Frontwave Credit Union
| Company type | Nonprofit credit union |
|---|---|
| Industry | Financial services |
| Founded | 1952 |
| Headquarters | Oceanside, California , United States |
Area served | San Diego County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County |
| Products | Savings accounts, checking accounts, certificates of deposit, consumer loans, mortgages, home equity loans, lines of credit, credit cards, online banking, small business financial services, investment products, insurance services |
Frontwave Credit Union operates as a nonprofit credit union overseen by the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation.
Based in Southern California, Frontwave maintains 13 branch offices situated throughout San Diego, Oceanside, San Marcos, Escondido, Wildomar, Temecula, Barstow, and Yucca Valley. Its network also includes facilities located on military installations such as MCB Camp Pendleton, MCRD San Diego, and MCAGCC 29-Palms.
By 2023, Frontwave Credit Union administers assets exceeding $1.4 billion and supports a membership base of 122,000 individuals.
Membership
As a member-owned and member-controlled institution, Frontwave’s eligibility encompasses those residing or employed within San Diego County, Riverside County, or San Bernardino County. Immediate family members of existing members are also qualified for membership. The NCUA policy of "once a member, always a member" allows continued membership even if members move outside the designated areas.
Services
Frontwave Credit Union provides an extensive selection of financial solutions, including savings accounts, checking accounts, certificates of deposit, consumer loans, mortgages, home equity loans, lines of credit, credit cards, and online banking. Additional offerings include small business financial services, investment products, an electronic trading platform, and insurance services through Frontwave Financial Group.
As a cooperative financial institution, Frontwave grants its members access to nearly 30,000 surcharge-free ATMs nationwide, with over 9,000 enabling deposit transactions. Members also enjoy the benefits of close to 5,000 credit union branches and upwards of 2,000 self-service locations through the shared branching network.
History
- Established in 1952 at MCB Camp Pendleton as Camp Pendleton Federal Credit Union, originally serving active and retired civil service employees.
- Expanded its membership in 1955 to include active and retired military personnel.
- Integrated with Naval Ammunition Depot Federal Credit Union in 1965 and later merged with 29 Palms Credit Union in 1968.
- Adopted the name Marine Corps West Federal Credit Union in 1975 and constructed its headquarters at MCB Camp Pendleton.
- Subsequent mergers occurred with Marine Corps Recruit Depot in 1980 and Barstow Community Federal Credit Union in 1982; the charter was extended to include the U.S. National Training Center at Fort Irwin.
- Took over management of the Recruit Direct Deposit Program in 1995 and received the "Golden Hammer Award" in 1997 for efforts that minimized government waste.
- Converted from a federal to a state charter in 2002, broadening membership to San Diego and San Bernardino counties while rebranding as Pacific Marine Credit Union (PMCU).
- Added Riverside County to its membership eligibility in 2004.
- Moved its headquarters to Oceanside, California, in 2010.
- Adopted the current name Frontwave Credit Union in 2018.