SAG-AFTRA Federal Credit Union

What SAG-AFTRA Federal Credit Union does

SAG-AFTRA Federal Credit Union is a federally chartered, member-owned credit union founded in 1962 as Los Angeles AFTRA Federal Credit Union and renamed under its current name in 1976. It serves SAG-AFTRA performers and their families across the entertainment industry, including actors, broadcast journalists, singers, and voice actors, operating three branches in the Los Angeles metropolitan area (Wilshire at SAG-AFTRA Plaza, Burbank, and Sherman Oaks) and providing full banking services through online, mobile, and telephone channels. The credit union is NCUA-insured, holds NMLS #440435 for mortgage lending, and markets itself under the abbreviated brand SAFCU.

The product suite covers the standard retail banking stack: Regular Share Savings, four checking account variants (Performance, eChecking, Senior, Teen Performer), Money Market Savings with tiered APYs up to 1.25%, IRAs, share certificates with 12-60 month terms at 2.40%-3.85% APY, and trust accounts. Lending products include Visa Classic and Rewards credit cards (11.24%-13.24% APR), vehicle loans for 2025-and-newer models with up to 120% LTV and rates as low as 4.99% APR with autopay, HELOCs up to $125,000 at 7.00% APR, unsecured personal loans at 11.40%-12.40% APR, share/certificate secured loans, and a specialty Musical Instrument and Equipment Loan up to $50,000 secured by UCC filing. The credit union also offers Coogan Accounts, which are blocked trust accounts required under California Family Code Sections 6750-6753 for child performers' earnings, a defensible niche product within the California entertainment ecosystem.

The business model is a not-for-profit financial cooperative: revenue is generated primarily through net interest margin on the loan portfolio (auto, mortgage/HELOC, personal, credit card, secured loans) and through fees on deposits, wires, overdrafts, and stop payments, plus referral income from the LPL Financial investment partnership and Allied Solutions insurance products. Operating cost of funds comes from dividends paid on member share accounts. Distribution combines the three physical branches with a 24/7 digital stack (Home Banking, SAFCU Mobile App, Stellar Teller telephone banking) and national reach via over 25,000 surcharge-free ATMs through the Co-Op Network. Loan applications are processed via the MeridianLink consumer lending portal, and Visa-branded debit and credit cards are issued through a Visa partnership with EMV chip and Verified by Visa zero-liability protection.

Name

SAG-AFTRA Federal Credit Union

Legal name

SAG-AFTRA Federal Credit Union

Website

https://sagaftrafcu.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1962

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

SAG-AFTRA Federal Credit Union is a federally chartered, member-owned credit union founded in 1962 that provides retail banking, lending, and investment services to SAG-AFTRA performers and the broader entertainment industry community through three Los Angeles branches and comprehensive digital and ATM channels.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Retail Banking (Credit Union)

NAICS

Credit Unions (52213), Credit Card Issuing (522210)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Community Credit Unions (Retail/Consumer Focus) (FSABAEAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Credit Cards & Revolving Credit (FSABAAAC)

Keywords

• Retail banking services
• Credit union lending
• Membership banking
• Deposit and loan products
• Performer financial services

Headquarters

HQ city

Burbank

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 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 on Loans: The primary revenue stream is interest income earned on various loan products including vehicle loans, mortgages, HELOCs, personal loans, credit cards, and share/certificate secured loans. Interest rates vary by product type, term, and creditworthiness.
2. Fee Income: Various service fees including overdraft/NSF fees ($25-$30), wire transfer fees ($10-$30), monthly service charges on accounts ($0-$7.95), ATM fees, stop payment fees ($10-$20), and returned item fees. Fee disclosure is available on the website.
3. Investment Services Referral Revenue: Referrals to LPL Financial for investment products and services. Per disclosures, LPL pays the Financial Institution for referrals, creating referral revenue. Services include managed asset plans, tax-advantaged investing, retirement planning, estate planning, and college planning.
4. Insurance Product Referrals: Referrals for insurance products including term life insurance, debt protection, mechanical breakdown protection, and guaranteed asset protection (GAP). Products are offered through trusted partners; SAG-AFTRA FCU earns referral fees.
5. Dividend Expense on Deposits: As a credit union, deposits (shares) are the primary funding source. The cost of funds is the dividends paid to members on savings accounts, checking accounts, money market accounts, and share certificates. Rates vary by account type and balance tier.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

SAG-AFTRA Federal Credit Union is a federally chartered, member-owned financial cooperative that provides retail banking and lending products to SAG-AFTRA performers and the entertainment industry community. Its core offering encompasses deposit accounts (savings, checking, money market, share certificates, IRAs), consumer loans (vehicle, HELOC, personal, musical instrument, share-secured), Visa credit/debit cards, specialty performer products (Coogan accounts, Teen Performer Checking), and digital banking delivered through online, mobile, and telephone channels.

