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Celebrating our 75th Anniversary
Founded in 1951 inside Royce Hall on the campus of UCLA, University Credit Union began with a simple yet powerful belief: financial services should be built around people, not profit.
What started as a small cooperative formed by university employees has grown into a nationwide financial partner serving higher education communities across the country.
75 Years of Impact
For three-quarters of a century, University Credit Union has stood beside our members through life’s most important milestones helping them save, borrow, plan, and thrive.
This anniversary is more than a celebration of longevity. It’s a celebration of trust built across generations. Together, we've supported:
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First checking accounts and first paychecks
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Graduate degrees and professional careers
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Homeownership journeys
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Family milestones
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Retirement planning and legacy building
Our Story
Inside Royce Hall, one of UCLA’s most iconic landmarks, a small group of founders came together to create something different a financial institution rooted in service, trust, and shared success.
Their vision was simple:
Create access.
Remove financial barriers.
Support the education community.
Honoring our past and delivering for the future.
As we celebrate our 75th anniversary, we honor the members, campuses, and partnerships that shaped our journey and we look ahead with the same commitment that started it all: delivering financial advantage in support of every member’s financial well-being, meeting them virtually or face-to-face wherever life takes them.
Partnership & Growth Timeline
From our UCLA roots to a nationwide university network, our growth has always been driven by partnership.
As we celebrate 75 years, we’re not just reflecting on our history we’re investing in the future. Through expanded university partnerships, digital innovation, and an unwavering focus on financial wellness, University Credit Union will continue delivering financial advantage in support of every member’s financial well-being for generations to come. Because while much has changed since 1951, one thing never will: our commitment to people helping people.
1951
Founded at UCLA
University Credit Union is established inside Royce Hall to serve the UCLA community.
1993
First Major Membership Expansion
Membership grows to include Pepperdine University and Loyola Marymount University, marking UCU’s expansion into additional Southern California private university communities.
2019
A Transformational Partnership Year
Membership expands to the UCLA Black Alumni Association, West Coast Conference (WCC) Schools, Saint Mary’s College, and Santa Clara University. UCU also becomes the title sponsor of the WCC.
2021
Public University System Expansion
Membership expands to Big West Conference Schools, University of California, Irvine, and University of California, Davis, broadening UCU’s reach across California’s public universities.
2022
Innovation & Research Community Growth
University of California San Diego joins the membership family, deepening UCU’s presence within one of the nation’s leading research institutions.
2023
Texas Market Expansion
University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) partnership launches, marking UCU’s entry into a major new geographic region and student population.
2024
Southeast Expansion
Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) joins the membership family, extending UCU’s reach into one of the country’s premier technology and research universities.
2025
Strategic Merger
Merger of Abilene Christian University (ACU) Credit Union strengthens UCU’s Texas presence and reinforces its commitment to faith-based university communities.
From One Hall to Hundreds of Communities
From a single office in Royce Hall to partnerships spanning coast to coast, University Credit Union’s journey has been defined by purposeful growth. Every expansion, every collaboration, and every new campus relationship has been guided by one principle: Serve members where they are and where they’re going.
Celebrate our 75th anniversary with us.
Enter our 75th Anniversary $750 Giveaway
You helped us reach 75 years. Now we're giving $750 back to you. Register for the chance to win!*
4.00% APY¹ 5-month Diamond Anniversary Certificate
Built for the members who built us. A special certificate to say "thank you" for 75 years.
Book an appointment
UCU is built on service to our member-owners. Advance your financial well-being by booking an indiviualized 1-on-1 session with our team of certified advisors.
*Terms and conditions apply. No purchase necessary. Giveaway ends on December 31, 2026 at 11:59 pm PST. Subject to change. Winner for each $750 prize will be contacted via the information provided in association with the participant’s member account. Participant must be at least 18 years of age to be eligible to win. For complete giveaway rules, visit here.
1APY = Annual Percentage Yield. Special promo rate is 4.00% APY based on dividend rate of 3.928%. Promotional rate in effect as of March 2, 2026 through May 30, 2026. Special Promotional certificate will renew as a 6-month certificate at the available rate for the product at that time. Minimum opening deposit is $500. Minimum balance to obtain APY is $500. Maximum deposit is $7,500.
Promotional rates are subject to change or end without notice. Penalty may be imposed for early withdrawal. Fees may reduce earnings. For other details regarding this account, you can reference your disclosures which covers all other terms and conditions. Ask us for further information about the terms and fees that apply to these accounts.
To be eligible, must be a new or existing University Credit Union member who is in good standing and who maintains either an active loan or an active checking account. An active loan includes any current term loan with an outstanding balance, any credit card with an outstanding balance or with at least one posted transaction within the preceding thirty days, and any home equity line of credit (HELOC) with an outstanding balance or with at least one posted transaction within the preceding thirty days. An active checking account is defined as a checking account with at least one posted transaction within the preceding thirty days. Only one Diamond Anniversary Certificate may be opened per primary membership, and the product is not available to joint members unless they qualify under their own primary membership. Eligibility is limited to primary members whose account classifications are 0000 General Membership, 0002 Employee, 0003 Board of Directors, or 0006 Revocable Trust. All other account types are not eligible to open a Diamond Anniversary Certificate. Traditional or Roth IRA certificates will not be eligible to be opened under this promotion.