California Coast Credit Union and San Diego County Credit Union – both based in San Diego – have announced plans to merge and form one of the largest credit unions in California.

If approved, the $13.5 billion-asset company would be larger than every California-based credit union except $32 billion-asset SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, $19.6 billion-asset Golden 1 Credit Union and $17.4 billion-asset First Technology Federal Credit Union.

In September, the $12 billion-asset Digital Federal Credit Union and First Tech Fed revealed plans to combine in a deal that is believed to be the largest credit union merger ever announced.

In a press release Friday, Cal Coast and $9.2 billion-asset SDCCU called their deal “a move that would change the financial landscape of Southern California.”

“Together, we can offer members, employees, and the communities we serve access through expanded branches and ATMs, plus a stronger, more resilient organization that is ready and able to embrace the evolving financial services landscape,” said Teresa Campbell, president and CEO of the $9.2 billion-asset SDCCU.

The combined credit union will have 65 branches, and more than 1,400 employees serving members in Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties.

The organization will become the 16th largest credit union in the U.S.

The expected legal date of merger is early 2026, with full systems integration extending into 2027.

The combined organization will retain the California Coast Credit Union name. Cal Coast President and CEO Todd Lane will hold the same titles with the new company concurrent with Teresa Campbell’s retirement.

“Together, our joint strengths position us to achieve greater success and provide even greater opportunity to expand our community impact. Additionally, no jobs will be lost as a result of the merger as both organizations are committed to retaining talent and providing opportunity for growth,” Lane said.

SDCCU has nearly 428,000 members and earned roughly $65.8 million in 2024, a 26% decrease compared to a year earlier, according to call report data from the National Credit Union Administration.

For the 207,000-member California Coast, 2024 earnings totaled $21.8 million, a 23% decrease.

“This merger creates a partnership between two large service-oriented and financially strong credit unions with deep, rich histories throughout Southern California.”

 – Teresa Campbell
President and CEO
SDCCU