This year marks a milestone for two credit unions, as Compass Community Credit Union in California and Clark County Credit Union in Nevada celebrate 75 years of dedicated service.
Since their concurrent founding in 1951, both credit unions have undergone transformations: Compass Community evolved from a focused cooperative for Humboldt State College employees into a three-county regional partner, while Clark County Credit Union grew from a single desk near a downtown evidence vault into a Southern Nevada powerhouse with nearly 60,000 members.
The credit union was officially founded in 1951 as a California State Employees Credit Union used by professors and employees of Humboldt State College (now Cal Poly Humboldt). On January 29, 1979, California State Employees No. 20 Credit Union merged with the Federal Employees of Humboldt County Credit Union. The credit union then adopted the name California State & Federal Employees No. 20 Credit Union.
Following a field of membership expansion in late 2017 to allow membership to those who live, work or worship in Humboldt, Del Norte & Trinity counties, the credit union officially changed its name to Compass Community Credit Union in January 2018. Compass will be offering several promotions throughout the year to celebrate the 75th anniversary.
“We are proud to celebrate our 75th anniversary and extend our sincere gratitude to our members in Humboldt, Del Norte, and Trinity Counties for helping us reach this meaningful milestone”, said Ray Litchfield, President and CEO of Compass Community Credit Union.
What began as a small cooperative formed by 25 Clark County employees in 1951, has grown into a thriving, member-owned credit union with nearly 60,000 members and six branch locations across the valley.
The credit union’s humble beginnings trace back to a wooden table, chair and cashbox located just outside the evidence vault in the downtown Las Vegas County building. Today, CCCU stands as a trusted financial partner that has evolved alongside its members, growing and improving while staying true to its cooperative roots.
Over the years, CCCU has given back millions of dollars in dividends to its members, reinvesting the profits back into our community and boosting the local economy by $35 million this year alone–in the form of yields on savings and investments accounts.
In addition, the credit union has continued to support families, individuals and businesses by offering accessible financial products and resources that promote financial well-being. Beyond banking, CCCU extends its impact through charitable donations and employee volunteer initiatives that strengthen the communities it serves, including support for organizations such as Children’s Miracle Network, Ronald McDonald House and Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth (NPHY). These efforts reflect the credit union’s ongoing commitment to improving member experiences and meeting the diverse needs of Southern Nevada’s workforce.
“As we celebrate this incredible milestone, we’re reflecting on how far we’ve come and the members who made it all possible,” said Matt Kershaw, CEO at CCCU. “From that first small table to six branches, every success we’ve achieved has been built on the trust and loyalty of our members, the dedication of our employees and the partnerships we’ve built within our community. We’re honored to continue innovating and serving for generations to come.”
As both credit unions reflect on decades of mergers, name changes, and community reinvestment — including millions of dollars returned in dividends and extensive support for local nonprofits — they also enter their 75th year with a shared commitment to the cooperative values that have turned humble beginnings into lasting legacies.
