Wednesday, July 1, 2026

The SAFE Mega-Me Merger: Sacramento Gets SAC-ked?

 

       SAFE the "disappearing" credit union! **

Sample Ballot for SAFE Credit Union Merger Proposal

Name of SAFE Member:__________     Account Number:___________

Please read the Notice of Special Meeting for the members of SAFE Credit Union. The SAFE Board has tried to let you know what you need to know, when you needed to know it. [link]. You know, we know, who knows best!

* By California law, this plan of merger must be approved by a majority of all SAFE members.

* But your vote really may not matter much, since by California law, a governmental override might be sought by the SAFE Board if less than a majority of you approve. 

Mark your choice [only], sign and submit this ballot: 

[ ] Approve the proposed merger with Boeing Employees Credit Union as unanimously endorsed by the SAFE Board of Directors.  The merger requires the transfer of all SAFE CU deposits, loans, and $400+ million of your ownership equity to BECU. Corporate control and regulatory supervision will also be moved from California to Washington State. SAFE Credit Union will disappear.  Or...

[ ] Alternative recommendation for SAFE members: Maintain the current California state-charter for at least ten years, with headquarters remaining in the Sacramento area; retain current service facilities, employee staffing levels, and the Sacramento-based leadership structure for at least 5 years; fund a new share account at BECU for up to 10,000 existing SAFE members, who require BECU service; and distribute a "Lets Stay Home Special Dividend" of $150 to each of the 245,000 SAFE members of record as of 12/31/2025. Or...

[ ] Seek merger with our fellow Californians to the south in San Diego!

[ ] Do not approve the proposed merger.

Signed:___________ Member's Name:_________ Date:_____

  Will DFPI approve a disappearing act... or suggest the Board reconsider or resign?

✷✷ California law: "A Plan of Merger must be approved by a majority of all the members of a disappearing credit union, by vote or written consent. " [link] 

Tuesday, June 30, 2026

Cal Coast And San Diego County Complete Merger Discussions!

    Cal Coast tried...      ... "jumping the shark"?

  [link]  "SAN DIEGO — California Coast Credit Union and San Diego County Credit Union have formally abandoned their planned merger, ending a year-long legal battle. The litigation led to numerous accusations from each side alleging numerous issues. Despite all that, Cal Coast CU CEO Todd Lane told the CU Daily there was “no bad blood”!"

An embarrassing SNAFU on the California merger scene, everyone gets a black eye! But is there an opportunity here for lemonade from a raw lemon?

San Diego County CU has $10 billion in assets and 44 branches in Southern California. An extremely efficiently managed CU with very high capital, low operating costs, delinquency/charge-offs minimal, and a strong reputation for service. What's not to like? 

✅ Lets take a look at SDCC as a merger option for SAFE, compared to you know who: 

 ✔ Capital

SAFE  Net Worth     2020 8.57%      2025 10.37%

BECU  Net Worth     2020 10.11%    2025 12.39% 

SDCC   Net Worth    2020 15.18%    2025 20.1%!

Operating Costs 

SAFE   Net OPEX      2020 2.72%     2025 2.56%     

BECU   Net OPEX     2020 2.30%    2025 3.33%  

SDCC   Net OPEX:    2020 1.70%    2025 1.84% !

✔ So, who would you choose if you were a SAFE member-owner? Stay home in California as a $14 billion home-grown, home-owned, locally-controlled credit union, while gaining $1.5 billion in capital resources and a mentor who knows how to manage costs; or... you know who?

😎 And really, wouldn't you rather have free access to branches and ATMs in San Diego, Temecula, Escondido, Carlsbad, Mission Viejo, Yorba Linda, Chula Vista, San Ysidro, La Mesa, Cajon, Santee, Murrieta, Vista, Oceanside, Solano Beach... rather than Tukwila and Tacoma?

  Could the SAFE Board be riding the wrong horse?