- 2022 – Our beloved President and CEO, Julie Kirsch, retired after 32 years of leadership roles with Meriwest. Kirsch’s tenure grew the credit union from $1 billion to over $2.2 billion in assets, improved earnings, expanded our member base, and introduced innovative banking technology.
We were honored for the second year to be named the Best Credit Union in Silicon Valley by the Mercury News Readers Choice Awards. For the third straight year we were awarded the “Best Place’s to Work” award from the Silicon Valley Business Journal.
One Hundred percent of Meriwest employees volunteered or donated to various organizations. We conducted over 250 financial literacy workshops for nearly 12,000 at-risk community residents. Meriwest won first-place won first-place among Credit Unions in the National Desjardin Financial Education Awards.
We continued to grow, with total assets of almost $2.25 billion. Lending was up almost $350 million in 2022, to $1.79 billion, as we helped homebuyers navigate the tumultuous housing market, funding over $287 million in new mortgages. Meriwest Wealth Advisors also supported members in a difficult year, managing over $160 million in member assets.
- 2021 – Meriwest Credit Union recognized 60 years of exceptional service to our members and community. COVID-19 continued to impact our daily lives, personally, professionally, and socially, but despite the challenges we continued to grow, and expand reaching $2 billion in assets.
Meriwest Community Development conducted over 180 financial education workshops on topics ranging from simple budgeting to buying your first car, reaching more than 8,000 community members.
One hundred percent of our employees volunteered over 1,000 hours to help others and donated more than $32,000 to various nonprofits and schools. Meriwest funded two grants from the Federal Home Loan Bank, including $1,075,000 for Project Hired to support their commitment to empower job seekers and additional funds for CityTeam to improve accommodations for women and their children who are facing challenges in their lives. We also sponsored over $50,000 in charitable events with 18 individual non-profits, helping provide food relief and support those facing this challenging health crisis and for disenfranchised families facing homelessness.
We are proud to have been voted a “Best Places to Work” by the Silicon Valley Business Journal again, an honor driven by our own employees. Meriwest was included in The Mercury News 2021 “Best in Silicon Valley” Reader’s Choice Awards.
Meriwest has received numerous awards from nonprofits for their philanthropic activities and support of the underserved. Most recently, our Community Relations Manager, Helen Grays Jones, won the 2021 Black Legends Silicon Valley Hall of Fame Joyner-Stroughter Community Service Award.
- 2020 – Despite the ongoing pandemic , 100% of the Meriwest Team again volunteered their time and money to various non-profit agencies. Our community outreach team provided 170 financial education workshops to over 2,000 adults and young adults.
The credit union sponsored much needed grants through the Federal Home Loan Bank’s Affordable Housing program, distributing over $1.3 million in grants to house the homeless, provide down payments to first time homebuyers, provide pandemic relief, and much more.
Meriwest Mortgage had a record year, closing $484 million in residential mortgages, helping many members lower their mortgage payment.
Meriwest staff voted Meriwest one of the 2020 Best Places to Work in the Bay Area and we were again a runner up in the San Jose Mercury News 2019 Best of Silicon Valley Awards.
- 2019 – In March, Meriwest hosted the grand re-opening of its flagship financial center at Chesbro Avenue in San Jose. After several months of renovation, the newly redesigned financial center welcomed members, employees, community and government partners.
The credit union was recognized as runner-up in the Best Credit Union category in the 2019 Best of Silicon Valley Awards. The award recognizes leaders in a variety of categories with more than 6,000 votes cast by readers of the San Jose Mercury News.
Meriwest launched its new website that offers members and visitors an even better experience. The streamlined, modern design and functionality makes it easier to find information and navigate the website. This marks another step in our drive towards a stronger and better online presence.
- 2018 – Meriwest generated over $228 million in consumer mortgages, $224 million in consumer loans and $50 million in business loans.
In our Member Service Quality Survey, 95% of our members reported that we met or exceeded their expectations. We’re so bullish about our service that we’ll continue to strive for 100% member satisfaction.
We completed phase one of our Smart Dashboard project to help us manage our members’ assets better.
As in previous years, every single Meriwest employee participated in some type of community service, contributing over 1,500 volunteer hours. In addition, we donated more than $50,000 in cash, $5,000 worth of supplies, 483 lbs. of household goods and 341 lbs. of baby items to local charities like Second Harvest Food Bank, Loved Twice and the victims of the Camp Fire. Our Community Relations team hosted financial literacy workshops with over 8,000 attendees.
- 2017 – Meriwest’s support for members buying or refinancing a home grew to $425 million as our overall financial support to members through loans exceeded $900 million.
In order to serve our members better we opened a new Financial Center in Main St, Cupertino and completed an extensive remodel and upgrade of our Milpitas Financial Center.
We rolled out instant issue debit card capabilities to all of our branches, so when a member opens an account or loses their card there is no waiting for convenient, secure access to funds. We also implemented eNotices for more secure, speedy and effective communication with our members.
