For 75 years, Travis Credit Union has empowered its members and communities through financial wellness, financial education and economic assistance. It all began in 1951, serving those on Travis Air Force Base before expanding its field of service to 12 counties across Northern California today. In this blog, we’ll celebrate the impact Travis Credit Union has brought to its membership and communities.
How Travis Credit Union Began
The credit union first opened its doors on Oct. 5, 1951, as Travis Air Force Base Federal Credit Union. It was founded by a small group of civilian workers looking for an alternate way for service members, base workers and their families to borrow and save.
This vision was later extended to the surrounding areas outside of the base and then outside of Solano County. In 1974, Travis Credit Union expanded the field of membership to anyone living in the county, with the first off-base branch opening in April 1977. Some 75 years later, TCU now has 24 branches throughout Northern California. It continues to provide value-focused products and services, financial education, community partnerships and more to its members and surrounding communities.
How Travis Credit Union Provides Value to Its Members
TCU has helped build stronger financial foundations by providing affordable banking options to members. As a not-for-profit financial cooperative, it uses its earnings to offer higher interest rates on savings, lower rates on loans, fewer or no fees, credit-building products, a top-rated mobile banking app and other resources that improve your financial wellness.
In 2025, TCU provided more than $76 million in annual member benefits, with an average benefit of $300 per member. Giving back to members and communities is one of the ways TCU carries out the credit union philosophy of “people helping people.”
Helping Younger Generations Build Financial Literacy
TCU’s impact over the decades also includes delivering financial education programs that help lift communities and improve financial lives. Through its Generation Wealth program, TCU has educated more than 14,000 teens on basic budgeting topics that they’ll likely use as adults.
More than 6,900 students completed the program in 2025. The credit union partners with local school systems to present it each year. Along with this highly requested program is TCU’s Community Impact Scholarship, which annually awards 20 college-bound high school seniors with $2,000 scholarships. This program began in 2004 and to date has awarded more than $637,000 in scholarships.
Another way TCU supports the community is by helping K-12 educators through its Teacher Grant Program. In 2025, the credit union awarded grants totaling $5,000 to K-12 teachers to help them prepare for the school year. All of these are examples of how Travis Credit Union empowers communities. Learn more about TCU’s community involvement here.
Supporting Communities During Times of Need
During times of great need, such as following a wildfire or during a government shutdown, Travis Credit Union is there to help. It offers programs such as paycheck assistance loans to help government workers during shutdowns and offers hardship assistance and fee waiver programs to ease the burden of those directly affected by wildfires or other natural disasters.
In addition to financial assistance, TCU actively gives back to the communities in other ways. At its 24 branches, it has collected more than 18,666 pounds of food and has donated more than $100,000 to regional food banks. TCU employees also volunteer their time for both credit union-supported and personal causes. In 2025, they volunteered 589 hours to credit union-supported causes and another 270 hours to personal causes.
TCU also partners with various local nonprofits, schools and community organizers to support their various missions.
Supporting Local Businesses and Economic Growth
Travis Credit Union proudly supports small businesses by providing them with the lending options and business services they need for operational efficiency and growth. In 2025, TCU funded 58 small business loans under $1 million each. In addition, TCU has provided more than $1.17 billion in loans to members to support their everyday needs. TCU is also a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). In 2025, more than 50% of its loans supported CDFI markets by expanding access to affordable credit. Providing access to affordable lending helps members and small businesses prosper while it fuels local prosperity.
Travis Credit Union at 75 Years Strong
As TCU celebrates 75 years, it continues with the mission of helping people through financial wellness, financial education, value-focused resources and community partnerships. Travis Credit Union knows Knowledge is Power, one that can create stronger households and communities. TCU is your trusted local partner, one that is committed to creating meaningful impact for many years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Travis Credit Union founded?
Travis Credit Union was founded on October 5, 1951, as Travis Air Force Base Federal Credit Union. It was established by civilian workers who wanted to provide service members, base employees and their families with a better way to save and borrow money.
How did Travis Credit Union get its start?
The credit union began by serving people connected to Travis Air Force Base. Its mission was rooted in helping members achieve greater financial security through cooperative banking services.
How has Travis Credit Union expanded over the years?
Initially serving military-affiliated members, Travis Credit Union later expanded membership eligibility to Solano County residents in 1974, then beyond. Today, it serves members across 12 Northern California counties.
What is Travis Credit Union’s mission?
Travis Credit Union is committed to helping people through financial wellness, financial education, value-focused products and services and community partnerships. Its work is guided by the credit union philosophy of "people helping people."
How does Travis Credit Union provide value to its members?
As a not-for-profit financial cooperative, Travis Credit Union returns value to members through competitive rates, lower fees and affordable lending options. In 2025, the credit union delivered more than $76 million in annual member benefits.
What financial education programs does Travis Credit Union offer?
Travis Credit Union offers financial education programs designed to help people build lifelong money management skills. Its Generation Wealth program teaches students foundational topics such as budgeting and financial responsibility.
How many students have participated in the Generation Wealth program?
More than 14,000 teens have participated in the Generation Wealth program since its launch. In 2025, more than 6,900 students completed the program.
How does Travis Credit Union support higher education?
Through its Community Impact Scholarship program, Travis Credit Union helps college-bound students pursue their educational goals. Since 2004, the program has awarded more than $637,000 in scholarships.
What support does Travis Credit Union provide for local teachers?
Travis Credit Union helps K-12 educators through its Teacher Grant Program. In 2025, the credit union awarded $5,000 in grants to support classroom needs and educational initiatives.
How does Travis Credit Union assist communities during emergencies?
The credit union offers financial relief programs such as paycheck assistance loans, hardship assistance and fee waivers during times of crisis. These programs are designed to help individuals and families recover from unexpected financial challenges.
How does Travis Credit Union give back to local communities?
Travis Credit Union supports local communities through food drives, charitable donations, volunteerism and nonprofit partnerships. Its branches have collected more than 18,666 pounds of food and contributed over $100,000 to regional food banks.
How does Travis Credit Union support local economic growth?
Travis Credit Union supports economic development by providing affordable lending solutions for members and small businesses. As a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), it helps expand access to credit in underserved communities.
What does it mean that Travis Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial cooperative?
A not-for-profit financial cooperative operates for the benefit of its members rather than outside shareholders. This structure allows Travis Credit Union to reinvest earnings into member-focused products, services and benefits.
Who can join Travis Credit Union today?
Travis Credit Union serves eligible individuals and families throughout 12 Northern California counties. Membership eligibility has expanded significantly since the credit union's founding in 1951.
Why is financial literacy important to Travis Credit Union?
Financial literacy helps individuals make informed decisions about planning, saving, spending and borrowing money. Travis Credit Union invests in education programs because financial knowledge is power, one that can create stronger households and communities.
How does Travis Credit Union partner with local organizations?
Travis Credit Union works with schools, nonprofits and community groups to support initiatives that improve quality of life. These partnerships help extend the credit union's impact beyond traditional banking services.
What is Travis Credit Union celebrating during its 75th anniversary?
The credit union is celebrating 75 years of service, community investment and member support. The milestone highlights decades of helping people achieve financial well-being while strengthening Northern California communities.