Staying True to Our Mission
Credit Unions are a cooperative industry, owned, and operated by their “customers” (called members). Since Credit Unions are a non-for-profit type of organization, they typically are able to return their profits by offering lower fees, better rates and benefits than commercial banks. Meriwest supports the Credit Union movement by ensuring we promote products and services that make life easier for our community residents. We are “People Helping People!”
When it comes to credit unions, we truly are different from banks:
- We promote the economic well-being of our members, including those of modest means
- We do so through a system that is cooperative, member-owned, volunteer directed, and not-for-profit
- We continue to invest in people, reaching out to help those who are traditionally underserved
- Learn why millions of Americans join credit unions
We partner and support a number of industry organizations:
- National Credit Union Association (NCUA)
- California Credit Union League (CCUL) Santa Clara Valley Chapter
- Children's Miracle Network
- Credit Union National Association
Make the Move to Meriwest!
Meriwest Credit Union is one of Silicon Valley's largest and most established financial institutions. We've been providing proactive, personal and innovative financial services to businesses and families throughout the Bay Area and Tucson, Arizona, for more than 60 years.
We provide a wide range of financial options -- the products and services that our members want and need:
- Personal savings and checking accounts
- Investment and retirement accounts
- Personal Loans, Credit Cards and Auto Loans
- Mortgage services -- purchase and refinance
- Free Online Banking and Bill Pay
- Merit Rewards® program -- and much more!
Join Our Family!
Membership is required for Meriwest products and services. You are eligible to join Meriwest Credit Union if any of the following applies:
- You live, work, worship, or attend school in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties of Northern California, and Pima county of Arizona.
- You are an employee of a participating Meriwest Credit Union member company.
- You are a relative of or reside with a current member of Meriwest Credit Union.
- If you don’t meet any of the requirements above but live in California or Arizona, you can still join Meriwest with a complimentary membership in the Financial Fitness Association. Call 1-877-637-4937 to learn more.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What are some advantages of being a member of a Credit Union?
A Credit Union is a not-for-profit, member-owned, and member-operated financial cooperative. Our members receive comprehensive financial services at highly competitive rates and terms with easy access to personal attention from our staff. We are involved in serving the community and are federally insured by the NCUA.
Unlike major banks, our profits are re-invested, so our savings and checking plans can often pay you more and our loans can cost you less. We do business in accordance with the Federal Fair Housing Law.
Click here to visit our Member Benefits page.
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What is a Credit Union and how do they differ from banks?
A Credit Union is a not-for-profit, member-owned and member-operated financial cooperative. We offer members comprehensive financial services at very competitive rates and terms.
When you join Meriwest Credit Union you become part-owner. Unlike the banks we do no not have bank stockholders to satisfy, so we pass on the savings to you in the form of lower mortgage and loan rates, fewer service fees and higher yields on savings and checking. We serve you with the personal attention our members deserve.
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How are Credit Unions insured?
Credit unions are federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). Member savings at Meriwest are insured up to $250,000 by the National Credit Union Share Insurance Funds (NCUSIF).
The fund is backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. No taxpayer funds are used to support the NCUA or the NCUSIF.
Not a member?Meriwest Credit Union is a full-service, not-for-profit, member-owned financial organization with no fee debit cards, highly competitive loan, savings, and checking programs, and convenient 24-hour access to your accounts online and with mobile!
Join us today!
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Can anyone join the credit union?
Membership in Meriwest Credit Union is open to all individuals who:
- Live, regularly work, currently attend school, or regularly worship in Santa Clara, Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo, or San Francisco, California counties, or Pima County, Arizona; or
- Are employed by public or private technology-based entities, as defined in the Meriwest Credit Union Bylaws, with a location in California or Arizona; or
- Are active or retired employees of International Business Machines Corporation ("IBM") and partially or wholly owned subsidiaries who live within our geographic field of membership; or
- Are employees of or individuals receiving a pension, retirement, or annuity from affiliated companies or Select Employer Groups ("SEG") as approved by the Credit Union's Board of Directors; or
- Are an immediate family member (spouse, child, sibling, parent, grandparent, grandchild, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, first or second cousin, stepparent, stepchild, step-sibling, parent-in-law, sibling-in-law or any adopted relationship) of a qualified Meriwest Credit Union member (living or deceased); or
- Are a family member, domestic partner, or unrelated person sharing the same household of a qualified Meriwest Credit Union member.
Unlock the benefits of banking with Meriwest Credit Union. Join us today!