Again, 100% if our staff participated in some of community service activity. Contributions this year included hundreds of pounds of warm clothing, blankets, backpacks and school supplies for Bay Area charities, Halloween costumes for every child in a local homeless shelter, and over 230 fresh Thanksgiving Turkeys for the needy served by Second Harvest Food Bank.
- 2016 – Meriwest provided $319 million in loans to help members buy or refinance a home and lent over $125 million to local businesses to support our community‘s growth.
We converted all of our debit cards to EMV chip technology and added enhanced card benefits such as identity theft resolution, extended warranty and price protection at no additional cost. We also added Card Controls to Meriwest online banking to allow members to activate, reactivate or cancel their debit cards immediately if needed. We also added Quick Balance to our mobile app, putting that important figure right at your fingertips.
Meriwest Wealth Advisors was created to help grow and protect member assets and plan for major life events and retirement.
100% of our staff joined some sort of community service, contributing more than 1,900 service hours. Additionally, staffed contributed over $38,000 in support of 34 local charities. Meriwest Community Relations provided financial literacy workshops and seminars to over 6,000 members, neighbors and students.
- 2015 – Meriwest opened two full-service branches — in the Santa Clara Town Centre on El Camino Real and inside the Market by Safeway on Second Street in the heart of downtown San Jose.
We helped 562 members buy or refinance a home and supported our community’s growth through 28 business loans.
We upgraded our telecommunications system for quicker, 24/7 access to more account information and more efficiently and accurate call routing. We also improved our disaster recovery site infrastructure so we can continue to run all of our core systems to serve members in the event of a disaster.
We provided financial literacy seminars, taught by Meriwest employees, to 5,121 students at local schools, junior colleges and youth organizations; and to members throughout the community.
Ninety-eight percent of our staff joined in some form of community service — and more than 200 employees invested 1,722 hours of their time to events and activities in our community.
- 2014 – Meriwest made great strides in 2014, both visible and behind-the-scenes, improving services and technology with a focus on convenience for our members.
We expanded member accessibility to accounts with the launch of Remote Deposit Capture through our mobile banking application. We also enhanced convenience on the go with the introduction of our first Image Capture ATMs. No longer will you be required to use an envelope to make your deposit. We will continue to roll-out these improved ATMs at our existing branches throughout 2015.
We have a new telecommunications system that gives you faster, expanded access to account information at your fingertips, as well as more seamlessly routing calls so you are helped by the right person on our staff – the first time. We also integrated our credit and debit payment systems to give members one source of contact for all card needs, while adding American Express to our offerings for more choice and convenience. Our effort to bring practical financial education to our community continued to expand through community outreach through schools and local non-profit organizations. Nearly 85% of Meriwest’s staff provided their time and energy toward community service.
Meriwest also delivered financial support to important service organizations in our community. We teamed up with Federal Home Loan Bank to bring valuable resources to those in need. We presented a check for $20,000 to Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence for their work in helping battered women and children escape the cycle of domestic violence. We were also proud to sponsor a $25,000 grant to Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County for their SaveNow! pilot program, providing financial education and credit building to at-risk refugee foster care youth.
- 2013 – Meriwest continued with improvements to our remote and online banking that make being a Meriwest member more secure and satisfying than ever. We introduced Mobile Deposits into our Mobile Banking application. Members can now deposit a check from the convenience of their homes without worrying about finding an ATM or visiting a branch. We continued to enhance our online banking platform for additional security and ease of use to ensure the best protection available for your finances.
Meriwest continued to serve our communities, reaching out to nearly 5,000 individuals to provide financial development and education seminars. All of these activities allowed for a better experience by our members with Meriwest.
-
2012 – Meriwest made several improvements to our remote and online banking that make being a Meriwest member more satisfying than ever. We introduced Bill Pay into our Mobile Banking application. We also upgraded our online banking platform for better security and ease of use, upgraded online calculators, and added links to online loan applications and lending representatives. All of these features allowed for better and easier access for our members to manage their finances on their schedule.
2012 was also a breakout year for our Responsible Financial Practices Initiative. We conducted free workshops and seminars for teens, business people, homemakers, single parents…anyone interested in learning the basics of personal finances from balancing a checkbook and creating a budget to calculating loan payments and making wise financial choices. In reaching out to over 6,000 adults and students, this program won the California Credit Union League’s “California Outreach Award” as well as the Richard Myles Johnson Foundations “Beacon Award” for outstanding youth financial education outreach.
In 2012 Meriwest funded 1,270 home loans totaling more $361 million. We continued to work with area organizations to make homeownership a reality through our partnerships with the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco and the Housing Endowment and Regional Trust (HEART) of San Mateo County. Utilizing the FHLB’s IDEA, WISH, and Affordable Housing Grant programs and through San Mateo County’s HEART Opening Doors Loan program we have been able to help families of moderate means attain the dream of homeownership.
-
2011 – Meriwest introduces Mobile Banking apps. Now members have anytime access to manage their accounts by using their smart phones. Adoption grows to over 10% of membership in just 6 months.
