PALM DESERT, Calif.—Credit unions across California, Nevada, and Utah are leading the charge in driving thriving communities through deep commitments to social impact, according to the results of the second annual Social Impact Survey.
The findings were unveiled Tuesday during an onstage presentation at California’s Credit Unions and Nevada’s Credit Unions’ REACH 2025 conference at JW Marriott Desert Springs here.
Survey Highlights Role as Community Champions
Amanda Merz, vice president of education and community impact for California’s Credit Unions and Nevada’s Credit Unions, presented the survey data, emphasizing that credit unions are doing “amazing” work as an industry.
“Our purpose is to showcase how credit unions are driving thriving communities,” Merz said. “You are doing the work every day through your loans to low-income communities, to how you give to different nonprofits, to what you provide to your employees for opportunities to help them be a part of the mission of your credit union.”
The survey, produced by the leagues, gathered responses from over 75 credit unions across the three states, reflecting the voices of institutions serving more than 8.6 million members across urban, suburban, and rural areas.
Key Findings Across Inclusion, Education, and Community
The presentation highlighted credit unions’ success in three core areas: inclusion (removing barriers to access), education (empowering financial well-being), and community (giving that creates lasting impact).
The data show credit unions are leading in removing financial barriers and supporting underserved members:
- California: 65% of participating credit unions serve non-SSN individuals, and 63% offer payday alternatives
- Nevada: 80% offer fee refunds, and 60% provide free credit scores
- Utah: 75% serve non-SSN individuals, and 67% offer free credit scores
Credit unions invest in employees as community champions:
- California: 95% offer a 401(k) match, and 78% offer paid volunteer hours
- Nevada: 80% offer both tuition reimbursement and donation matching
- Utah: 100% offer a 401(k) match, and 64% offer volunteer support
Giving back is not optional — it’s who credit unions are:
- California: 93% participate in charitable giving, and 74% offer scholarships
- Nevada: 100% participate in charitable giving, and 80% offer scholarships
- Utah: 83% participate in giving, and 67% offer scholarships
‘Lives Changed’ Through Leadership
Merz concluded the presentation with a strong message: “These numbers represent lives changed.”
The presentation ended with a call to action for the attendees to continue their leadership and commitment, ensuring that, together, they are strengthening our communities.