California Credit Union is a federally-chartered credit union serving 165,000+ members across six Southern California counties with $3 billion in assets as of 2017.
Data compiled from public sources · Rating from CreditDoc methodology
California Credit Union (CCU), formerly known as Los Angeles Teachers Credit Union, was founded in 1933 to serve educators and their communities. The organization rebranded in 1995 and has grown into a significant regional financial institution. In 2017, it completed a merger with North Island Credit Union, expanding its presence across Southern California.
CCU offers core banking products including savings and checking accounts, consumer loans, mortgages, and online banking services. The credit union maintains 24 physical locations across Orange County, Riverside County, and San Diego County (operating North Island branches). Members gain access to federally-insured deposits through NCUA backing.
The credit union distinguishes itself through its historical focus on the education community while expanding to serve broader populations across six Southern California counties. Membership eligibility includes LAUSD employees, educators, charter school staff, college/university employees, private school workers, PTA members, and alumni association participants, alongside general California residents in service areas. The organization operates under dual regulation by the California Department of Financial Institutions and the National Credit Union Administration.
As a credit union rather than traditional bank, CCU operates on a member-owned cooperative model rather than shareholder profit maximization. However, detailed information about competitive rates, fees, minimum balances, and specific loan terms is not available from the provided source material. The 2017 asset snapshot ($3 billion) is the most recent financial data documented.
California processed 2,842 mortgage applications in 2023, approving 57.1% of applicants across 9 states.
2,842
Applications
57.1%
Approval Rate
$366K
Avg Loan
9
States Served
Based on 2,842 applications. Income in thousands (reported by applicant).
Source: CFPB Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) Data, 2023. Applications include originated, approved, and denied loans.
Yes. California is a registered company, headquartered in ,, founded in 1933.
Membership approval and account opening typically takes 1-3 business days. Loan decisions are usually faster than traditional banks.
No Website Currently Available
CreditDoc Diagnosis
California Credit Union is best suited for educators, school employees, and education-community members in Southern California seeking a cooperative, member-owned banking alternative with federal deposit insurance and local branch presence. Primary caveat: restrictive membership eligibility, limited geographic footprint to six counties, and lack of publicly available rate/fee information prevent comparison with competitors.
Public data from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Source: consumerfinance.gov | Last checked 2026-04-13
Atlantic Union Bank is a regional bank offering personal and business checking, savings, lending, and wealth management services across multiple locations.
Best for: Small business owners and entrepreneurs seeking industry-specific banking solutions, Individuals seeking comprehensive personal banking with multiple checking account options
Financial Center First Credit Union is a federally insured credit union based in Indianapolis offering member-owned banking, loans, mortgages, and financial education.
Best for: Indiana residents seeking member-owned banking with federal deposit insurance, Auto loan borrowers in the Indianapolis/Muncie area seeking rates below market average
LendingClub is a digital marketplace bank offering personal loans up to $60,000, auto refinancing, and award-winning checking/savings accounts with no physical branches.
Best for: Borrowers with good-to-excellent credit seeking competitive personal loan rates, Credit card debt consolidators looking for fixed-rate alternatives
Answer 3 quick questions to see if this provider matches your needs.
1. What's your primary financial goal?
Your credit report contains the raw data behind your score. Learn what's in it, how to read it, and how to dispute errors that could be dragging your score down.
Read guide →Klarna, Afterpay, Affirm — they make spending easy. But what happens to your credit score when you use them? Here's what the fine print doesn't tell you.
Read guide →Learn what makes up your credit score, how it's calculated, what the ranges mean, and how to check yours for free.
Read guide →Affiliate Disclosure: CreditDoc may earn a commission when you click links to California and other services. These commissions help us maintain our free research. Our editorial team independently evaluates all services. Compensation does not influence our ratings or rankings. Learn more.