Diana Dykstra still remembers her first day at The Golden 1 Credit Union. The former Bank of America employeewas hired in August 1982, the very day California's second-largestcredit union reached $200 million in assets.

“I started as a part-time loan clerk,” said Dykstra, nowpresident/CEO of the California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues. “Ileft in 1997 as senior vice president of lending, collections,marketing and statewide services.”

Dykstra credits her career trajectory to lessons learned at theGolden 1, which turned 80 last month. Second in assets only to the$9.8 billion SchoolsFirst Credit Union in Santa Ana, The Golden 1 relies onboth size and strategy in supporting its role as one ofCalifornia's top credit unions, according to Donna Bland, the Golden 1's president/CEO.

“We're here to provide our members with the products, servicesand advice they need to get where they want to go in life,” saidBland. “We see members as the individuals they are and we're hereto help.”

The credit union backs its member commitment with a wide rangeof products and services, as well as an emphasis on member serviceitself. With more than 1,300 employees serving 640,000members from 80 branches – more than any other credit union inCalifornia – the $8.2 billion Golden 1 has played a formidable rolein its members' financial lives, something that stands in markedcontrast to its modest beginnings.

The credit union was established on Aug. 5, 1933, in the heartof the Great Depression. Chartered by 11 state employees asCalifornia State Employees Credit Union #1, the institution was thefirst to provide financial services to state workers and theirfamilies. By 1934, the credit union had reached 131 members and by1950, membership topped 4,565.

Growth continued, with assets reaching the $1 million mark in1952 and topping $100 million by 1977. That same year the creditunion changed its name to The Golden 1 to better reflect a quicklydiversifying membership.

Technology began playing a role in the 1980s with theinstallation of ATMs. That trend continues to the present day, mostrecently with the expansion to apps for Apple and Android devicesand Popmoney applications for person-to-person payments. Currently,44% of our 640,000 members use these online and mobile servicesregularly, Bland said.

The credit union has also embraced a variety of scholarship andeducational grant programs, which this year will provide in excessof $600,000 to students at various levels. One of The Golden 1'smost notable achievements, however, came several years ago when ithelped financially support the State of California during difficultfinancial times.

The Golden 1 was one of the first financial institutions to cometo the aid of the state when it needed temporary funding to coveroperating expenses during times of budget impasse in 2008 and2009. Through the purchase of Revenue Anticipation Notes, thecredit union helped stabilize the government during an economicallydifficult time, according to Bland.