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About

Upward Credit Union is dedicated to empowering members with personalized banking while celebrating their financial and personal successes. Learn more about our journey, leadership and story below.
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Who We Are

Founded in 1956, Upward Credit Union is staying true to its roots. Helping members change their lives financially while our healthcare members change lives physically. All our members enjoy a deeply rewarding, personalized approach to banking that is both high-tech and high-touch. We strive to make a lasting impacts on our member, and we help celebrate their accomplishments and achievements. Because as a member-owned cooperative, your success is our success. We can’t wait to see what the next years have in store for Upward Credit Union. Let’s Soar Upward together.

1956

Peninsula Hospital Credit Union was established by the employees of Peninsula Hospital.

1963

Mills Memorial Hospital Federal Credit Union was established by the employees of Mills Memorial Hospital. The two credit unions operated independently, serving healthcare employees and their families.

1985

The two hospitals merged, and it made sense for the credit unions to merge, and United Health Credit Union was created as a result of the merger. United Health Credit Union focused on serving the Mills-Peninsula healthcare community.

2002

United Health Credit Union increased its presence to include the city of Burlingame, and became more involved with the community, supporting it any way the Credit Union could.

2014

United Health Credit Union had the opportunity to serve the employees of Sequoia Hospital through a merger with Sequoia Hospital Employees’ Federal Credit Union.

2016

The Board of Directors approved for the credit union to apply to their state regulator to serve San Mateo County, with the emphasis to be on healthcare providers. It was also decided that with this new focus and an insurance company now in the state with a similar name, a name change was in order.

2017

United Health Credit Union officially became Upward Credit Union. The mission has been and always will be to be the best financial health provider for the members and improve their financial well-being, allowing them to soar Upward. It also allowed for the continuation of the beloved logo representing the members coming together, with a slight modification to represent the future.

Our Mission

To be our members’ primary financial institution by offering services that meet their needs in a friendly, professional manner.

CEO of Upward CU, Jason Mertz-Prickett, standing in front of room presenting PowerPoint.
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Core Values & Commitment

  • Integrity – we will conduct business in a fair and honest manner with everyone.
  • Proactive – we are proactive to the challenges of the future with a commitment to success.
  • Building Relationships – we promise to build and maintain a bond with members, peers and the community.
  • Committed to Success – Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
  • People Helping People – Upward Credit Union commits itself to people helping people.

Everyone Is Welcome

At Upward Credit Union, we celebrate diversity and are committed to preserving our culture of diversity, equity and inclusion in all that we do. From serving members of different backgrounds, sexual orientations, and physical and mental capabilities, to treating everyone fairly and being impartial, this is our commitment to both our members and staff. Everyone has a place at Upward.

To us, DEI is more than an acronym, it is something we have strived for and worked hard to generate a culture of inclusivity within the credit union. That is why we are thrilled to announce our Board Resolution and commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Upward Credit Union.

  • Diversity – The practice or quality of including or involving people from a range of different social and ethnic backgrounds and of different genders, sexual orientations, physical or mental capabilities etc.
  • Equity – The quality of being fair and impartial
  • Inclusion – The practice or policy of providing equal access to opportunities and resources for people who might otherwise be excluded or marginalized, such as those who have physical or mental disabilities and members of other minority groups.
Diversity and Inclusion Statement
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The CU Difference

Learn what makes a credit union different, what it offers and how Upward Credit Union stands out from the rest.

So, what is a credit union?

A credit union is a not-for-profit, cooperative financial institution owned and run by its members.

Why Upward Credit Union?

Well, Upward Credit Union is a full-service financial institution, offering a wide variety of products and services to its members; often with lower rates on loans, higher yields on savings and certificates, and many low or no-fee services, all while giving you the conveniences you have come to expect from your financial institution.

How are you able to offer better rates and lower fees?

The process is simple. Members pool their funds together by making deposits into various accounts. This pool of funds is used to make loans to other members for new cars, homes, credit cards, or even vacations. The income generated from these loans is used to cover the credit union’s operating expenses and reserve requirements, with the remaining funds returned to the depositing members as dividends, lower rates, and new products and services.

What do you mean by being a “member” of Upward Credit Union?

Credit unions are established to serve a group of people who are united by a common bond, such as living in a specific community or working for the same employer. As a member and owner of Upward CU, you have a say in how the credit union operates. You are able to vote in a democratic election of the Credit Union’s officials, or even run for a vacant position. Every member has an equal vote in the elections, regardless of the number of deposits or services held with the credit union. One member, one vote!

And what do the officials do?

Credit Union officials are comprised of our Board of Directors and Committee members. All officials volunteer their time, knowledge, and experience to direct the Credit Union while working closely with management. These volunteers are the member’s voice and act on behalf of the entire membership. Attending regular meetings, they ensure that the credit union is operating soundly, safely, and with the member’s best interest in the forefront.

Well, everything sounds nice, but are credit unions safe?

Credit unions are closely regulated on the federal and state level to ensure the safety and soundness. Many credit unions, like Upward Credit Union, are insured by the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund (NCUSIF), which is administered by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government.

Leadership

Meet the people that make it happen at Upward Credit Union. Feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions and we will be in touch as soon as possible.
Contact Us Today
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Contact Upward

Main Phone

(650) 231-1300

Toll Free

(888) 481-8428

Address

1860 El Camino Real, Suite 100
Burlingame, CA 94010

Routing Number

321171744

NMLS 410278

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Diversity and Inclusion Statement

WHEREAS The Board of Directors of Upward Credit Union support diversity, equity, and inclusion as a shared credit union cooperative principle, and recognizes that Upward Credit Union has a responsibility to take a leading role in building and serving more diverse, equitable and inclusive communities and membership base; and

RESOLVED, Upward Credit Union is committed to building a workforce and recruiting volunteers, that hold diversity, equity, and inclusion as core values and represent the membership base; and

RESOLVED, it is the position of the Board of Directors that oppression, racism, sexism, and homophobia are just some of the impediments that face the employees and members, and every effort must be taken to create real, meaningful, transformative, and sustainable change; and

FURTHER RESOLVED, that Management of Upward Credit Union is hereby authorized to take any additional administrative actions necessary and appropriate to facilitate and implement the above resolutions consistent with the goals and objectives of the Board and create a safe and welcoming place for employees and members, and on a periodic basis will report on the efforts relating to the above.

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