POPA Federal Credit Union

What POPA Federal Credit Union does

POPA Federal Credit Union is a federally chartered, not-for-profit member-owned credit union founded in 1978 to serve employees of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. Membership eligibility has since been broadened to all law enforcement personnel across Federal, State, County, and Municipal agencies in Southern California, plus their immediate family members, household members, and retirees from eligible employment. As of fiscal year 2022, the institution reported total assets of $394.3 million, total interest income of $21.1 million, net interest income of $16.0 million, and net income of $4.3 million, with member deposits federally insured by the NCUA to at least $250,000.

The credit union operates four Southern California branches (Cerritos headquarters, Monterey Park, San Dimas, Valencia) and distributes products through a multi-channel stack: 24/7 phone banking and call center, online and mobile banking platforms (with a new digital platform in transition as of late 2025), Zelle and Apple Pay integrations, and shared branching and 30,000+ fee-free ATMs via the CO-OP Network. The product portfolio spans core banking (checking, savings, money market, share certificates, youth accounts), consumer lending (signature loans up to $30,000, debt consolidation, share-secured loans, and specialized SHIELD/Patrol & Gear loans for officers), home loans and HELOCs (originated through Navigator Lending Solutions, a division of Land Home Financial Services), vehicle financing (auto, motorcycle, recreational with add-ons such as GAP, mechanical breakdown insurance, and iLocate GPS), and VISA credit cards. Underlying technology includes SSL encryption, message authentication codes, and Falcon Fraud Manager for real-time card transaction anomaly monitoring. The partnership layer extends to LPL Financial for investments and truSTAGE for insurance, plus Autoland for vehicle concierge services.

Revenue is generated primarily through net interest income on the loan portfolio — auto, home, personal, and credit card — supplemented by transaction fees (Bounce Protection overdraft, wires, stop payments) and referral commissions on insurance and investment products. The not-for-profit cooperative structure returns earnings to members through lower loan rates, higher share certificate yields (currently 3.65% APY on a 7-month certificate), reduced fees, and a 0.50% Relationship Benefits rate discount tied to direct deposit, automatic payment, eStatements, and an active POPA credit card. Marketing and acquisition are community-led via the LASD and PPOA affiliations rather than broad-market advertising.

Name

POPA Federal Credit Union

Legal name

POPA Federal Credit Union

Website

https://popafcu.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

POPA Federal Credit Union is a federally chartered, not-for-profit credit union founded in 1978 to provide retail banking, lending, and financial services exclusively to Southern California law enforcement personnel and their families.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Credit Union / Consumer Banking

NAICS

Credit Unions (522130), Credit Card Issuing (522210), Depository Credit Intermediation (5221)

SIC

Savings Institution, Federally Chartered (6035), Personal Credit Institutions (6141)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYFSABAEAA

Community Credit Unions (Retail/Consumer Focus)

Financial & Insurance/Banking (Commerical, Retail & Consumer)/Community & Cooperative Banking (Credit Unions, Mutuals)

SECONDARYFSABAAAA

Mass-Market Consumer Deposit Banking (Checking/Savings)

Financial & Insurance/Banking (Commerical, Retail & Consumer)/Retail Banking

SECONDARYFSABAAAC

Credit Cards & Revolving Credit

Financial & Insurance/Banking (Commerical, Retail & Consumer)/Retail Banking

Keywords

• Credit union services
• Consumer lending products
• Deposit account services
• Law enforcement banking
• Mortgage loan products

Headquarters

HQ city

Cerritos

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Interest Income: Primary revenue source from interest earned on loan portfolios including auto loans, home loans, personal loans, credit cards, and other lending products. Total Interest Income: $21,057,107 (from 2022/2023 annual report). Net Interest Income: $15,962,958.
2. Fee Income: Various banking fees including overdraft protection (Bounce Protection), wire transfer fees, stop payment fees, and other account service charges. Fee schedule available publicly.
3. Financial Services Referral: Partnership with LPL Financial for investment and insurance products. POPA FCU refers members to LPL Financial advisors and receives referral benefits through the partnership arrangement.
4. Insurance Products: Partnership with truSTAGE Insurance providing AD&D, auto, home, and life insurance products to members. Commission-based revenue from insurance referrals.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

POPA Federal Credit Union provides deposit accounts (checking, savings, share certificates, money market, youth accounts), consumer lending products (signature loans, debt consolidation, share-secured, SHIELD/Patrol & Gear loans, auto/motorcycle/recreational loans, HELOCs, first mortgages), VISA credit cards, and digital banking services (online, mobile, phone banking, Zelle, Apple Pay) to law enforcement personnel and their families in Southern California. As a not-for-profit credit union, it returns earnings to members through lower loan rates, higher savings yields, and reduced fees.

