Richard Ruiz, Chairman
Message from the Chairman
Welcome to Safe 1 Credit Union. Safe 1 is a member-owned cooperative financial institution. As such, we are owned by our members, not by stockholders. In 1952, a handful of local State Employees, tired of the exorbitant loan interest rates charged by banks, started our Credit Union. They pooled their savings and raised enough funds to begin making small loans to their co-workers. Initially, membership was limited to local State Employees, but today any resident of Kern or Tulare County may join.
Safe 1 has grown to over $325 million in assets and now offers a wide range of financial services to over 40,000 members. Even though we offer banking services, one thing sets us apart from banks. We continue to be owned by our members and all profits are invested into member services or returned to members in the form of dividends on savings and low interest rates on loans.
The Board of Directors and Committee members at Safe 1 are unpaid volunteers. They are members at-large that donate their time because they believe in the benefits of a credit union. As Chairman, I can assure you that the Board of Directors will continue to strive to provide a safe and sound institution and offer the highest level of service possible for Safe 1 members. After all, as members, we are in this together.
Richard Ruiz, Chairman
Safe 1 Credit Union
Oak Street Office
