Credit/Shutterstock
The $1.6 billion San Mateo Credit Union (SMCU) in Redwood City, Calif., has announced it's in the process of changing its name to Monterra Credit Union; an effort credit union officials said they hope will help reduce any confusion about membership eligibility.
While SMCU has served the area just south of San Francisco since 1952, according to the credit union the name "may have unintentionally led to confusion about who can join." Late last week, SMCU announced the name change to Monterra Credit Union as a way to connect the name of an iconic beach near Half Moon Bay, just a few miles from Redwood City, and the name of the mountain that's one of the highest points in the county.
According to SMCU, the new name reflects the credit union's dedication to clarity and inclusivity while reinforcing its mission to serve a broad range of individuals and families. SMCU currently has more than 93,000 members.
New logo for Monterra Credit Union. Credit/Monterra
SMCU President/CEO Wade Painter said, "This name change represents a new chapter for our credit union, one that underscores our commitment to providing exceptional service and support to our members. Our commitment to providing exceptional financial services remains steadfast, and this name change ensures that everyone knows they are welcome to join our credit union. We want to eliminate any confusion about membership eligibility and be the financial partner for anyone who wishes to join."
While the rebranding process has already started, SMCU officials said they expect the full transition to the new name by February 2024.
"The credit union is excited about the fresh opportunity this rebranding represents and remains committed to providing exceptional financial services while being a welcoming and accessible financial institution for all," SMCU stated on its website. "While the San Mateo Credit Union name is changing, core values remain the same: putting members first, supporting community, and delivering financial solutions that empower members to achieve their goals."
© 2025 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.
Michael Ogden
Editor-in-Chief at CU Times. To connect, email at [email protected]. As Editor-in-Chief of CU Times since 2016, Michael Ogden has led the editorial team in all aspects of content strategy and execution, including the creation of the publication’s exclusive and proprietary research database of the credit union industry’s economic landscape. Under Michael’s leadership, CU Times has successfully shifted to an all-digital editorial product with new focuses on the payments, fraud, lending and regulatory beats. Most recently, he introduced a data-focused editorial product for subscribers that breaks down credit union issues into hard data, allowing for a deeper and more factual narrative for readers. In 2024, he launched the "Shared Accounts With CU Times" podcast, which offers a fresh, inside-the-newsroom perspective through interviews with leaders from the credit union industry and the regulatory world. He dives into pressing credit union issues, while revealing the personalities working behind-the-scenes to push the credit union world forward. His background includes years as a radio and TV anchor/reporter and a public relations and digital/social media manager, where he covered the food and music industries, as well as cooperatives and credit unions. Over the years, he has launched numerous exclusive video and podcast series, including a successful series of interactive backstage interviews with musicians at music festivals, showcasing his social media and live streaming production skills.
