Member-Owned
Since 1951

For 75 years, Travis Credit Union has served our members through financial empowerment, education and community advocacy. What began in 1951 with a handful of people at Travis Air Force Base has prospered into a recognized banking leader in Northern California and a preferred financial partner in Solano and Yolo counties.

Today, our legacy of helping people continues to evolve. We are constantly identifying newer and better ways to make it easier for members to bank with us. From implementing the latest digital banking technology to opening modern new branches (and refreshing older ones) in 2026 and beyond, we want more people and communities to experience the difference of a TCU membership.

75 Years of Service. Strength. Community.

Explore the moments that shaped Travis Credit Union

1950s

Time for a Change

This passion for helping people started when a small group of civilian workers at TAFB in 1951 asked themselves why there wasn’t an alternative way to borrow and save money that provided more value than the big banks. As it turned out, there was. After World War II, there was significant growth in the federal credit union movement, so this group decided it was time for a change. They submitted a charter to the federal government, which was approved on Oct. 5, 1951, forming the Travis Air Force Base Federal Credit Union.

Led by Board President Paul W. Preall, the credit union chose a volunteer treasurer named Jack Taylor to recruit members on base. After its first month in business, TAFB FCU had 46 members and $270 in assets. Two years later, Taylor became the credit union’s first paid employee, earning $35 a month.

Our first office was in the Link Trainer Building, and we later moved to Building 251, where we remained throughout the late 1960s. In our first decade, word spread about the benefits of the credit union, which attracted military officers, enlisted service members and civilian employees. By the end of 1959, we had nearly 3,500 and $652,000 in deposits.

1960s

Deepening Roots

As the 1960s arrived, membership flourished, and the credit union strengthened its roots. Executive leadership roles were created, with retired Air Force Lt. Col. Joseph E. LaBuda being named the credit union’s first Office Manager in 1961.

By the mid-1960’s, we had 15 employees and needed a place of our own to serve our growing membership. An open field along Travis Avenue on base was selected, and our first permanent branch opened on Feb. 16, 1968.

1970s

Community Focused

By January 1970, TAFB FCU had 19,115 members and $11.5 million in assets. We soon expanded our field of membership to serve the surrounding communities and changed our name to Travis Federal Credit Union. The first off-base branch opened in April 1977 in Fairfield.

That same year, Lt. General John Gonge, who had just retired from the U.S. Air Force, was named office manager, and later president and chief executive officer. “I didn’t have any background in finances but as a General, I had a budget in the military that made this thing look like nothing,” Gonge said in 2011. “And I’ll always remember the best part was the people you work with – fantastic!”

1980s

Strength, Growth and a Corporate Home

In the early 1980s, Travis was already showing the financial strength and security that made us a popular place to bank in Solano County. A March 1982 report from an outside accounting firm noted that Travis FCU was one of the most stable and strongest credit unions in the country. By this time, we had 43,162 members and $81.4 million in assets.

Because of the credit union’s growth, a site in Downtown Vacaville was selected for our first administrative offices, which opened in June 1986. By 1988, our strong and healthy financial portfolio was recognized with a top rating from the NCUA, which was given only to the top 10 percent of all financial institutions in the U.S.

1990s

Positioned for the Millennium

The 1990s started with TFCU at 73,060 members and $290.1 million in assets. Gonge retired, replaced by Robert A. Siravo. Our Gateway and Vaca-Commons branches opened as demand for more local offices grew. To specifically assist retirees, we opened a small office in the gated retirement community of Paradise Valley in May 1999.

As the Millenium drew closer, we needed a more modern corporate office for staff and technology. A site along Allison Drive and I-80 in Vacaville was chosen. Construction began, and a new city street was created to access the property named One Travis Way.

2000s

Deeper Roots in the Community

The year 2000 opened with new corporate offices, a new name - Travis Credit Union - and a new community charter serving 12 Northern California counties. In 2002, Patsy Van Ouwerkerk became President and CEO.

During this decade, Travis doubled its branch footprint with branches in Antioch, Green Valley, Dixon, Woodland, Vallejo , Atwater, Clayton Valley, Napa and other areas. By 2010, TCU had 177,324 members and more than $1.8 billion in assets. We also began offering college scholarships to college-bound members during this decade.

2010s

Financial Education and Community Advocacy

In 2011, First Metropolitan Credit Union (Metro 1) merged into TCU, creating new TCU branches in Antioch, Benicia and Richmond. A year later, we introduced our Mobile Banking app. In 2013, Travis surpassed $2 billion in assets. The next year, Barry Nelson was named President & CEO, and we successfully undertook a major computer system upgrade that allowed us to better serve its members.

More branches opened this decade, including a new space for Travis Wealth Management. Our focus on expanding financial education and community advocacy efforts led to the creation of the TCU Foundation in 2019.

2020s

Stronger Growth and Community Partnerships

In 2020, to help people and communities struggling with the economic problems caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the TCU Foundation provided $3 million to groups providing essential services during the pandemic as well as assistance to local wildfire victims.

At the start of 2021, we surpassed $4 billion in assets and 214,000 members. In 2022, Kevin Miller was named President and CEO. Over the next three years, we updated our digital banking system, improved internal efficiencies, and positioned TCU for stronger growth, enhanced community partnerships, and more engaging financial education efforts.

We rebooted our teen financial boot camp to Generation Wealth and introduced Knowledge Base, a free financial education platform to make it easy for members to learn about a variety of money-related topics at their convenience.

As we approach our 75th birthday on Oct. 5, 2026, we at Travis continue to champion our mission of helping people by delivering better value and by being a trusted financial partner and community pillar.

Thank you for your membership.

What Is a Credit Union?

Travis Credit Union was founded in 1951 by civilian workers and military at Travis Air Force Base. We are part of a global movement that began in the U.S. during the Great Depression, when President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Federal Credit Union Act in 1934. This allowed people, especially those of modest means, to pool their resources through shares in a credit union to ensure affordable access to credit.

Benefits of a Credit Union

Every member of a credit union is also the owner of the credit union and has a vote on the board of director elections. Unlike banks that must appease shareholders, credit unions use their profits to benefit their membership through lower interest rates on loans, higher returns on savings and improvements that make credit union experience better for members.

Economic Impacts of Credit Unions

Credit unions have a significant impact on their communities, and yes, they do pay taxes such as payroll taxes, sales taxes and property taxes. Congress exempts credit unions from federal income taxes because credit unions are member-owned, democratically operated, not-for-profit organizations managed by volunteer boards of directors.

Not yet a member? Experience Travis for yourself. Join Today >