California Adventist Federal Credit Union (CAFCU) was established in 1952 as the country's first Seventh-day Adventist credit union. Operating as a not-for-profit, member-owned institution regulated by the NCUA, CAFCU has built a 73-year track record serving Adventist church members, employees of Adventist organizations, and referred community members across California.
CAFCU offers a comprehensive range of financial products including personal checking and savings accounts, debit cards, online and mobile banking, business checking accounts, loans and lines of credit, credit cards with loyalty rewards, CDs, and retirement investment services. The credit union maintains two physical branch locations in Glendale and Simi Valley, both housed within Adventist Health facilities, with staffed hours Monday-Thursday 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM and Friday 8:00 AM to 12:30 PM.
The institution distinguishes itself through personalized service, emphasis on member relationships, rate claims to verify on auto loans and savings products, and a long institutional commitment to helping members improve creditworthiness over time. Member testimonials highlight accessibility for those with credit challenges, competitive auto loan rates, and knowledgeable staff. The credit union has undergone recent management transitions but maintains service consistency according to member feedback.
CAFCU's primary limitation is membership eligibility—it primarily serves Seventh-day Adventist church members and employees of Adventist organizations, with limited availability to non-Adventist referrals. As a smaller credit union with $47M in assets and only two physical branches, it may have more limited service capacity than larger financial institutions. Specific APR ranges, current rate offerings, and detailed fee schedules are not published on the website.