OUR HISTORY
    

Kaiperm Diablo FCU was chartered in 1957 by seven Kaiser/PMG employees working at Kaiser Foundation Medical Care Program in Walnut Creek, California as Kaiperm Walnut Creek Federal Credit Union. The initial investment for members joining the credit union back then was $5.00 plus $.25 membership fee ‘(as compared to the present $25.00 initial deposit and $1.00 membership fee).’ Considering the hourly rate pay at the time was maybe a dollar an hour, that was a considerable amount to deposit to an institution that had no walls, no safe –just a charter from the Federal government authorizing it to accept deposits.

The Treasurer at the time would have been the volunteer record keeper, accepting funds, and after the volunteer Credit Committee evaluated loan applications, would have been the person who also disbursed the loans! As it was in most credit unions, records were just kept in someone’s desk drawer! Then, as now, the volunteer Board of Directors would meet each month to discuss the credit union’s progress and plan new services.
      
         
As Contra Costa County grew, Kaiser grew and expanded to new facilities, and the Credit Union also grew. Eligibility for membership was extended first to Martinez, then Antioch, then the Pleasanton facilities. The Credit Union began full-time operation in late 1979.

Services were also added as Congress and NCUA (National Credit Union Administration, our chartering agency) enabled new powers. Credit Unions were able to offer share draft accounts (checking), longer term loans secured by homes, and variable-rate loans.

At one time all services had to be with contact through a live credit union representative. Accounts now can be accessed through remote means such as the audio response system, credit and debit cards, and soon – through this WebSite!

All the while, it’s important to remember the contribution of the volunteer Board and committee members who encouraged the growth of the Credit Union with co-worker and family contact. These ‘backbones’ of the credit union system truly reflect the not-for-profit concept. The credit union exists to provide financial services and better financial position of its members.