Tag: Banking

A credit union is a unique type of organization. Unlike banks or other types of businesses who can serve anybody, credit unions like CSFECU are granted a charter to serve a specific field of membership—groups of people with a common bond. That bond can be anything from a specific employer(s), to a specific industry, to …

A special message from our CEO

A credit union is a unique type of organization. Unlike banks or other types of businesses who can serve anybody, credit unions like CSFECU are granted a charter to serve a specific field of membership—groups of people with a common bond. That bond can be anything from a specific employer(s), to a specific industry, to membership in certain organizations, affiliation with a school, or residence in a certain community.

New Field of Membership

As you have heard, we were recently granted a community charter by the California Department of Business Oversight. This change allows membership to anyone who lives, works, or worships in Humboldt, Trinity, or Del Norte counties. In the past, it may have been a little confusing whether you could join CSFECU or not.

Now, it’s crystal clear. This truly is sensational news and we are delighted to offer our services to EVERYONE in these communities.

New Name

The next step is a name change to better reflect who we are. We appreciate the suggestions you, our members, submitted in response to our mailing. We hope to announce the new name in early 2018!

New Arcata Location

We are also expanding locations to become more convenient to more of our members. A new branch will open in Arcata at 1033 G Street, across from the Arcata Theatre Lounge. Work will begin soon to renovate the building with a goal to open mid-late 2018. We will keep you posted on the progress.

These are exciting changes, ones we have worked hard to accomplish over the last couple years, and changes that I’m thankful to announce for the betterment of our loyal members. For over 66 years, we have been meeting the financial needs of our members. I personally consider it a privilege serving you.

Ray Litchfield Signature

Ray F. Litchfield, Chief Executive Officer

Refer Us Today

With our new community charter, you can now spread the CSFECU love to all your friends, family, co‑workers and neighbors who live, work or worship in Humboldt, Del Norte or Trinity counties! Visit our Join Us page for complete information and to sign up with just a $5 deposit. It’ll make your brain happy. Both sides of it.

CSFECU: A 5-Star Superior Credit Union

October 2017: California State & Federal Employees’ Credit Union #20, Eureka, California has earned a coveted 5-Star rating from BauerFinancial, the Nation’s Premier Bank and Credit Union Rating Firm. (A five-star rating indicates this credit union excels in areas of capital adequacy, profitability, asset quality and much more.)  California State & Federal Employees’ Credit Union #20 has earned and maintained this top 5-Star rating for 30 consecutive quarters, and that deserves recognition.

“By earning Bauer’s highest 5-Star rating, California State & Federal Employees’ Credit Union #20 proves to its members and the field of prospective members that it is not only committed to their needs but also to financial discipline,” notes Karen L. Dorway, president of BauerFinancial. “As times change, so do members’ needs. Institutions like California State & Federal Employees’ Credit Union #20 excel at finding ways to meet these ever-changing needs while maintaining financial discipline and prudent underwriting.”

California State & Federal Employees’ Credit Union #20 was established in 1951, and has been providing personal service to its membership for the 66 years since. Today it operates through a conveniently located office on Wabash Avenue in Eureka and can also be found on the internet at www.csfecu20.com.

California State & Federal Employees’ Credit Union #20: “Your 5-Star Credit Union”

Member of the NCUA and an Equal Housing Lender.

BauerFinancial, Inc., Coral Gables, Florida, the nation’s leading independent bank and credit union rating and research firm, has been reporting on and analyzing the performance of U.S. banks and credit unions since 1983. No institution can pay for or opt out of a BauerFinancial rating. Star-ratings are all available for free at bauerfinancial.com.

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BauerFinancial, Inc. P.O. Box 143520, Coral Gables, FL 33114.

Maximize your tax refund

April is the month when Americans get one of two bits of news. We write a check to pay our taxes, or we get a check written to us in the form of a tax refund. If you’re one of the nearly 80% of Americans who receive a refund on your federal income taxes, congratulations! Now, what to do with the unexpected windfall?

Start or increase your emergency fund

It’s not sexy, it’s not glamorous, but an emergency fund is essential. The days of working 40 years for the same company are behind us, so an emergency fund is a vital tool to manage a job loss or to cover an unexpected medical or home expense.

Pay off high-interest debt

Maybe you didn’t have an emergency fund when you needed it…and you had to finance day-to-day living on high-interest loans or credit cards. Use your tax refund to pay down or pay off that debt. Dollars used today to pay down high-interest debt can save you thousands of dollars in the future.

Start or increase your retirement fund

Every day, you are inching closer to retirement. So, what’s your plan? If the answer is “Social Security,” or, “Not sure,” well, put your refund to work on a retirement fund. At CSFECU, Roth or Traditional IRA Certificates can be opened with as little as $100.

Save for something

Seeing a pattern here? Deferred gratification. Put some of your tax refund away for that new car, new computer, self-improvement classes…

Do something for yourself

We aren’t heartless! Yes, if all the basics are covered, take some of your refund and do something for yourself, for today.

