From Humble Beginnings to One of Southern California’s Leading Credit Unions

We’ve been around a long time—over 75 years, as a matter of fact!

Our journey began in 1947 when a group of dedicated naval and civilian employees came together at the Naval Ordinance Test Station, China Lake to create something truly special: the NOTS Employees Federal Credit Union. Their goal was simple yet powerful – to establish a financial institution that could offer affordable loans and essential services to military and civilian personnel, along with their families, in a secluded part of California.

As time has passed, we've grown by leaps and bounds, opening new branches, merging and acquiring other institutions, and introducing new products and services to cater to the needs of our members. And our family has grown too! Originally serving military and civilian employees, our membership criteria now extends to those living, working, worshipping, volunteering, or attending school in Kern, Inyo, Mono, and northern San Bernardino counties. Even businesses in these areas can now join.

The US Department of the Treasury has given us a special stamp of approval – we're a Certified Community Development Financial Institution—the first one headquartered in Kern County, California. This recognition celebrates our tireless efforts to enhance the lives of our members and enables us to receive grants from the CDFI Fund. These grants allow us to bring our much-needed financial services to communities and populations that might otherwise be underserved.

Our commitment runs deep. We're on a mission to improve the inequalities that exist in income, wealth, and access to financial solutions. Through competitive loan rates and invaluable financial education resources, we're dedicated to helping our members realize their financial dreams.

Today, we stand proud as one of Southern California's largest credit unions. With 56,000+ members and assets exceeding $910 million, our family keeps growing, thriving, and making a positive impact.

So, that's us in a nutshell – a bunch of friendly folks dedicated to making finances friendlier.

Mission Statement

AltaOne’s mission is to improve the inequalities that exist in income, wealth, and access to financial solutions.

Vision Statement

AltaOne’s vision is to be a relationship-focused credit union that develops communities through education.

Our History

“They have a desk, a typewriter, and a wastebasket, and they call themselves a credit union.”

— Lorraine McClung, 1947

1940s — A Cash Drawer Credit Union

1947

9 members of the Naval Ordnance Test Station Employees Welfare Association organize NOTS Employees Federal Credit Union in China Lake, California, with less than $300 in deposits in one cash drawer.
The credit union is housed in the Old Training Building on base at China Lake.
The original field of membership is limited to naval and government personnel of China Lake and their family members.
Savings account limits were $100 a month, the maximum unsecured loan amount was $50, and the maximum secured loan amount was $2,000.

1948

NOTS Employees Federal Credit Union grows to 616 members with total assets of $37,160.

1950s — Becoming a True Resource

1953

Credit union moves to the Old Byrnes Street School on base.

1957

3,269 members; assets approaching $1 million.
Membership broadens to include other federal employees and retirees living in the area, as well as the credit union’s own employees.

1960s — Gearing Up for Growth

1960

Credit union moves to the Housing Building on base.

1963

Employees of the City of Ridgecrest can join the credit union.

1965

Credit union moves to Old Dorm 1 on base.

1968

Name changes to Naval Weapons Center Federal Credit Union.

1970s — A Permanent Foundation

1971

Federal Insurance on Share Deposits.

1972

The credit union builds its own permanent office at Richmond Road and King Street on base, no longer ‘borrowing’ space from the base.

1975

A mobile branch is introduced.
A more accessible office is constructed in Ridgecrest at the Sierra Vista Shopping Center on North Norma Street and becomes known as the ‘City Office.’

1976

Credit union adopts an expanded common bond definition to include all residents of Ridgecrest and surrounding areas—becoming a community-based credit union.

1978

Credit union expands outside of the Indian Wells Valley to Boron through a merger with the US Borax Boron Employees Federal Credit Union.
Checking (Share Draft) accounts are introduced to the product lineup.

1980s — Acquisition & Expansion

1980

The deregulation of financial institutions opens more avenues for the credit union to serve its members. Product offerings expand to include IRA and Share Certificates, money market accounts, credit cards, and 30-year mortgages.

1983

Assets grow to $137 million with the help of a merger with the Kern Valley Community Federal Credit Union in Kernville.

1984

The first ATMs are installed at Base and City branches.

1985

Lake Isabella Branch opens.

1989

Name changed to NWC Community Federal Credit Union to reflect the transition from an employee-based credit union to a community-chartered organization.
A new corporate office is built on the corner of Rader Street and South China Lake Boulevard in Ridgecrest.

1990s — Milestones & Technology

1990

ATMs are available at all branches.

1993

California City Branch opens.
100,000ᵗʰ account is opened.

1995

New computer systems are installed, which led to the introduction of Online Banking.

1997

NWC Community Federal Credit Union celebrates the organization’s 50ᵗʰ anniversary.
Grocery store banking is introduced with the opening of a branch inside Stater Bros. in Ridgecrest.

1998

Online loan applications are accepted for the first time.

1999

‘We are Y2Kapable’ campaign is rolled out for the Year 2000 change.

