A salute to Redwood Credit Union at 75

75 YEARS AND GROWING | REDWOOD CREDIT UNION

RCU celebrates 75 years of financial management, team building and community impact in the North Bay Redwood Credit Union, at your service

2 A message from Brett Martinez 3 The credit union difference 4 Financial literacy and fraud prevention 6 RCU’s community impact 8 Company culture

Redwood Credit Union President & CEO Brett Martinez speaks to team members at 2024’s Day of Inspiration.

Redwood Credit Union 2025

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75 YEARS AND GROWING | REDWOOD CREDIT UNION

75 years and growing A message from Brett Martinez, president & CEO of Redwood Credit Union

I ’m excited to share that this year marks Redwood Credit Union’s 75th anniversary! We’ve been honored to provide affordable financial services and support to our communities for three-quarters of a century, and we will continue to do so for decades to come. As we celebrate this exciting milestone, it’s also an opportunity to reflect on what makes RCU special.

ensure current and future generations are strong, resilient and continue to thrive. From our humble beginnings with seven founding members in 1950, we’ve grown to serve nearly half a million members throughout the North Bay and San Francisco. Anyone who lives, works or owns a business in our eight local counties can bank with us, and so can relatives of current RCU members! In addition to full-service banking, RCU offers a variety of other services to enhance your financial well-being, including free financial coaching, wealth management, a comprehensive insurance agency and an auto dealership, just to name a few. While much has changed over the years, one thing remains the same: Our team loves finding the best, most personalized options to help you succeed. In this special section,

RCU is strong, secure and built for

the future. As a not-for-profit cooperative, we are 100% owned by our members and governed by a board of directors elected by our members. We operate solely to elevate the financial well- being of our members and communities, one person at a time. Unlike banks, we are not subject to pressures from investors or stockholders to grow large profits or to concentrate on any one

we’ll share some of RCU’s key historical events, take a look into our unique culture, examine the credit union difference, tell stories about our social impact in the community, and highlight our deep commitment to financial education. Please join us as we celebrate 75 years of service and look forward to another 75 years and beyond! n

industry or segment, which makes us resilient against economic uncertainty and change. Commitment to our community is a key part of our mission, and we are passionate about advancing meaningful and sustainable change to

Redwood Credit Union holds an annual event celebrating team members with at least five years of service. [Photo by Will Bucquoy]

Timeline

2005: RCU Auto Services location opens.

1967: Redwood Credit Union's first building on Administration Drive in Santa Rosa

1982: RCU’s first ATM is celebrated.

1999: RCU introduces online banking and bill pay.

1993: First Marin County branch opens in San Rafael.

2000: San Francisco branch opens.

2001: RCU expands services to include insurance, auto brokering and wealth management.

1950: Seven employees of the County of Sonoma form Sonoma County Employees Credit Union (SCECU).

1982: Credit union changes its name to Redwood Credit

1990: RCU expands to Mendocino

Union (RCU) to reflect growth.

County with a Ukiah branch.

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75 YEARS AND GROWING | REDWOOD CREDIT UNION

The credit union difference How these local financial cooperatives differ from traditional banks

R edwood Credit Union will celebrate its 75th anniversary this year. It was in 1950 when a handful of county employees formed Sonoma County Employees Credit Union, the forerunner to RCU, which has become one of the largest local financial institutions, now serving nearly half a million people. Yet even after having grown into one of the most well-known businesses in the North Bay, many unfamiliar with its services still ask: How is a credit union different from a traditional bank? While credit unions offer similar services as banks, their member-driven cooperative model sets them apart and allows revenue to be reinvested into the credit union, to the benefit of its membership. A credit union’s “field of membership” can be described as the communities it is chartered to serve, Mishel Kaufman, chief operating and risk officer at RCU, explains. Some credit unions serve specific groups or industries—like the military or farmers—while others, like RCU, are geographically based, serving a certain region. RCU’s membership extends from nearby Sonoma, Marin and Napa all the way to San Francisco, Mendocino, Lake, Contra Costa, and Solano counties. It’s easy to join, and anyone who lives, works, or owns a business in any of the above-mentioned counties can become a member and bank with RCU. Immediate family of current RCU members can also join. It’s also important to note that credit unions are federally insured to the same levels as banks, only the insurance is provided through the NCUA, which is the credit union industry equivalent to the FDIC for banks. Credit unions are not-for-profit, meaning they do not distribute profits to private stakeholders, whereas traditional banks are for-profit— owned by private investors, governed by a board of directors chosen by stockholders. At credit unions, the organization’s income is not dispersed to any shareholders, but instead invested back to its members and into the organization. Or, as Kaufman puts it, “[a credit union’s] primary focus is serving our members' financial needs.” “Instead of being driven by profits and shareholders, credit unions are entirely owned and governed by our members, and all profits are returned to the membership through better rates, lower and fewer fees, and By Ana Fingerson

