Anniversaries are occasions to celebrate and reflect on accomplishments over decades past. 2010 will be the 70th Anniversary of North Island Credit Union: 70 years of encouraging thrift, offering credit for worthy purposes, and providing other financial products that meet the needs of our member-owners.
 
Naval Air Station San Diego Federal Credit Union was formed on July 25, 1940, to provide credit union services to civil service personnel on North Island Naval Air Station, and their families. Entrance to the base, and in turn to the credit union branch that started as a temporary trailer near our current location at Building 318, was via a causeway built along what is now known as McCain Blvd. (The North and South Coronado Islands were separated by the Spanish Bight until the early 1940s.) During this time, North Island was a major U.S. base supporting operating forces in the Pacific-  including over a dozen aircraft carriers, the Army, Marines, U.S. Coast Guard, and Seabees. During World War II, the base operated around the clock. The city of Coronado became home to the aircraft repair and overhaul facility workers, to others who supported Navy operations, and to their families.

Over our 70 years, the member-owners of North Island Credit Union have been Department of War, and then Defense Department, employees; Navy personnel; defense contractor employees; others in the armed services; family members, and in recent years, people throughout San Diego County. In fact, today's 94,515 members are in all 50 states, and in many locations beyond North America. With the internet, and other technology and delivery channels, members everywhere continue taking advantage of North Island Credit Union services. As of December, 2009, individual and business member deposits in the credit union total approximately $1.1 billion.

In December of 1940, during the credit union's first year, President Franklin Roosevelt, in one of his fireside chat radio addresses to the American people, described how it was imperative that the United States "must be the great arsenal of democracy." The people of North Island, and indeed all of San Diego, rose to that challenge in those times. They continue to do so today, as North Island, "the birthplace of naval aviation," is the largest aerospace complex in the U.S. Navy.

North Island Credit Union is proud to have been a part of San Diego's years of service to the security and welfare of the citizens of the United States and the people of other nations around the world. As we celebrate our 70 years, we look forward to a future of serving those who serve our country, making a positive impact on the lives of all North Island Credit Union member-owners, and being a contributing member of the San Diego community.
 

John Tippets
President & CEO