Southland Credit Union has officially kicked off a landmark year in 2026, marking nine decades of financial service to the Southern California community.
From its humble beginnings in 1936 to its current status as a billion-dollar institution, the credit union is celebrating its 90th anniversary with a series of community events, member promotions, and a look back at a rich history of growth.
Founded in July 1936 under a federal charter, Southland Credit Union originally served a specific niche: the employees of the L.A. County Flood Control Department. Over the next 90 years, the institution underwent several strategic transformations to better serve a widening membership.
In 1944, it transitioned to a state charter and adopted the name L.A. County Civic Center Credit Union, a title it held for half a century. Following a series of charter conversions and pivotal mergers — including unions with LAIRE Federal Credit Union in 1999 and FAMCO Federal Credit Union in 2001 — the organization officially rebranded as Southland Credit Union in February 2002.
“Our history is one of adapting to meet the needs of our Members,” the credit union stated in a recent retrospective on its site. “What began as a small group of county employees has blossomed into a diverse community of 70,000 Members across Los Angeles and Orange Counties.”
Today, Southland Credit Union operates 12 branches and manages more than $1.2 billion in assets. After relocating its corporate headquarters to Los Alamitos in 2002, the credit union successfully expanded its community charter to include all of Orange County, followed by a further expansion in 2019 to include Los Angeles County.
To honor this growth, the Southland Service Stars, the credit union’s dedicated volunteer corps, will be increasing their presence in local neighborhoods throughout 2026, reinforcing the organization’s “people helping people” philosophy.
In fact, the centerpiece of the spring anniversary celebrations is the Festival on Florence, scheduled for March 21. This upcoming festival at the credit union’s Downey Branch is a free community event featuring complimentary food, local vendors, and family-friendly activities. Attendees will be able to enter to win various raffle prizes, including a $500 Disney gift card.
In addition to live events, Southland is inviting members to participate in the celebration digitally. The “Share Your Southland Story” campaign encourages members to submit testimonials about how the credit union has impacted their lives — whether through helping them secure a first home loan, saving for education, or providing personalized service. Selected stories will be featured on the Southland website and social media channels, and participants have a chance to win a $100 prize.
For more information on special 90th-anniversary promotions, giveaways, and event RSVPs, click here.