expanded services and locations,” she explains. Additional ways earnings are invested back to the membership include developing tools and services that make managing money easier and more convenient—such as enhancements to digital banking, additional ATMs, credit card rewards, and services they offer such as insurance, wealth management and even an auto dealership, RCU Auto Services. Kaufman says RCU is “one of only a few” financial institutions that offers such services like its in-house insurance agency, full-service business banking, and a licensed auto dealership. “People can take care of all their financial business in one place [and] save money,” she says. “Our member-owned, not-for-profit structure truly sets us apart at a time when people are looking for a safe, secure and trusted financial institution,” says Kaufman. With $9.1 billion in assets, RCU is the largest credit union in the North Bay—a position the credit union has achieved, says Kaufman, by adhering to a set of values that have built reliability and trust with its members. “The credit union conducts regular membership surveys to gauge quality of service and find areas for improvement,” Kaufman says. Recurring themes from the surveys include feeling valued, having a sense of community, and easy and personalized banking experiences. “Members often mention their appreciation for how a credit union is different than a traditional or online bank and how their contributions are put back into the organization and our communities for their benefit instead of stockholders,” adds Kaufman. “They also appreciate how we take the time to listen, show them we care, and help them to succeed.” The credit union takes particular pride with survey responses that reflect a feeling from members of being valued—a sense of being more like a person than a statistic, at least compared to national or online financial institutions that don’t have a local connection to the community. The ability to call and speak with an RCU team member who’s local just like the member is important because products and services are tailored to each member’s needs, allowing them to be handled faster and with the confidence their money is secure in their local community. Kaufman describes this as “the RCU difference.” n

2024: RCU named to list of America's Best Credit Unions for 2024 and 2025.

2017: RCUCF raises $32 million for North Bay fire relief.

2007: RCU moves to its new administrative offices.

2022: Napa campus with new branch opens on Devlin Road.

2025: RCU celebrates 75th

2004: Brett Martinez named President & Chief Executive Officer. RCU reaches $1 billion in assets.

2024: RCU named to Newsweek's list of America's Best Credit Unions for 2024 & 2025.

2020: Lake County branch opens.

2007: RCU completes new Administrative Offices at 3033

2017: RCU Community Fund (RCUCF) raises $32 million for North Bay fire relief.

anniversary with 485,000 members, 950 team members, and $9.1 billion in assets.

Cleveland Avenue in Santa Rosa. First Napa branch opens.

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75 YEARS AND GROWING | REDWOOD CREDIT UNION

Smart money RCU is committed to financial literacy and fraud prevention

By Janet Perry

F rom empowering youth to protecting against fraud, the financial well-being of its members and the community is at the heart of Redwood Credit Union’s mission and purpose. Teaching teens about money In 2013, Redwood Credit Union began presenting in high schools its Bite of Reality program, a workshop designed to immerse students in personal finance. The program helps equip young people with the knowledge and tools they need to thrive financially, setting them up for success in the future.

they’ve been working so hard for,” he says. “But it also helps us build stronger communities when the people living in them are financially knowledgeable.” Financial coaches for the community Redwood Credit Union focuses on elevating the financial well- being of community members of all ages. With certified financial coaches available to members and non-members, this free service provides personalized help toward a healthy financial

future. Anyone can book convenient in-person or virtual appointments with coaches and learn more about budgeting, saving, building credit, debt repayment and more. In addition, RCU offers financial education seminars through nonprofit partnerships. Fighting fraud Another part of Redwood Credit Union’s outreach focuses on protecting the finances of its members and the broader community. In addition to a comprehensive fraud education center on their website, they have multiple systems in place to protect members, monitor for potential fraud, and notify members of unusual account activity. “We have an amazing fraud team which works closely with our members to help in every way we can,” Martin says. The dreaded fraud schemes and

