Sun Community Federal Credit Union - Banks

Sun Community Federal Credit Union
201 N. Imperial Ave
Imperial, CA 92251
Phone: (540) 946 3200
Fax: (540) 946 3249

Hours:
Monday-Tuesday 9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Thursday 9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Friday 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Sun Community Federal Credit Union was organized on March 9, 1954, as the Imperial Valley U.S. Employees Federal Credit Union with ten charter members. The first office was an unused detention cell in the basement of the Calexico Port of Entry. A few years later, we moved into the Post Office building in Calexico. Over the years, the field of membership was enlarged.

In January 1968, the name was changed to Government Agencies Federal Credit Union. The membership expansion created the need for a larger office, so we moved to 1407 Main Street in El Centro. In early 1977, the credit union was again growing out of its facilities. Two lots were purchased at 1441 State Street and the new building was completed in October 1979, and occupied until January 1992.

In October 1980, IMPCO Federal Credit Union merged with GAFCU, doubling the membership. This unpredicted growth dictated the need to expand the El Centro facility and in the fall of 1983, construction was completed.

In May of 1981 a temporary Branch Office in Brawley was opened and in October of the same year we relocated to 122 Main Street, a 3,000 square foot former bank building. In December of 1988, the credit union purchased a 20-year-old bank building in Brawley and moved the office into the 3,500 square feet building located at 205 Main Street.

In 1982 the Calexico Branch was opened. The Calexico office caught fire in 1983 but we did not relocate until 1984. We reopened at 247 E. 3rd Street and remained there for four years. In January 1988, the Calexico office was relocated to 308 E. 3rd on a five year lease. In June 1994, Calexico City Employees Federal Credit Union merged with GAFCU. Due to the membership expansion and lack of parking in the downtown area, a larger office was built. In 1994 the new Calexico building was occupied at 1001 Highway 98.

In 1989 we embarked on a project to build a new building in El Centro and it was completed in November 1991. January 14, 1992 we moved into our new $2.5 million headquarters. Our new building is located at 1068 Broadway and doubles the square footage of the old State Street facility. Our membership capacity is ample and the new building gives us greater visibility in the community.

In August 1991, Imperial Community Federal Credit Union signed a merger. As a result, we purchased and remodeled the old Bank of America building in Imperial. The Imperial branch office opened in October 1991.

In 1992 the grand opening of the new El Centro branch took place and we moved into the new building at 1068 Broadway with more than double the square footage of the State street address. The new branch office features eight teller windows, three drive up windows, a walk up ATM and a drive up ATM, a centralized phone system, centralized lending and new hours.

In 1994 we experienced more growing pains at the Calexico branch on Fourth Street, a new branch office welcomed members at 1001 E. Highway 98. This beautiful new 5,000 square foot facility features six teller windows, a walk up and a drive up ATM.

In the summer of 1995 the Board of Directors revised the mission statement:

"To provide members diversified, convenient & personalized financial services at competitive rates while maintaining a sound financial condition. Setting tomorrow's Standards of excellence, today".

In September 1998 GAFCU was granted a Low Income/Community Development Charter by the NCUA. Membership today includes anyone who lives, works, worships or volunteers in the Imperial County. As a CDCU, GAFCU has unlimited opportunities for obtaining grants, government assistance to help low income residents and education geared for community development. An Americorp VISTA volunteer was awarded to the credit union to develop micro-enterprise loan systems and Individual Development Accounts.

In July 2000 GAFCU opened a branch in the rural town of Holtville at 439 E. 5th Street in a building that previously housed a Pizza Hut. As a result of the expansion efforts and publicity surrounding our commitment to serve the entire county, we were approached soon after the Holtville opening by a bank wanting to close small branches.

In July 2001, Borrego Springs Bank and GAFCU finalized GAFCU's purchase of the bank's properties in Calipatria and Salton City, California. It is believed to be the first transaction in the nation of this type between a bank and a credit union.

In September of 2002, we officially changed our name to Sun Community Federal Credit Union to better serve the people of the Imperial County.

Copyright @2007.All rights reserved.