Product overview

SAG-AFTRA Federal Credit Union operates as a member-owned financial cooperative serving the SAG-AFTRA performer community since 1962. The institution offers a comprehensive suite of traditional banking products including savings accounts (Regular Share Savings, Money Market, IRA, and Coogan Accounts for child performers), checking accounts (Performance, eChecking, Senior, and Teen Performer variants), share certificates with competitive fixed rates, and credit products (Visa credit cards, auto loans, HELOCs, personal loans, and musical instrument loans). Digital banking services encompass Home Banking, a mobile app, and telephone banking. Insurance offerings include term life, debt protection, mechanical breakdown, and GAP coverage through referral partnerships. Investment services are provided through LPL Financial. The institution differentiates through performer-specific products like Coogan accounts and musical equipment loans, while maintaining standard credit union offerings across all major banking categories.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Savings Accounts (Regular Share Savings) Primary savings account granting membership ownership through share purchase, with tiered dividends, a $25 minimum to open, and a $250 minimum to earn dividends. Intended for SAG-AFTRA members and the entertainment community.
• Checking Accounts Four checking account variants: Performance Checking (with dividends and $7.95 monthly fee), eChecking (no fee, requires eStatements), Senior Checking (62+ with direct deposit), and Teen Performer Checking (young performers with adult joint owner). Designed for individual members and performers across life stages.
• Share Certificates Term deposit certificates with 12-60 month terms (and 6-month available per disclosures), offering competitive fixed APYs that vary by minimum deposit tier ($1,000 to $50,000) and term length. For members seeking fixed-rate savings.
• Money Market Savings Hybrid savings account with limited check-writing (3 checks per month), $2,500 minimum to open, and tiered dividend rates that can change weekly. Targets members seeking higher-yield savings with limited transactional access.
• Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) Traditional and Roth IRA share savings accounts with $25 minimum deposit, variable dividend rates, and a $25 annual fee. Intended for individual retirement savings.
• Coogan Accounts Blocked trust accounts for child performers under California Family Code Sections 6750-6753, protecting minor performer earnings until adulthood. Targeted at parents/guardians of SAG-AFTRA child performers and minor entertainment workers.
• Trust Accounts Totten Trust and Written Trust accounts for estate planning purposes. For members and families needing fiduciary account structures.
• Visa Credit Cards Visa Classic (up to $15,000 limit, 11.24% APR) and Visa Rewards (13.24% APR) credit cards with low rates and no hidden fees. Revolving consumer credit for individual members.
• New & Used Vehicle Loans Auto loans financing up to 120% LTV on 2025 and newer models, terms up to 84 months, rates as low as 4.99% APR with automatic payment discount. For members purchasing new or used vehicles.
• Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) Variable-rate HELOC up to 80% CLTV with a maximum $125,000 line, 20-year term, and rates starting at 7.00% APR with a 0.25% autopay discount. For homeowner members seeking revolving equity-based credit.
• Personal Loans Unsecured signature loans from $1,500 to $15,000 with terms up to 60 months and rates starting at 11.40% APR with automatic payment discount. For members needing general-purpose credit.
• Musical Instrument & Equipment Loans Secured loans up to $50,000 for musical instruments and equipment, requiring UCC filing as collateral, with rates as low as 5.99% APR. Targeted at SAG-AFTRA musicians and performers needing instrument financing.
• Share & Certificate Secured Loans Loans secured by share deposits or certificate balances, with amounts from $1,500 to $10,000 and rates above the secured account dividend rate. For members leveraging existing deposits for borrowing.
• Home Banking (Online Banking) Comprehensive online banking platform providing 24/7 bill payment, balance checks, eStatements, loan applications, stop payments, fund transfers, secure messaging, account updates, and account alerts. For members seeking self-serve digital banking.
• SAFCU Mobile App Mobile banking app for iOS and Android providing account access, remote check deposits, transfers, debit card controls, and fraud prevention features. For members needing on-the-go account management.
• Stellar Teller Telephone Banking Automated telephone banking system for balance inquiries, fund transfers, and loan payments accessible 24/7. For members preferring voice self-service banking.
• Visa Debit Card EMV chip-enabled debit card accepted at Co-Op Network ATMs and millions of merchants worldwide, protected by Visa's zero liability policy and Verified by Visa. For members' everyday point-of-sale and ATM access.
• Overdraft Protection & Courtesy Pay Optional overdraft programs including automatic transfer from savings ($3 per transfer) and Courtesy Pay for insufficient funds ($25 fee, maximum $525 overdraft, up to 2 fees per day). For members seeking protection against insufficient-funds transactions.
• Wire Transfers Incoming ($10 fee) and outgoing ($30 fee) wire transfer services; international wires must go through U.S. intermediary banks. For members needing electronic funds transfers domestically or internationally.
• Direct Deposit Services Direct deposit of paychecks and government benefits with immediate fund availability (routing number 322076233). For members seeking automated recurring deposits.
• Investment Services (through LPL Financial) Non-commissioned financial consulting and investment products through LPL Financial including managed asset plans, tax-advantaged investing, cash flow analysis, college planning, retirement planning, and estate planning. For members seeking investment and wealth advisory services.
• Term Life Insurance Term life insurance products offered via referral to the Financial Services Group. For members seeking personal life insurance coverage.
• Debt Protection Loan protection insurance covering death, disability, and involuntary unemployment with payment cancellation up to specified limits. For members with outstanding loans seeking credit protection.
• Mechanical Breakdown Protection (MBP) Vehicle protection covering unexpected mechanical failures, offered as an alternative to traditional extended warranties. For members financing vehicles through the credit union.
• Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP) Coverage protecting against vehicle total loss or theft, paying the difference between insurance payout and loan balance plus $1,000 toward a replacement vehicle. For members with vehicle loans seeking gap coverage.