Product overview

POPA Federal Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial institution serving law enforcement employees in Southern California since 1978. The product portfolio spans core banking (checking, savings, share certificates), consumer lending (personal loans including signature, debt consolidation, share-secured, and SHIELD loans for law enforcement), home loans (first mortgages and HELOCs through Navigator Lending Solutions partnership), vehicle financing (auto, motorcycle, recreational loans with add-ons like GPS tracking and mechanical breakdown insurance), credit cards (VISA with cash rewards), and digital banking platforms (online, mobile, phone banking, and SMS). Additional services include investment planning through LPL Financial, insurance products via truSTAGE, fraud protection through Falcon Fraud Manager, identity theft resources, and a complimentary car buying service through Autoland. The institution also provides specialized Patrol & Gear and SHIELD loans exclusively for law enforcement officers, reflecting its credit union roots serving those who serve and protect.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Navigator Lending Solutions: Home loan services partnership with Land Home Financial Services NMLS #1796

Products and services

• Regular Share Draft (Checking) Primary checking account for everyday banking transactions, offered to POPA FCU members (law enforcement personnel and their families).
• 2nd Chance Checking Checking account option for members who may not qualify for standard accounts, supporting financial inclusion.
• Regular Share Account (Savings) Basic savings account with minimum $10 deposit to open, available to all POPA FCU members.
• Holiday Club Savings account designed for saving toward holiday expenses, available to POPA FCU members.
• Money Market Savings Savings account with competitive rates for larger balances, targeted at members seeking higher yields on liquid funds.
• Share Certificates Term savings certificates with guaranteed returns; currently offering 3.65% APY on 7-month certificates with $1,000 minimum deposit.
• K-9 $avers Account Youth savings account for children, designed to teach financial responsibility from an early age.
• Bulldogs Checking Youth checking account designed for young POPA FCU members.
• Signature Loans Unsecured personal loans up to $30,000 with terms up to 84 months and competitive rates; payment example $22.49/month per $1,000 borrowed at 12.49% APR for 60 months.
• Debt Consolidation Loan Personal loan to consolidate existing debt with terms up to 60 months.
• Share Secured Loans Secured loan using funds in a savings account as collateral; borrow up to 100% of saved balance with no fees and terms up to 60 months.
• Patrol & Gear / SHIELD Loan Specialized loan for law enforcement officers. Maximum $5,000 for Patrol & Gear; SHIELD loans up to $3,500 require 24+ months employment and direct deposit. No credit check or debt-to-income verification required for SHIELD; terms 6-24 months.
• Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) Variable-rate credit line using home equity as collateral. Prime Rate plus margin APR, maximum 18% APR, $10,000 to $250,000 credit limit, up to 80% combined LTV. Closing costs $340-$1,400.
• Home Loans (First Mortgage) First mortgage loans originated through partnership with Navigator Lending Solutions (Land Home Financial Services). Includes purchase financing, refinance, and reverse mortgage options.
• Down Payment Assistance Programs Programs to help members with down payment funding for home purchases.
• Frontline First Homebuyers Program Homebuyer assistance program for first-time buyers, with frontline/law enforcement orientation.
• Auto Loans Vehicle loans up to 125% LTV with terms up to 96 months. Example: $1,000 at 3.99% APR for 48 months = $22.58/month payment.
• Motorcycle Loans Motorcycle financing with terms up to 72 months and various repayment options.
• Recreational Loans Loans for recreational vehicles with terms up to 180 months.
• VISA Credit Cards Credit cards with APR range 11.75%-18.00% based on creditworthiness. Benefits include auto rental collision damage waiver, roadside dispatch, travel accident insurance ($250,000), and travel emergency assistance.
• VISA Bulldogs Credit Card Credit card designed for youth members.
• Online Banking 24/7 internet access to accounts including bill pay, account tracking, free eStatements, financial management tools, budgeting, reports, and alerts.
• Mobile Banking Banking application for Apple iOS and Android devices with full account management capabilities.
• Wire Transfers Safe, reliable fund transfers between financial institutions with free incoming wire reception.
• Shared Branching Access to credit union services through CO-OP Network shared branches nationwide.
• LPL Financial Services Investment and financial planning services through LPL Financial including long-term care, life insurance, 529 plans, mutual funds, ETFs, annuities, and structured products.
• truSTAGE Insurance Insurance products through truSTAGE including AD&D coverage (no-cost for members 18+), auto/home insurance (underwritten by Liberty Mutual and Esurance), and life insurance (term, whole life, annuities).

