilitated the creation of a dedicated credit union division within Nevada’s Department of Commerce, expanded its membership base, and founded the Nevada CU Political Action Committee.
Collaboration Between the Leagues
In September 1995, the California Credit Union League entered into a management services agreement with the Nevada Credit Union League. This arrangement enabled both organizations to maintain their independence while California extended various services to credit unions in Nevada. The agreement received unanimous approval from Nevada’s 15 credit union members and was implemented starting January 1, 1996. At that time, David L. Chatfield, serving as California League President and CEO, took on leadership responsibilities for both leagues, with Glen Reese remaining involved as a consultant.
Provided Services
Member credit unions benefit from a wide array of services delivered by the Leagues, emphasizing innovation and cooperative efforts:
Advocacy
This includes activities related to Federal and State Government Affairs, Regulatory Advocacy, as well as management of a Political Action Committee (PAC).
Member Solutions
Services encompass Communications and Marketing, Education and Professional Development, Compliance assistance, and Credit Union Solutions.