About Us
Serving the community you call home.
At Valley First, we’re more than just a financial institution – we’re your trusted partner on the journey towards financial well-being. Our commitment goes beyond banking, it’s about empowering you to achieve your dreams and secure your future.
Valley First is a not-for-profit financial cooperative that is owned by our members. For over 75 years, we’ve measured our success based on the well-being of the Central Valley. Our bottom line is the prosperity of the people who live here. From our beginnings with seven Stanislaus county employees forming Stanislaus County Employees Federal Credit Union, to merging with Gallo Employees Federal Credit Union, to uniting together to form Valley First Credit Union in 1999, we’re proud to have grown to serving more than 80,000 members and over $1 billion in assets.
Unlike banks – who are in business for their stockholders – we are in business for our members. Money earned by banks is paid out to a few stockholders. We give money back to our members in the form of higher dividend rates on savings and lower interest rates on loans. Additionally, the money deposited by credit union members is in turn loaned out to other members, advancing the credit union philosophy of "People Helping People".
Our commitment shows up in:
- Better rates – higher savings dividends and lower loan interest rates.
- Investment in our community – helping our communities thrive through financial, educational and volunteer support.
- Financial well-being and education – fostering financial well-being through financial education.
- A single-minded focus on doing good – as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), we provide access to fair and affordable financing.
Valley First empowers the smart decisions that build an unshakable financial foundation for each individual, family and business. Making good happen in our community for generations to come.
Our Mission
Working together to provide superior service for our members and community.
Here to serve you.
Valley First Credit Union’s eight branches provide quality financial services to the growing and diverse communities of Calaveras, Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Tulare, and Tuolumne Counties.
Explore Valley First
1948
Stanislaus County Employees FCU
Stanislaus County Employees FCU received their application for permission to organize and operate a Federal Credit Union, known as the "Stanislaus County Employees Federal Credit Union". The charter was signed by seven charter members: Edna Thomson, F.S. Kelley, Nelle Dwyne, Sherrill Halbert, B.H. High, Mark V. Wilson, Gordon Kelley. The seven charter members contributed one share, each with $5.00 par value.
1949
Stanislaus County Employees FCU
In the beginning, the credit union operated out of Tom & Betty Bright’s home on California Avenue. As the credit union grew, they operated out of the auditor's office, and finally began sharing space with Modesto City and Telpaco credit unions in the old YMCA building on I Street in Modesto.
1956
Gallo Employees FCU
The Gallo Employees FCU organization certificate and original Charter were signed in August of 1956. Eight Winery employees formed and signed the Charter, each investing one share in the credit union. All of the records were kept in a small metal box.
1959
Gallo Glass FCU
Gallo Glass Federal Credit Union was organized in June of 1959, and by 1965, there were only 139 members and the maximum for unsecured loans was $200.00. One individual was hired to work on Wednesday afternoon to handle the loans and the books. The credit union hours were from 1:00 to 4:30pm and held on-site in the training room.
1968
Gallo Employees Federal Credit Union & Gallo Glass FCU Merger
Gallo Employees Federal Credit Union (E. & J. Gallo Winery) and Gallo Glass Federal Credit Union merged in order to increase assets and increase loan availability. The merged credit union had office space at 600 Yosemite Boulevard with a combination secretary-treasurer and receptionist.
1973
Stanislaus County Employees FCU
The credit union Celebrated their Silver Anniversary (25 years). Assets of $2,162,377 with loans of $1,726,562 or, 80% share to loan ratio. Member Dividends paid to savers $96,026 + Interest Rebate to borrowers $17,326 = $113,346
1978
Stanislaus County Employees FCU
The credit union celebrated their 30th year of incorporation. Over $4 million in assets ($4.3) and four full-time staff. We paid back to members over 1/4 million dollars (Over $224,500 in 6.25% quarterly dividends and $38,000 in 10% interest rebate on loans. Our loan to share ratio was 99.3%.)
1985
Stanislaus County Employees FCU
A new, larger and more serviceable office was built on the 620 14th Street site. During construction, credit union business was conducted from a trailer behind the site. New products like checking accounts were added. In 1986, VISA cards were available and an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) was built next to the office to allow for convenient 24-hour banking.
1987
Vintage FCU
Moved to a new location at 2101 Yosemite Boulevard. The building owned by Gallo and formerly occupied by Prairie Market, was transformed into a new spacious financial office. Along with the new location came a new name - Vintage Federal Credit Union, and the field of membership was expanded to include employees of several other companies other than Gallo.
1988
Stanislaus County Employees FCU
The credit union’s assets totaled $31 million. An in-house computer system was installed and the new Compu Talk service, which allowed members to access their accounts from home or the office 24 hours a day. Del Puerto Hospital/Patterson Ambulance employees were added to the growing field of membership. A merger with Marathon (James River Corporation) Federal Credit Union brought assets of over $1 million and approximately 350 members.
1989
Stanislaus County FCU
The National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) officially approved the name change to Stanislaus County Federal Credit Union, leaving out "Employees" from the name. A merger with International Paper-Turlock Federal Credit Union took place in 1990.
1998
Stanislaus Federal Credit Union & Vintage Federal Credit Union Merger
Board of Directors of Stanislaus Federal Credit Union, along with Vintage Federal Credit Union, agreed to join together to become a new, bigger, and better credit union uniquely positioned to serve it's combined membership.
1999
Stanislaus FCU & Vintage FCU Become Valley First Credit Union
Stanislaus County FCU and Vintage FCU merged under a State Charter which included Stanislaus and San Joaquin Counties and adopted a new name of Valley First Credit Union. The 1419 J Street branch in downtown Modesto was remodeled and reopened as Valley First Credit Union with assets of $116 million and 19,000 members.
2001
Valley First Credit Union
Our first new branches under the Valley First name opened in Turlock and Oakdale.
2003
Valley First Credit Union
Valley First hits $200M in assets, introduces Online Check Reordering, Online Visa Access, new statement features and layout. We began offering Saturday hours for the Call Center and at the Dale Road Branch, and opened the Administrative Office Building, 1005 W Orangeburg Ave, Ste B, in Modesto.
2013
Valley First Credit Union
The credit union reached $500M in assets. Three counties ‐ Calaveras, Kings and Tulare ‐ were added to the credit union charter. Valley First now included 12 branches, one administrative office, a total of 156 employees, and 15 ATMs.
2015
Valley First Credit Union
The credit union now totaled $525M in assets, with 11 branches, one administrative office, 20 ATMs, and a total of 168 employees.
2019 - 2021
Valley First Credit Union
Valley First opened our first Smart Branches in Clovis, Turlock and Sisk Road Modesto locations. Smart branches feature Interactive Teller Machines (ITM) which are like traditional ATM machines, with the option of getting assistance from a live virtual teller.
2022
Valley First Credit Union
The credit union achieved a significant milestone of $1 billion in assets. We received the Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) designation from the U.S. Treasury Department. This designation enables us to provide financial services that ensure equitable access to fair financing and uplifts underserved communities.
2023
Valley First Credit Union
Opened our Smart Branch in Fresno, which represented a modern fusion of smart branch advisory services and traditional banking. We served 78,174 members, with total assets of $1.019 billion.
2024
Valley First 75th Anniversary
Today we’re celebrating the 75 years we’ve been a trusted partner, an advocate, and a champion for the communities we serve.
As we celebrate our 75-year legacy and look ahead to a future filled with possibility, we remain guided by the same principles that started it all — trust, integrity, and an unwavering dedication to the people we serve.