SAFE Credit Union merger will remove another headquarters from region

The planned merger between SAFE Credit Union and BECU will lead to the removal of SAFE’s headquarters from the Sacramento region, as the combined entity will be led from BECU’s existing headquarters in Washington state. SAFE Credit Union is currently based in Folsom, California and has played a significant role in the local financial sector, but the merged organization will shift its central operations out of the area.​

Merger Details

• The merger will create the fourth-largest credit union in the United States, serving approximately 1.8 million members across more than 80 locations.​

• The transaction is set to close by early 2027, pending regulatory and member approvals. Until then, both institutions will operate independently.​

• Leadership of the unified credit union will remain with BECU’s president and CEO, with SAFE retaining some board representation and operational leadership in the Sacramento area.​

Impact on Sacramento Region

• SAFE Credit Union’s headquarters relocation means the Sacramento area will lose a major locally based financial headquarters.​

• This continues a trend of regional consolidations and relocations as credit unions nationwide merge to scale operations and broaden service offerings.​

SAFE Credit Union’s Role and Presence

• SAFE currently serves about 245,000 members in Northern California and has 17 regional branches.​

• The merger will allow the combined organization to bring expanded products and resources to SAFE’s existing member base, but operational decisions and strategic direction will primarily come from Washington.​

Overall, this merger reflects an ongoing consolidation in the credit union industry and is expected to have a notable effect on Sacramento’s profile as a regional banking center.​