Happy tax day!

27 Straight 5-Star Ratings for CSFECU

Recognized as One of the Strongest CUs in the Nation

January 2017: BauerFinancial, the Nation’s Premier Bank and Credit Union Rating Firm congratulates California State & Fed Emp #20 Credit Union, Eureka, California for ringing-in 2017 with its highest 5-Star Superior rating. California State & Federal Employees #20 Credit Union (CSFECU) is no newcomer to Bauer’s 5-Star Rating. In fact, CSFECU has earned this top honor for 27 consecutive quarters.

BauerFinancial has been analyzing and reporting on the nation’s banks and credit unions since 1983… providing ratings you can trust. Earning a 5-Star rating from Bauer indicates that CSFECU is one of the strongest credit unions in the nation. Some of the areas in which it excels are:

  • Capital – much more than is required by regulators;
  • Loan Quality – delinquent loan levels are manageable;
  • Profitability – while not-for-profit, credit unions must consistently remain in the black to ensure continued success.

Karen L. Dorway, president of BauerFinancial, commends California State & Fed Emp #20 Credit Union for maintaining a strong capital position while fulfilling its commitment to solving the financial needs of its members. “California State & Fed Emp #20 Credit Union isn’t pushing products or services on you that you don’t need or want”, says Dorway.  “It is there to provide a service and fill a need, which it has been able to do seamlessly while maintaining its pristine health.”

CSFECU was established in 1951 and has been providing quality services to its members ever since. Today, after 66 years, it operates through a conveniently located office on Wabash Avenue in Eureka and can be found on the web at csfecu20.com.

California State & Fed Emp #20 Credit Union: “Your 5-Star Credit Union”

Member of the NCUA and an Equal Housing Lender.

BauerFinancial, Inc., Coral Gables, Florida, the nation’s leading independent bank and credit union rating and research firm, has been reporting on and analyzing the performance of U.S. banks and credit unions since 1983. No institution can pay for or opt out of a BauerFinancial rating. Star-ratings are all available for free at bauerfinancial.com.

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BauerFinancial, Inc. P.O. Box 143520, Coral Gables, FL 33114.

CSFECU in Top 2% Healthiest Credit Unions Nationwide

CSFECU Top 200 NationwideCalifornia State & Federal Employees Credit Union has been recognized as one of the 200 Healthiest Credit Unions in the nation. As determined by DepositAccounts.com, California State & Federal Employees Credit Union ranks #117 out of 6,003 credit unions nationwide.

Each year DepositAccounts.com, the largest online publication in the U.S. dedicated to banking information for consumers, evaluates the financial health of every federally insured credit union in the U.S. Each institution is graded on a number of factors, including capitalization, deposit growth, and loan to reserve ratios, in order to determine a comprehensive health score.

From the list of 6,003 credit unions, DepositAccounts.com recognizes those who have shown exceptional fiduciary responsibility in its 2016 edition of the Top 200 Healthiest Credit Unions in America.

Let’s take a look at the California State & Federal Employees Credit Union score components:

TEXAS RATIO: A+

The Texas Ratio is an indicator of how much capital a credit union or bank has available compared to the total value of loans considered at risk. As of March 31, 2016 California State & Federal Employees Credit Union had $111,000 in non-current (Delinquent) loans and owned real-estate with $18.5 million in equity and loan loss allowances on hand to cover it. This gives California State & Federal Employees Credit Union a Texas Ratio of 0.60%, which is Excellent! Any bank or credit union with a Texas Ratio near or greater than 100% is considered at risk.

TEXAS RATIO TREND: C+

The Texas Ratio for California State & Federal Employees Credit Union experienced no significant changes from 0.30% as of March 31, 2015 to 0.60% as of March 31, 2016, resulting in a negative change of 102.30%. This indicates that the balance sheet and financial strength for California State & Federal Employees Credit Union has had no significant changes in recent periods.

DEPOSIT GROWTH: B+

In the past year, California State & Federal Employees Credit Union has increased its total deposits by $2.52 million, resulting in 2.34% growth for the year. A strong track record of growth is an indicator of consumer confidence and the credit union or bank’s ability to strengthen its balance sheet. The growth of California State & Federal Employees Credit Union has shown is above average.

CAPITALIZATION: A+

Both FDIC and NCUA consider capitalization levels of credit unions and banks to be of high importance. Higher capitalization allows for a greater buffer to cover loans that may fail in the future. California State & Federal Employees Credit Union has $128.31 million in assets with $18.5 million in equity, resulting in a capitalization level of 14.42%, which is Excellent!

In short, a credit union is a cooperative financial institution where people work together to make everyone’s lives better. Everyone who has an account here is a member. And every member is an owner.

Rather than making profits to send to far-off shareholders, Compass CCU reinvests in our credit union. Which means we reinvest in YOU. That’s why we say that, at Compass Community Credit Union, we guide you to better banking.