In 1933, our founders created a financial cooperative in Sacramento. Their vision was for hard-working Californians to pool their financial resources to help one another prosper. Today, as one of the nation’s largest credit unions with nearly $19 billion in assets, we continue affirming our mission to deliver financial solutions with value, convenience, and exceptional service to our members.

As a not-for-profit cooperative, we return the credit union’s earnings to our members through higher returns on savings, lower interest rates on loans, and a broad array of free services. We offer our members free mobile and online banking services, 70 conveniently located branches and home loan centers throughout California, and access to 30,000 fee free ATMs nationwide.

We have a long rich history of growth, prudent financial management, and stability. Over the past 90 years our members have relied on us as a trusted partner to keep their money safe and secure, provide value-oriented financial solutions, and be their trusted partner through every step of their financial journey. Our prudent financial management and well-capitalized position ensure that we will be here for our more than 1 million members, our community, and employees for years to come! 

In a recent survey by American Banker, Golden 1 was ranked among the top financial services brands nationwide for Best Customer Experience. Survey categories included trustworthiness, service, and community involvement.

If you want to be a part of something bigger than yourself and get more from your financial institution, join us. Membership is open to all Californians!

Belong Here.

2022: Recognized by American Banker as a “Best Customer Experience” financial institution. Named a Forbes Best-In-State Employer for fourth consecutive year. Loans granted reach record of $7.3 billion. Opens new Home Loan Center totaling eight statewide. 

2021: Ranked Top 3 “Most Admired” Financial Institution by American Banker. Reaches records with $6 billion in loans granted to members and $18.3 billion in assets. A new Home Loans Center in Carlsbad opens.

2020: Golden 1 provides Emergency Relief to members and California communities due to pandemic. Launches Business Services. Named "Best-in-State" Employer by Forbes for second consecutive year. Reaches $16.3 billion in assets.

2019: Golden 1 is named a Best-in-State Employer by Forbes. A special $20 million Member Giveback is distributed. Two Home Loan Centers opened in Southern California.

2018: Golden 1 is the first state-chartered credit union to be granted statewide field of membership in California. Anybody who lives and/or regularly works in California is now eligible for membership. Membership reaches one million strong.

2016: Assets reach more than $10 billion. Membership grows to over 800,000 strong. Golden 1 Center debuts as the most technologically advanced arena in the world.

2015: Golden 1 expands charter in Southern California to now serve 38 counties. Obtains naming rights to Golden 1 Center. Upgrades every Golden 1 debit and credit card with chip technology.

2014: Golden 1 launches its "Stronger Together" brand campaign. A special, one-time $18 million Member Giveback program is distributed. Membership grows to more than 700,000.

2013: 80th anniversary. Assets reach more than $8 billion. The Credit Union awards $368,000 in grants to support literacy and foster youth. Golden 1 recognized as “Best Bank or Credit Union” in several communities.

2012: Golden 1 launches a new college scholarship program for members and their dependents.

2011: Mobile Deposit is launched and “No-Envelope” ATMs are introduced. Golden 1 wins several awards for community outreach.

2010: Launch of Golden 1 Mobile Banking to complement online service offerings.

2009: Assets reach more than $7.6 billion. New products debut—Mobile and Text Banking. The Credit Union now has 83 branches and is able to serve all who live or work in 34 of California’s 58 counties.

2007: A total of 74 branches are open statewide. Elected into the Sacramento Metro Chamber of Commerce Business Hall of Fame.

2004: Membership grows to more than 600,000. Assets reach $5.4 billion.

2000: Membership grows to more than 400,000. Assets reach $3.1 billion.

1998: Assets reach more than $2.33 billion. Website is launched. The Credit Union now has 50 full-service branches, five non-teller branches, and 210 ATMs.

1994: Assets grow to almost $1.56 billion. Membership is more than 274,000, and the Credit Union now has 44 branches statewide.

1992: Assets reach more than $1 billion. Membership stands at 215,000.

1990: Total of 21 branches are open statewide. Assets reach $820 million.

1988: Assets reach $600 million. Credit Union now has 14 branches statewide.

1982: Membership grows to more than 100,000. Assets reach $225 million. First seven automated teller machines (ATMs) go into service.

1977: Assets reach $100 million. Name of the Credit Union is changed to Golden 1 Credit Union.

1961: CSECU #1 staff move into first permanent office and administrative headquarters in the State Employees building at 1108 O Street.

1956: Membership reaches 13,000. Construction begins on the State Employees building at 1108 O Street in Sacramento.

1952: Assets reach $1 million.

1950: Membership grows to 4,565.

1934: Membership reaches 131.

1933: Eleven state employees meet in Sacramento as the Board of Directors of the newly formed California State Employees' Credit Union #1 (CSECU #1).

At Golden 1, we're proud of our achievements and strive to improve every day. Because we care about our members and work hard to bring them value and unbeatable service.

Year after year, we continue to be rated the best credit union in local publications. We’ve also received first place honors from the Sacramento Workplace Excellence Leader (SWEL) Awards, plus acknowledgment from charities and nonprofits, including the United Way, Children's Miracle Network, and Volunteer Center of Sacramento – just to name a few.