Meriwest also continued efforts to focus on Community Investment and Development. We introduced the community to financial education courses on topics of Managing Your Credit, Auto Financing, Home Buying, Investment Planning and more. In 2011, Meriwest was pleased to have reached out to nearly 5,000 in the community.
-
2009 – Meriwest made great strides in Community Investment and Development. We introduced "Real World Budgeting" for teens and young adults, presenting to local schools and communities, reaching over 1000 youth.
Meriwest also introduced the FLOW Account. An online electronic debit card for teens that allowed parents to set credit limits and establish spending conditions with their teens, as well as "recharge" the card as required. With the FLOW card teens could learn the value of budgeting and managing their money first hand while parents controlled the flow.
Meriwest was also recognized for its community development efforts by winning the Dora Maxwell award from the California Credit Union League, recognizing our socially responsible efforts within the community. Meriwest earned awards from two statewide credit union competitions: the Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Recognition Award and the Louise Herring Credit Union Philosophy in Action Award.
In 2009, we continued to rank high in member satisfaction with 86.7% of members definitely agreeing that they feel satisfied with Meriwest and their banking experience here.
-
2008 – Meriwest obtained a community charter that allowed the Credit Union to provide membership to all residents of Pima County, Arizona.
-
2007 – Meriwest added six financial centers during the year. The credit union expanded its presence in the East Bay with a new location on Crow Canyon Road in San Ramon, and new financial centers were opened on Hillsdale Avenue and Cottle Road in San Jose. Three locations were also added through Meriwest's merger with Golden Bay Federal Credit Union: in Moffett Field, Downtown San Jose and Sunnyvale.
In addition, the merger with Golden Bay increased Meriwest's asset total to $1.3 billion and membership to 92,000.
-
2006 – Meriwest celebrated 45 years of service, proudly looking back at the many relationships the credit union has developed with members since 1961.
-
2005 – Meriwest continued its trend of strong growth and increased its assets and membership base by completing a merger with Silicon Valley Credit Union.
As a result of the merger, Meriwest surpassed $1 billion in assets and expanded its presence in the Bay Area Peninsula as 4 locations in Mountain View, Palo Alto (2), and Menlo Park were converted to Meriwest Credit Union financial centers.
-
2004 – Meriwest introduced free checking with free online banking and bill pay, and a new Home Banking web site adding greater online banking conveniences and the ability to transfer funds to and from other institutions.
Meriwest also prepared to launch Business Banking services to deliver a personalized banking experience to small business through dedicated business banking representatives and benefits that are scarcely offered by other financial institutions such as truly free business checking and premier business checking accounts that pay interest to all businesses.
-
2003 – Meriwest achieved its second consecutive year of record net income and became the second fastest growing credit union in the San Francisco Bay Area in terms of membership growth.
Meriwest opened two new financial centers in Dublin and San Mateo and merged with Oakland-based Franklin Media Credit Union expanding Meriwest's field of membership to employees and family of media related companies in Marin, Napa, Solano, Sonoma, Monterey and Santa Cruz counties.
Meriwest Mortgage became the credit union's largest asset as the result of a substantial increase in first time home buying and refinancing.
-
2002 – Meriwest was the only financial services institution out of more than 15,000 small to mid-size financial institutions in the country to be recognized for Customer Relationship Management excellence by the Gartner Group, the world's most prestigious industry analyst firm.
-
2001 – Meriwest celebrated its 40th anniversary and surpassed $750 million in assets.
-
2000 – Meriwest received approval to add the counties of San Mateo, San Francisco and Contra Costa to its membership base. It opened two new financial centers in North San Jose and Milpitas.
-
1999 – Meriwest received approval to add Santa Clara and Alameda counties to its membership base and changed its name to Meriwest Credit Union.
-
1998 – Meriwest held an election to change its charter from Federal to State which would result in significant increases in its membership-base. Its members overwhelmingly approved. That same year, Meriwest surpassed $500 million in assets.
-
1997 – Meriwest acquired Community Savings FCU and its Milpitas and Palo Alto branches.
-
1993 – Meriwest's customer service opportunities were greatly increased as the National Credit Union Administration approved expansion to Selected Employer Groups outside IBM. This resulted in Meriwest providing financial opportunities to employees of companies such as Loral, Computer Task Group, Inc., Pacific Coast Building Products, Inc., and American Gas & Technology.
-
1982 – Meriwest Credit Union surpassed $100 million in total assets.
-
1980 – Meriwest merged with Sun States Credit Union and opened offices in Los Angeles and Tucson, Arizona.
-
1975 – Meriwest became the Pacific IBM Employees Federal Credit Union and added seven additional states to its membership base.
-
1961 – Meriwest Credit Union was officially chartered as the IBM San Jose Employees Federal Credit Union to primarily serve the employees of IBM and their relatives.
Join Meriwest
Unlock the benefits of banking with Meriwest Credit Union
You can also call us at 877-MERIWEST (877) 637-4937