About Us
Get to Know South Bay Credit Union
People helping people. It’s who we are. It’s who we’ll always be.
About Us
Get to Know South Bay Credit Union
People helping people. It’s who we are. It’s who we’ll always be.
Our History
Much has changed since we first opened our doors in 1953, and South Bay Credit Union has evolved along with the community we serve. Back then, we were known as Centinela-South Bay Credit Union and our members were mainly employees of Redondo Beach and Manhattan Beach and their families. Over the years we continued to grow and expand, mostly in the public sector— to include local school districts, police and fire departments, and other organizations across the South Bay. In 1993 we changed our name to South Bay Credit Union because we felt it better reflected our home and our heritage.
Several years later in 1998, we merged with Palos Verdes Schools Federal Credit Union (PVSFCU) and expanded our ability to better serve a larger portion of the South Bay. Former PVPUSD teachers Jerry Gaines and Perry Lynn joined South Bay Credit Union as volunteers.
Our last major organizational evolution took place on February 28, 2002, when we officially changed our charter and became the community-based credit union that our members know and love today. Like the community we’ve served for over 70 years, we will never stop evolving and changing. We will always continue our long tradition of constantly seeking ways to serve you better.
Mission Statement
South Bay Credit Union exists to uplift communities by empowering members to live better and do better.
Vision Statement
Being an integral part of a community in which all are financially empowered to live their very best life.
Member Spotlight
Live Here. Work Here. Welcome Here.
Membership is open to all who live, work, or worship in the community known as South Bay, LA County.
Annual Meeting
An annual meeting is a huge part of what makes credit unions so different from banks. As a cooperative financial institution, your participation matters. Join us annually in April via Zoom as we celebrate our past years' accomplishments and share our upcoming plans.
Discover the South Bay Credit Union Difference
At South Bay Credit Union, we believe in placing people and purpose over profits.
Unlike big banks where shareholders divide up the earnings, South Bay Credit Union returns its earnings to our members in the form of better rates and lower fees that save you money.
Unlike big banks where shareholders divide up the earnings, South Bay Credit Union returns its earnings to our members in the form of better rates and lower fees that save you money.
Our South Bay roots go deep, and our branch employees go out of their way to get to know you personally so they can serve you better.
Our South Bay roots go deep, and our branch employees go out of their way to get to know you personally so they can serve you better.
Our volunteer, member-run board keeps South Bay Credit Union focused on delivering the kind of service you simply won’t get at a large national bank.
Our volunteer, member-run board keeps South Bay Credit Union focused on delivering the kind of service you simply won’t get at a large national bank.
We’re committed to strengthening our wonderful South Bay community through sponsorships, charitable donations, and employee volunteerism.
We’re committed to strengthening our wonderful South Bay community through sponsorships, charitable donations, and employee volunteerism.
With three centrally located branches in South Bay, access to 30,000 surcharge-free ATMs nationwide, a full range of quality financial solutions, and secure digital banking tools, we offer everything you need to manage your money anytime, anywhere.
With three centrally located branches in South Bay, access to 30,000 surcharge-free ATMs nationwide, a full range of quality financial solutions, and secure digital banking tools, we offer everything you need to manage your money anytime, anywhere.
Our Cooperative Principles
Credit unions are cooperatives, which means they are owned by their members. When you join South Bay Credit Union, you become a member of a cooperative community network of “people helping people.” Our main goal as a not-for-profit financial cooperative is to serve the needs of our members and our community.
Leadership
South Bay Credit Union is guided by an all-member, volunteer Board of Directors and a Supervisory Committee elected by the membership. These non-paid volunteers govern South Bay Credit Union policy, while a professional management team oversees daily operations.
Executive Team
Our executive team is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the credit union. The President/CEO is hired by the Board of Directors to manage operations and build the executive team.
Paris Chevalier, President & CEO
Frank Espinoza, Executive Vice President & Chief Risk Officer
Bernice White, Chief Lending Officer
Don Steinman, Chief Financial Officer
Volunteer Committee
South Bay Credit Union’s Supervisory Committee and Board of Directors are committees of volunteers who are each elected to three-year terms by the general membership.
FAQs About Supervisory Committee Membership
Learn more about the responsibilities of Supervisory Committee members.
- Monitoring board and management activities
- Providing for financial statement audits
- Conducting annual member account verification
- Verifying compliance with policies, procedures, rules, and regulations
- Monitoring the internal control environment
- Meeting periodically with the internal auditor
- Meeting periodically with regulatory examiners and financial statement auditors
- Reviewing management reports
- Attending periodic training seminars
Apply to Volunteer
We believe that every volunteer helps to make South Bay Credit Union a quality institution for our members and community. Adult members in good standing are welcome to take their membership to the next level and volunteer to serve on the Board of Directors or Supervisory Committee.
Applications to be considered for the Annual Meeting are due by February 28 of each year; however, we accept applications anytime. Please complete an application and we will contact you shortly.
Get Started Today
As a member-owned, not-for-profit credit union, we take pride in helping you realize your financial goals.
© South Bay Credit Union. All Rights Reserved. Each account insured up to $1,000,000 by American Share Insurance. By members’ choice, this institution is not federally insured. The credit union is not insured by any state government.
© South Bay Credit Union. All Rights Reserved. Each account insured up to $1,000,000 by American Share Insurance. By members’ choice, this institution is not federally insured. The credit union is not insured by any state government.
Copied to clipboard!