SAN FRANCISCO — Marking its more than 70 years of service to members, Patelco Credit Union recently hit the $4 billion in assets mark.

The credit union reached the milestone on Nov. 30. In 2006, Patelco grew by $350 million through an array of new products that included high rate money market accounts, "premier" interest checking accounts, and a health savings account, according to Patelco. The credit union serves more than 230,000 members through 37 branches throughout California and via a branch in Illinois. "It's tremendously rewarding to recognize our success with the achievement of this milestone," said Scott Waite, Patelco's senior vice president and chief financial officer. "Having been here personally for each of the billion dollar marks, I like to remember that we got here a loan and a savings account at a time." Considered an industry leader in such areas as check imaging and online insurance, Patelco reached the $1 billion mark in 1995 and is now the 10th credit union in the country to have $4 billion in assets, according to Patelco. Over the past few years, it has introduced a number of products including reverse mortgages, private student loans and its Patelco Points reward program.