2000s — New Millenium Brings New Opportunities

2000

The name AltaOne Federal Credit Union is formally adopted.
NCUA grants field of membership expansion, allowing the addition of Inyo County and northern San Bernardino County.

2001

Bishop Branch opens.
Ridgecrest Corporate Office and Branch are remodeled and expanded.

2002

AltaOne begins offering financial planning and investment services to members through LPL Financial.

2003

Business lending is introduced.

2004

Small Business Administration (SBA) loans are offered for the first time.

2005

Credit union’s field of membership is expanded to include Mono County and western Kern County.

2006

Lone Pine Branch opens.

2008

Bakersfield Ming, Bakersfield Riverwalk, and Tehachapi Albertsons branches open.

2010s — Shaken, not Stirred

2016

Credit union installs a new online and mobile banking platform.

2017

Credit union converts and upgrades its core operating systems to be better positioned for new technologies.
Bob Boland, President & CEO of the credit union since 1991, retires, leaving a legacy of unparalleled growth and expansion.

2019

On July 4th and 5th, two earthquakes (M6.4 and M7.1) rock the Ridgecrest area, felt as far away as northern California and Phoenix, Arizona. In the aftermath, the credit union adopts the ‘Shaken, not Stirred’ motto and implements the AltaCares project, providing food, resources, and economic help to members and the community at large.

2020s — Refocusing in the Roaring 20s

2020

The COVID-19 Pandemic hits the nation, and AltaOne provides relief to members and the business community by processing over $4.1 million in PPP loans and Kern County Small Business Recovery Grants.
AltaOne is voted a “Favorite Financial Institution” in The Bakersfield Californian 2020 Readers’ Choice Poll.

2021

A comprehensive strategic plan for the credit union is developed and implemented by Board of Directors, executive leadership, and employees.
The 1ˢᵗ annual AltaOne Halloween Fall Festival is held at the corporate office. Games, candy, and a haunted house are provided free of charge to the community.
AltaOne is voted the “Best Financial Institution” in the Tehachapi News 2021 Readers’ Choice Poll.

2022

AltaOne is certified as a Community Development Financial Institution by the US Department of the Treasury. It is assigned a target investment area that includes Inyo, Kern, Los Angeles, Mono, Orange, San Bernardino, and Tulare counties in California; Clark County, Nevada; and Mohave County, Arizona.
The Ridgecrest branch of Mission Bank is acquired. The new location is christened the Ridgecrest North Branch.
Tehachapi Albertsons Branch is relocated to a stand-alone branch building that was vacated by a large regional bank.
Business banking and lending offerings are expanded to include a full line of products, services, and loans.
The credit union joins the Co-Op ATM and Shared Branch network providing over 30,000 ATMs and over 5,400 physical locations that members can use, coast to coast and in 10 foreign countries.
A new mission statement is created to better communicate what we strive to do each and every day: AltaOne’s mission is to improve the inequalities that exist in income, wealth, and access to financial solutions.
AltaOne is voted the “Best Financial Institution”, “Best Employer”, and “Best Mortgage Professional” in the Tehachapi News 2022 Readers’ Choice Poll.
AltaOne is voted a “Favorite Financial Institution” in The Bakersfield Californian 2022 Readers’ Choice Poll.
The Kernville and Lake Isabella branches receive the 2022 Business of the Year award from the Kern River Valley Chamber of Commerce.
Awarded Affiliate of the Year by the Ridgecrest Area Association of Realtors.

2023

The credit union receives a $2.4 million grant from the CDFI Fund—it’s first since becoming a certified CDFI in 2022.
The AltaOne Foundation is incorporated and launched as the charitable arm of the credit union.
AltaOne is voted a “Favorite Financial Institution”, “Favorite Mortgage Company”, and a “Favorite Locally Owned Place to Work” in The Bakersfield Californian 2023 Readers’ Choice Poll.
AltaOne is voted a “Favorite Financial Institution”, “Favorite Employer”, and the “Best Mortgage Professional” in the Tehachapi News 2023 Readers’ Choice Poll.
The credit union receives a Certificate of Excellence from America’s Credit Unions.
AltaOne and the Armed Forces Financial Network celebrate their 25 year partnership serving the military community.

2024

The credit union is awarded a $200,000 California Investment & Innovation Program grant.
AltaOne receives the Large Business of the Year Award from the Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
AltaOne is voted a “Favorite Financial Institution” and a “Favorite Mortgage Company” in The Bakersfield Californian 2024 Readers’ Choice Poll.

Historical Timeline of the Name of the Credit Union

1947-1968 NOTS Employees Federal Credit Union
1968-1989 Naval Weapons Center Federal Credit Union
1989-2000 NWC Community Federal Credit Union
2000-Present AltaOne Federal Credit Union

Mergers & Acquisitions

1978 - Merged with US Borax Boron Employees Federal Credit Union, Boron California.
1983 - Merged with Kern Valley Community Federal Credit Union, Kernville California.
2022 - Acquired Mission Bank Ridgecrest Branch, Ridgecrest California.