Matt Martin, Redwood Credit Union’s senior vice president of community and government relations, describes the program as an eye- opening glimpse into what “adulting” is like. “While it’s a fun, interactive activity, students walk away with a reality check on how much it costs to have a car, a house and a family,” says Martin. Using a mobile app, students are assigned an occupation, credit score, dependents, credit card debt and other various obligations. The simulation features stations staffed by volunteer “vendors,” who sell such products as housing, transportation, childcare, food,

clothes, entertainment, even makeup and skin care. The students purchase items from every station based on their salary profiles. “They learn that if a boat or an extravagant vacation is something they really want, they’ll have to make cuts in other places, like brewing coffee at home and skipping the daily coffee run,” explains Martin. Adds Martin: “It’s also fun to see many students gain new appreciation for their parents, once they more clearly see the sacrifices that have been made for them.” Martin points out that no one is born with the financial knowledge to reach one’s goals, but we benefit from learning from those who have that experience. Martin says it’s gratifying to be part of the RCU team focused on teaching people how to manage their money. “It is so satisfying to see people be able to purchase the car or the house

Redwood Credit Union offers Bite of Reality workshops created for high school students designed to immerse them in personal finance, including this one at Elsie Allen High School. Since the program started, RCU has reached nearly 21,500 individuals. [Photo courtesy Redwood Credit Union]

scams seem to be growing in number. Fortunately for its members, RCU has a Zero Liability Guarantee. When members use their digital services or credit and debit cards, they will not be held responsible for removal of any funds by someone they haven’t authorized. “The best way to avoid becoming the victim of a scam is to be aware of the signs and know how they work,” Martin says. “We offer tips on our website security center, in our newsletters, and on our social media channels to help people spot a scam early and not fall for it.” Martin says the best way to protect your accounts is by

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75 YEARS AND GROWING | REDWOOD CREDIT UNION

“It’s also fun to see many students gain new appreciation for their parents, once they more clearly see the sacrifices that have been made for them.” —Matt Martin, senior vice president of community and government relations

keeping your username, passwords, accounts numbers, and personal identification numbers (PINs) confidential and never sharing that information with anyone. They also recommend keeping your computer and mobile devices up to date with virus protection software. “We suggest you log out of your account after each use when using digital banking, regularly monitor and reconcile account transactions, and report any unfamiliar, suspicious, or unauthorized account activity to RCU immediately.” Although all age groups

are at risk of being targeted for fraud in different ways, Martin says baby boomers are probably at highest risk because many of them have retirement savings. He says they are often targeted via computer tech support or Facebook scams. That said, he notes a surprising number of young people are targeted through social media and approached for quick money- making schemes. Martin says all age groups can be seduced by money-making opportunities that are too good to be true. “Our best advice is to pause if it

A Maria Carillo High School student is assigned a career as ‘stock broker’ with various personal obligations as part of an RCU Bite of Reality workshop in 2024. [Photo courtesy Redwood Credit Union]

your financial institution. We are well-trained on fraud and scam scenarios and are here to help.” Martin says that Redwood Credit Union’s purpose is to inspire hope and elevate the financial well-being of their communities, one person at a time, through good times and bad. “This focus is at the heart of everything we do,” he says. “Whether it's through financial education programs, fraud prevention efforts, or personalized member support, we strive to make a positive difference in the lives of those we serve,” he says. “We love helping people achieve their goals and dreams, and it's incredibly satisfying to see the tangible results of our efforts in the community.” He says his time at Redwood has reinforced his belief in the importance of financial education. “It's not just about numbers,” he says. “It’s about helping

feels too good to be true or if you’re being threatened into taking action. Take a moment and reflect on what you’re being asked to do,” Martin says. “Fraudsters will do everything to keep their victims on the line because they don’t want them to think or reach out for help.” A “big red flag,” he says, is if someone is telling you not to contact your financial institution or is coaching you what to tell them. “Don’t be afraid to talk honestly to

people achieve their dreams and building stronger, more resilient communities.” n

Matt Martin, SVP community and government relations

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75 YEARS AND GROWING | REDWOOD CREDIT UNION

The heart of the matter A look at Redwood Credit Union’s social impact in the community