Quantifiable outcome

• Vehicle loan rates as low as 4.99% APR for 2025+ models with autopay discount
• +2 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Co-Op Credit Union NetworkcoreTechnology or IntegrationSAG-AFTRA FCU is a member of the Co-Op Credit Union Network, providing members access to over 25,000 surcharge-free ATMs across the U.S. and Canada. This partnership enables surcharge-free ATM withdrawals at shared network locations including STAR, NYCE, and CO-OP branded ATMs. Some Co-Op ATMs also accept deposits.
• MeridianLinkcoreTechnology or IntegrationSAG-AFTRA FCU uses MeridianLink platform for loan applications. Members apply for loans through the MeridianLink consumer lending portal at app.consumer.meridianlink.com. The partnership enables streamlined online loan applications.
• National Credit Union Administration (NCUA)minorOthersRegulatory partner providing fraud prevention resources, consumer assistance, and deposit insurance (NCUA). SAG-AFTRA FCU links to NCUA's Fraud Prevention Center for member security education. Deposits are federally insured up to $250,000 through NCUA.
• VisacoreTechnology or IntegrationSAG-AFTRA FCU issues Visa-branded debit and credit cards. Cards feature EMV chip technology and are protected by Visa's zero liability policy through Verified by Visa program. Cards accepted at millions of merchant locations worldwide.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• First Entertainment Credit Union: Federally chartered credit union dedicated to the entertainment industry community, offering banking, lending, and investment products tailored to performers, crew, and production professionals. Closest direct analogue to SAG-AFTRA FCU's affinity-based model.
• SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union: Large California-based affinity credit union serving school employees and their families, with comparable member-owned cooperative structure, digital banking capabilities, and member concentration in a defined professional community.
• BECU (Boeing Employees Credit Union): Large affinity-based, member-owned credit union serving a defined employee/membership community with comprehensive banking, lending, and investment services; structurally similar cooperative model.

Regional players

• Kinecta Federal Credit Union: Southern California-headquartered federally chartered credit union with similar asset size and multi-branch footprint, competing for the same LA-area consumer banking relationships.
• Patelco Credit Union: Bay Area-headquartered credit union serving Northern California with consumer deposit and lending products; comparable in charter type, member-owned structure, and California-market orientation.
• Cal Coast Credit Union: Southern California community credit union headquartered in Los Angeles with overlapping geographic footprint and similar member demographics in the LA metro area.

Broad incumbents

• Ent Credit Union: Large Colorado-based credit union offering full-service consumer banking, lending, and wealth management at greater scale; relevant comparable for branch economics, digital capabilities, and member-services benchmarks.
• Alliant Credit Union: Large national online-led credit union serving a broad member base; relevant comparable for digital banking capabilities, rate competitiveness, and cross-sell into investment/insurance products.
• Digital Federal Credit Union (DCU): Digital-first federally chartered credit union serving a nationwide membership; represents the competitive benchmark for online loan origination, mobile banking UX, and ATM-network economics.
• Navy Federal Credit Union: Largest U.S. credit union serving a defined military-affiliated membership with national digital and branch reach; relevant scale benchmark for member-acquisition, deposit-gathering, and digital-product investment cadence.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aftra-sag-federal-credit-union

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 SAG-AFTRA Federal Credit Union