Credit Unions

California’s financial institutions are symbols of safety and soundness. Their role in business and industry are important to the economy and to our own personal well-being. Maintaining the integrity of financial services remains our primary mission as the industry continues to grow.

The Office of Credit Unions of DFPI licenses and regulates state-chartered credit unions. The Office of Credit Unions is charged with the execution of the laws of this state relating to credit unions or the credit union business. As a result, the Office of Credit Unions conducts periodic examinations of all California state licensed credit unions. The Office of Credit Unions also reviews applications for certificates to act as a credit union, and issues those certificates when all qualifications for such have been met.

The Office of Credit Unions has established a Credit Union Advisory Committee. The Credit Union Advisory Committee advises the Commissioner and the Deputy Commissioner on matters relating to credit unions or the credit union business.

Statutory definition of credit union (FC 14002): A Credit Union is a cooperative, organized for the purposes of promoting thrift and savings among its members, creating a source of credit for them at rates of interest set by the board of directors, and providing an opportunity for them to use and control their own money on a democratic basis in order to improve their economic and social conditions. As a cooperative, a credit union conducts its business for the mutual benefit and general welfare of its members with the earnings, savings, benefits, or services of the credit union being distributed to its members as patrons.

How to reach us:

Phone: (415) 263-8500
Fax: (415) 288-8830
e-mail: licensing@dfpi.ca.gov

Announcements

• 07/14/2023 – Mortgage Insurance Waiver (PDF)

Laws and Regulations

• California Code of Regulations – Credit Union
• California Financial Code Reference – Credit Union
• California Corporations Code – Credit Union
• Actions, Orders and Administrative Hearing Decisions
• Opinions

Publication and Forms

• Directory of State Chartered Credit Unions
• Credit Union Forms
• Credit Union Statistics
• Income from Fees on Nonsufficient Funds and Overdraft Charges
• Mortgage Insurance Waiver (PDF)

Tools and Resources

• Advantages of a State Charter
• Credit Union Assessment Calculator

Credit Union Forms

Notice to Individual – Use of Information

• DFPI 301 – Summary of Merger Approval Process – Credit Unions (PDF)
• DFPI 310 – Sample Form of Application – Credit Unions (PDF)
• DFPI 320 – Plan of Merger – Credit Unions (PDF)
• DFPI 330 – Sample Form of Notice of Merger – Credit Unions (PDF)
• DFPI 340 – Sample Form of Officers’ Certificate Regarding Giving of Notice – Credit Unions (PDF)
• DFPI 350 – Sample Form of Certificate of Merger of Surviving Credit Union (PDF)
• DFPI 360 – Sample Form of Certificate of Merger of Disappearing Credit Union (PDF)
• DFPI 380 – Credit Union Official – Questionnaire (PDF)
• DFPI 390 – Application for Approval to Form a Credit Union (PDF)
• DFPI 391 – Organizing a State Credit Union Information Booklet (PDF)
• DFPI 550 – Emergency Contact Person Information (PDF) 

Translations

• Translated Residential Mortgage Loan Forms and Pre-Foreclosure Notices