Credit unions across California and Nevada are leading the charge in driving thriving communities through deep commitments to social impact, according to the results of the second annual Social Impact Survey for California and Nevada.

The findings were unveiled during an onstage presentation at REACH 2025 last week.

Survey Highlights Role as Community Champions

Amanda Merz, vice president of education and community impact for California’s Credit Unions and Nevada’s Credit Unions, presented the survey data during the annual conference in Palm Desert, CA, emphasizing that credit unions are doing “amazing” work as an industry.

“Our purpose is to showcase how credit unions are driving thriving communities,” Merz said. “You are doing the work every day through your loans to low-income communities, to how you give to different nonprofits, to what you provide to your employees for opportunities to help them be a part of the mission of your credit union.”

The survey, produced by the leagues, gathered responses from over 75 credit unions across California, Nevada, and Utah, reflecting the voices of institutions serving more than 8.6 million members across urban, suburban, and rural areas.

Key Findings Across Inclusion, Education, and Community

The presentation highlighted credit unions’ success in three core areas: Inclusion (removing barriers to access), Education (empowering financial well-being), and Community (giving that creates lasting impact).

Credit unions are leading in removing financial barriers and supporting underserved members:

• California: 65 percent of participating credit unions serve non-SSN individuals, and 63 percent offer payday alternatives.
• Nevada: 80 percent offer fee refunds, and 60 percent provide free credit scores.

Credit unions invest in employees as community champions:

• California: 95 percent offer a 401(k) match, and 78 percent offer paid volunteer hours.
• Nevada: 80 percent offer both tuition reimbursement and donation matching.

Giving back is not optional — it’s who credit unions are:

• California: 93 percent participate in charitable giving, and 74 percent offer scholarships.
• Nevada: 100 percent participate in charitable giving, and 80 percent offer scholarships.

‘Lives Changed’ Through Leadership

Merz concluded the presentation with a powerful message: “These numbers represent lives changed.” She championed the industry’s continued dedication to its mission, stating the core finding: “When credit unions thrive, communities rise.”

The presentation ended with a call to action for the attendees to continue their leadership and commitment, ensuring that, together, they are strengthening our communities.

View the Full Reports

You can view the California Social Impact Report here.

View the Nevada Social Impact Report here.