I n October of 2023, Redwood Credit Union’s entire team of Santa Rosa and built 418 bicycles to donate to local children. This is just one of many of the good deeds being done by RCU employees. The best part: The recipients are not the only ones benefitting. “These events not only benefit our community, but they also inspire our team members—seeing something you built with your own hands that brings joy and better health to a child is an incredibly rewarding experience,” Mishel Kaufman says. more than 800 people met at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Kaufman is RCU’s chief operating and risk officer and president of the Redwood Credit Union Community Fund (RCUCF), the organization’s 501(c)(3). As president of the fund, Kaufman can attest to the company’s commitment to its community. “I’ve witnessed first-hand the devastation of those impacted by By Janet Perry

Redwood Credit Union team members build bikes at RCU’s Day of Impact in 2023 at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds. Eleven of RCU’s nonprofit partners selected children throughout the North Bay and San Fran- cisco who really needed the bikes. [Photo by Will Bucquoy]

was founded on the concept of people helping people. “It’s always been part of who we are as an organization,” she says. “Our mission is to passionately serve the best interests of our members, team members, and communities. Over the years that commitment has continued to grow stronger.” Last year the credit union participated in 224 events with 5,739 volunteer hours and RCU representatives served on the boards of more than 40 nonprofits and other community groups. They provided more than $4 million in support through sponsorships, fundraising and support to local nonprofit agencies. They reached more than 4,000 people through financial education programming, including programs for youth. Kaufman says the company regularly surveys its now 950 employees and consistently gets feedback about how proud they are of their hands-on volunteer work and the ways the company shows up for the community in times of need. RCU partners with more than 70 organizations that build inclusive communities and foster positive societal change. “All of these partnerships help advance meaningful and sustained change that contributes to a local economy that is strong, prosperous and innovative,” Kaufman says. “Our Celebrate Community and Giving Marin partnerships

natural disaster, and it has been both gratifying and humbling to help connect survivors to the resources they need to get back on their feet,” Kaufman says. After the Boyles Fire in September in Lake County, through a partnership with state Sen. Mike McGuire’s office and the Konocti Unified School District, RCU was able to hand out gift cards to families, individuals, and schoolchildren who’d lost their homes, Kaufman says. “Being there when our communities need us most is part of RCU’s mission, and I’m so honored to be able to be part of that.” A team-focused culture and commitment to social responsibility are ingrained in the day-to-day work at RCU, she

says. “Working for a mission- driven organization, I get to come to work every day and help members, team members, and the communities we serve. It doesn’t get much better than that.” Kaufman notes that RCU

Mishel Kaufman, chief operating and risk officer

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“There’s no greater gift than being able to make a measurable and often lasting difference in someone’s life.” —Mishel Kaufman, RCU’s chief operating and risk officer and president of the Redwood Credit Union Community Fund.

Kindness program where employees have been able to pay for a stranger’s gas, lunch, groceries, even their prescriptions. “They’re small gestures that can make someone’s day,” Kaufman says. “Many of our team members describe experiencing a rush of joy in making that connection.” Each year RCU also honors a few volunteers who go above and beyond with the Community Heart and Community Pulse awards. “But really, there are so many at RCU who have made it their mission to give back to our communities,” Kaufman says. “Volunteering is all about building relationships—with each other, with the community—and personal development. It’s the heart of what we do here at RCU.” n

Hunter Pence’s Healthy Planet Project and RCU teamed up in August 2024, to beautify a San Francisco school in need of repairs. [Photo courtesy Redwood Credit Union]

allow us to pool our contributions with other prominent local companies to make a larger community impact than any one of us could have done individually.” RCU supports local chambers of commerce and the North Bay Leadership Council. “We’re able to help build an inclusive workforce, provide thought leadership and foster relationships with other local organizations, as well as support and elevate local businesses,” Kaufman says. In 2015, RCU established the nonprofit Redwood Credit Union Community Fund. RCUCF helps empower local communities through financial education, disaster relief, housing and community wellness initiatives. They have raised and distributed close to $38 million, with 100% of donations going directly to the community, free of any overhead costs.