2023

• Best Credit Unions to Work For, American Banker
• Best Bank or Credit Union in Elk Grove, Elk Grove's Best of Business
• Desjardins Youth Financial Education, California Credit Union League/Credit Union National Association
• C-Suite Awards, Sacramento Business Journal: Heather Andrade-Neumann, Executive Vice President, Chief People Officer
• Great Place to Work^® Certification^™
• The Best Banks and Credit Unions in California, Business Insider (Personal Finance Insider)
• Diamond Award: One-Time Event, Credit Union National Association
• Diamond Award: Complete Campaign, Credit Union National Association
• Diamond Award: Video Commercial - Single or Series, Credit Union National Association
• Best Credit Union in Yolo County, Davis Enterprise

2022

• Most Powerful Women in Credit Unions 2022, American Banker: Donna Bland, President and CEO
• Best Banks and Credit Unions for Seniors of 2022-2023, Money
• Corporate Community Champion August 2022, United Way
• Best Credit Union, Style Magazine Reader's Choice (Folsom/El Dorado Hills)
• Best Credit Union, Style Magazine Reader's Choice (Roseville/Granite Bay/Rocklin)
• America's Best-In-State Employers, Forbes
• Best Credit Unions to Work For, American Banker
• Best Customer Experience Institutions, American Banker 
• Best Credit Union in Folsom, Folsom Telegraph
• Best Credit Union in El Dorado Hills, Folsom Telegraph
• Best Credit Union in Auburn, Auburn Journal
• Corporate Citizenship, Sacramento Business Journal
• Best Credit Union in California for 2022, Business Insider (Personal Finance Insider) 
• Best Credit Union for Teens and College Students, NerdWallet
• Best Credit Union Mortgage Lenders of 2022 for California Borrowers, NerdWallet
• Best Credit Unions of 2022, Joy Wallet
• Best Overall Credit Union in California for 2022, Dumb Little Man 
• Best Credit Union in Yolo County, Davis Enterprise
• C-Suite Awards, Sacramento Business Journal:
  Dustin Luton, Executive Vice President
• Best Credit Union for Students, Benzinga
• Top 100 Best Banks of 2022, GoBankingRates.com

2021

• Top 100 Women Leaders in Finance 2021, Women We Admire: Donna Bland, President and CEO
• Top 3 Most Admired Financial Institution Nationwide, American Banker
• Best-In-State Employer, Forbes
• Best Credit Union to Work for in 2021, Credit Union Journal
• Corporate Citizenship, Sacramento Business Journal
• Trailblazer Award, Leadership California:
  Donna Bland, President and CEO
• Best Credit Union, Style Magazine Reader's Choice (Folsom/El Dorado Hills)
• Best Credit Union, Style Magazine Reader's Choice (Roseville/Granite Bay/Rocklin)
• Best Credit Union in Folsom, Folsom Telegraph
• Best Credit Union in El Dorado Hills, Folsom Telegraph
• Best Credit Union in Rocklin, The Placer Herald
• Best Credit Union in Auburn, Auburn Journal
• Best Credit Union in Roseville, Roseville Press Tribune 
• Best Bank in Amador County, Amador Ledger Dispatch
• Best Credit Union Loans for New Borrowers, The Simple Dollar
• Best Credit Union to Join in California, BankBonus.com
• Diamond Award: Crisis Management, Credit Union National Association
• Best Credit Union in California, Business Insider (Personal Finance Insider)
• Best Credit Union for Teens and College Students, NerdWallet
• Best Banking Services for College Students, NerdWallet
• Best Credit Union Overall in California, Fortunly

2020

• Best-In-State Employer, Forbes
• Best West Coast Credit Union, The Balance
• Best Credit Union for Students, Benzinga
• Best Credit Union, San Joaquin Magazine
• Best Credit Union, Stockton Record
• Best Auto Loan Provider, Stockton Record
• Best Credit Union Loans for New Borrowers, The Simple Dollar
• Best Credit Unions in California, NerdWallet
• Best Credit Union, Style Magazine Reader's Choice (Folsom/El Dorado Hills)
• Best Credit Union, Style Magazine Reader's Choice (Roseville/Granite Bay/Rocklin)
• Best Credit Union, Folsom Telegraph
• Best Credit Union in El Dorado Hills, Folsom Telegraph
• Best Credit Union, Roseville Press Tribune
• Best Credit Union, The Placer Herald
• Best Credit Union, Auburn Journal
• Best Bank in Amador County, Amador Ledger Dispatch
• Most Admired CEO, Sacramento Business Journal:
  Donna Bland, President and CEO
• Corporate Citizenship, Sacramento Business Journal
• Desjardins Adult Financial Education, California Credit Union League
• Best Credit Union in California for 2020, Business Insider (Personal Finance Insider)
• Best Credit Union for Teens and College Students, NerdWallet
• Diamond Award: One-Time Event, Credit Union National Association

2019

• Best Credit Union, Amador Ledger Dispatch
• Best Credit Union in El Dorado Hills, Folsom Telegraph
• Best West Coast Credit Union, The Balance
• Best Bank or Credit Union, Lincoln News Messenger
• Best-In-State Employer, Forbes
• Diamond Award: Complete Campaign, Credit Union National Association
• Best Bank/Credit Union, Carmichael Chamber of Commerce
• Best Credit Union, Auburn Journal

2018

• Best Credit Union for Financial Education, Go Banking Rates
• Best Credit Union, Santa Barbara Magazine
• Best Credit Union, Roseville Tribune
• Best Mortgage Company, Best of Elk Grove
• Best Bank, Best of Elk Grove
• Diamond Award: Annual Reports, Credit Union National Association
• Diamond Award: Social Media, Credit Union National Association
• Diamond Award: Financial Education, Credit Union National Association
• Best Credit Union, Auburn Journal
• Best Bank/Credit Union, Carmichael Chamber of Commerce
• Best Credit Union in El Dorado Hills, Folsom Telegraph
• Centennial Disaster Partner Award, American Red Cross
• Best Credit Union of North County, Atascadero News
• Financial Capability Innovation Award, EverFi
• Best Credit Union for Teens and College Students, NerdWallet