Better Know Your Credit Union: Sonoma Federal Credit Union

History and Background

On June 7, 1961 Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital Federal Credit Union was welcomed to the credit union movement by the Credit Union National Association. This new benefit for the hospital employees was located in the basement of Santa Rosa Memorial and completely ran by volunteer employees. On the credit union’s first day of operation, there were 60 eager employees who waited in line to deposit $5 in their new membership account.

In May 1994, Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital Federal Credit Union changed its name to Healthcare Federal Credit Union. They thought the new name would allow the credit union to more easily serve other medically related businesses and groups in addition to the hospital.

In January 2005, Healthcare Federal Credit Union changed its name to Sonoma Federal Credit Union. Today, Sonoma Federal Credit Union is able to serve anyone who lives or works in Sonoma County. Our smaller size allows us to build genuine relationships with our members. In fact, we call most of our members by their first name. Our straight forward, relaxed business style and over flowing candy bowl makes the trip to the credit union a pleasure.

We're proud to be Sonoma County's smallest credit union!

Service Specialties

One of our service specialties is obtaining the very best residential mortgage loans for our members. We work similarly to a mortgage broker and have several different alliances with other mortgage companies. Therefore, we can provide any mortgage loan available with some of the best rates, terms and fees.

Sonoma Federal Credit Union also offers a wide variety of new and used auto loans. We have flexible rates and terms and auto/equity loans that allow you to deduct the interest on auto loan on your income taxes. You can also borrow against the equity in your auto at our auto loan rates to pay for home improvements, payoff credit cards or take that dream vacation.

In addition, our credit union has free checking, with unlimited CO-OP network ATM transactions, free point of sale, free online banking and free bill payment. This checking account is also very popular with Sonoma County sole proprietor businesses.

All of our money market, certificate of deposit and numerous IRA accounts are insured up to $250,000 by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), an agency of the Federal Government.

Community Involvement

In addition to providing banking services, Sonoma Federal Credit Union works as a true cooperative. All of our members have special talents they share with the credit union. Some of our members are business owners, real estate professionals, car enthusiasts and caring medical professionals. Our credit union facilitates the sharing of services between our members and the credit union.

We recommend our members to other members and in turn, our members recommend the credit union. The most rewarding benefit is that all of this wonderful work stays in Sonoma County because we are chartered to only serve anyone who lives or works in Sonoma County. This gives us the unique advantage of concentrating all of our efforts locally.

We also participate in the Kids Wish Network which provides sick children in Sonoma County with the trip of their dreams or meeting their favorite entertainer or athlete. Recently, our credit union, along with other Sonoma County businesses arranged for a Santa Rosa boy to go to Disneyworld with his family.

Why Bank with Us?

If you are tired of long lines, sitting on the telephone with recorded message prompts, being sent from one person to the next to answer your financial questions and having to jump through hoops to obtain the best rates, then you have to try Sonoma Federal Credit Union. We serve people based on their needs, not our needs. Experience the difference…Local Banking at its Best!