RCUCF has increased its impact through investments to expand much- needed community resources and capacity, such as donating $250,000 for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma- Marin Roseland Community Clubhouse for youth and provided $250,000 in support to Ceres Community Project, which home-delivers meals to community members with health challenges. The Community Fund also has a holiday mortgage program that helps a handful of members who are struggling by making their mortgage payment during the holidays. “We’ve distributed over $40,000 to date,” Kaufman says. “Making those phone calls every year is heartwarming. Truly, there’s no greater gift than being able to make a measurable and often lasting difference in someone’s life.” Perhaps one of the sweetest ways the company helps in giving to others is through its Random Acts of

Redwood Credit Union team members volunteer regularly at the Redwood Empire Food Bank. [Photo courtesy Redwood Credit Union]

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75 YEARS AND GROWING | REDWOOD CREDIT UNION

Company culture To best serve members, RCU believes in strong support for its team

S ince its inception in 1950, Redwood Credit Union has grown to not only become the largest credit union in the North Bay but also the eighth largest in the state, as well as the largest financial institution based in the North Bay. Serving more than 485,000 members is no small feat, which is why along with commemorating 75 years in business this year, RCU is also celebrating its more than 950 employees who dedicate so much of their time to the company. And the credit union makes it a priority to show appreciation for employees. “We focus on creating a fun environment where team members feel valued, engaged, challenged and supported,” says Kashi Moore- Stallworth, senior vice president of people at RCU. RCU’s emphasis on teamwork is core to its strong culture, and supporting its team is part of its core mission. Notably, RCU has been recognized as a Best Place to Work in the North Bay for the past 19 years—and it’s this award that RCU president and CEO Brett Martinez says makes him most proud. According to Moore-Stallworth, the credit union offers team members a plethora of benefits including: a tuition-reimbursement program, paid time off, hybrid work schedules, short- and long-term incentives, loan and product discounts, and more. The company also recognizes the importance of helping team members in their personal and professional growth. “We know that taking care of our team members is essential for them to be able to take good care of our credit union members,” says Kristen Mahlmann, chief financial officer. “So this will always be a focus for us as we continue to strive to inspire well-being throughout the communities we serve.” RCU has a culture and wellness program for its employees that offers education on celebrating allyship and belonging, as well as improving physical and mental well-being, among other topics. The company also asks team members to participate in an independently administered employee-engagement survey, giving insight to RCU leadership as to how the company is serving employees as an organization. “While our scores are consistently in the high 90s, we continually use the feedback we receive to work together with our teams on opportunities to further enhance engagement and strengthen our culture,” says Moore-Stallworth. Part of creating an environment in which employees feel valued is making sure to celebrate team-member achievements and career By Ana Fingerson

Halloween celebrations are legendary.” But it’s more than just cool costumes and avocados, she says. The company also prioritizes communication and connection, with the goal of creating a culture of collaboration and teamwork across the workforce. The Redwood Credit Union Band performs at Redwood Credit Union’s biannual Day of Inspiration, held in October 2024 at the Luther Burbank Center for the Arts. [Photo by Will Bucquoy]

“We often say the most important decision we make is who we hire,” says Mahlmann. “We attribute our overall success to having the right people in place, with great training and utilizing our sophisticated systems.” She says by focusing long term on both team members and credit union members, RCU has built a solid foundation to serve its communities well into the future. To that end, encouraging an open dialogue is crucial in ensuring employee ideas and suggestions are communicated to leadership, says Mahlmann. One chief component is the establishment of an advisory committee of non-management staff from across the organization which meets monthly

Kristen Mahlmann, chief financial officer

with president and CEO Brett Martinez to share input and effect change. Other avenues for communication include daily team huddles, regularly scheduled coffee chats where team members have an open forum to ask questions to Martinez and the executive team, monthly all-team meetings, and a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee, which provides helpful resources and learning opportunities and fosters open dialogue to empower employees around DEI topics. “With an emphasis on service standards such as ‘doing the right thing’ and ‘demonstrating trust and respect,’ RCU fosters a supportive workplace with diverse viewpoints, which contributes to a fulfilling work environment for our team,” says Moore-Stallworth. “Which translates to more positive experiences for our members.” n

development. For instance, RCU holds an annual event for team members who reach the milestone of five years or more working with the company. Throughout the year they also honor employees of the month, hold team-member-appreciation days, host recognition events for top performers, and more. “We also have a lot of fun at our holiday parties, team-building activities and potlucks,” says Moore-Stallworth, who highlighted the Cinco de Mayo “Guac-Off” as a particularly notable event. Adds Moore-Stallworth: “And our

Kashi Moore-Stallworth, SVP people

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