Quantifiable outcome

• Assets of $394,294,316 with Net Interest Income of $15,962,958 and Net Income of $4,272,233

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

AI capability1 record

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Navigator Lending Solutions (Land Home Financial Services)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPOPA FCU has partnered with Navigator Lending Solutions, a division of Land Home Financial Services (NMLS #1796), to provide home loan products. This partnership ensures members have access to a wide array of loan programs including home purchase financing, refinancing, and reverse mortgages with competitive rates and fees. The partnership leverages Navigator's expertise while maintaining POPA FCU's local service approach.
• truSTAGE InsurancecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPOPA FCU has partnered with truSTAGE Insurance, which has served credit union members for over 75 years with insurance products including AD&D, auto, home, and life insurance. truSTAGE is available to over 14 million credit union members. Products are underwritten by leading insurance companies including Liberty Mutual and Esurance.
• LPL FinancialcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPOPA FCU offers investment and financial planning services through LPL Financial (Member FINRA/SIPC), one of the nation's leading financial services companies. Services include long-term care, life insurance, 529 plans, mutual funds, ETFs, annuities, and structured products. LPL does not offer proprietary investment products or engage in investment banking, ensuring objective advice.
• CO-OP NetworkcoreTechnology or IntegrationCO-OP Network provides POPA FCU members access to over 30,000 fee-free ATMs nationwide. This shared branching and ATM network partnership enables members to conduct transactions at thousands of credit union branches and ATMs across the country at no additional cost.
• AutolandminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPOPA FCU has partnered with Autoland to offer members a complimentary and personalized car buying experience. Members can customize searches for new and pre-owned vehicles, browse specific styles and price ranges, and have vehicles delivered. This service provides added value to members seeking vehicle financing.
• Falcon Fraud ManagercoreTechnology or IntegrationFalcon Fraud Manager is the leading card security program used by POPA FCU to monitor accounts and detect suspicious activity. The service maintains fraud activity files, learns spending patterns, analyzes transactions, and contacts members to verify suspicious transactions. Fraud specialists can temporarily block cards until verification is obtained.
• Apple PaycoreTechnology or IntegrationPOPA FCU supports Apple Pay contactless payments, allowing members to safely and privately make purchases using their iPhone. Members can add their POPA FCU cards to Apple Wallet and make secure contactless purchases at participating merchants.
• Los Angeles County Professional Peace Officers Association (PPOA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPOPA FCU is connected to PPOA through shared membership. PPOA members are eligible for POPA FCU membership, and the credit union supports PPOA through various member benefits. The PPOA website includes links to join POPA FCU and highlights credit union membership as a member benefit.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Firefighters First Federal Credit Union: Southern California federal credit union serving firefighters and first responders. Most direct geographic and employee-niche comparable to POPA FCU.
• Kinecta Federal Credit Union: Manhattan Beach-based federal credit union with similar asset size and Southern California footprint serving a diverse member community. Strong geographic and structural comparable.
• SESLOC Federal Credit Union: California credit union serving public safety, education, and county employees with similar niche-membership and California regulatory exposure.
• Police and Fire Federal Credit Union (PFFCU): Philadelphia-based federal credit union serving police officers, firefighters, and their families since 1938. Closest national business-model counterpart with similar employee-niche focus.
• San Diego County Credit Union (SDCCU): Southern California credit union with $11B+ assets; direct regional peer with broader membership base but overlapping Southern California footprint.
• Municipal Credit Union (NYMCU): Large New York-based credit union serving municipal employees including law enforcement. Comparable employment-niche membership model at a different scale.

Broad incumbents

• SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union: Largest California credit union serving school employees. Same niche-employee membership structure but at materially larger scale ($20B+ assets).
• Patelco Credit Union: Large California credit union ($8B+ assets) serving a broad membership base. Comparable California regulatory and operational environment.

Regional players

• Orange County's Credit Union: Regional SoCal credit union headquartered in Santa Ana. Direct geographic competitor overlapping POPA's 10-county service territory.
• Arrowhead Credit Union: Inland Empire and Southern California credit union with overlapping geographic footprint and similar regional scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/lappoa
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/ppoagreg
• Facebookfacebook.com/lappoa
• Instagraminstagram.com/lacounty_ppoa
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/popa-federal-credit-union

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about POPA Federal Credit Union