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Community

Awards and Recognition

Leadership. Culture. Innovation. Community engagement. SAFE excels in a multitude of ways, from quality business expertise to supporting our community through corporate citizenship. Our workplace culture centered on the philosophy that happy employees lead to happy members is pretty special, too! Learn more about the many honors SAFE has received that celebrate how we lead in excellence.

2022
Best Place to Work, Extra Large Business (fifth year in a row)
Sacramento Business Journal

SAFE earned a Best Place to Work award for Extra Large Business for the fifth year in a row from the Sacramento Business Journal. SAFE received the award for its supportive culture that embraces DEI+Belonging, implementing a remote work policy, and providing quality benefits to its employees. Read more

Corporate Citizenship Award
Sacramento Business Journal

SAFE understands that a healthy regional economy helps all who live there thrive. SAFE was honored for our commitment to providing economic opportunity for all in the Greater Sacramento region. Read more

CUNA Diamond Awards
Credit Union National Association (CUNA)

The Credit Union National Association awarded SAFE its prestigious Diamond Award for an advertising campaign featuring five small business owners in Sacramento that showcased their companies and encouraged people to shop local. Read more

CUNA Tomorrow’s Star Award: Alex Becerra
Credit Union National Association (CUNA)

Relationship Manager Alex Becerra received the Credit Union National Associated Tomorrow’s Star Award, given to younger credit union employees who show an aptitude for leadership and service. Alex received the award in part for his work launching and co-hosting the Perfect Cents Podcast and for his volunteerism. Read more

Orangevale Chamber of Commerce Best Credit Union/Bank and Best Mortgage Lender
Orangevale Chamber of Commerce

The Orangevale Chamber of Commerce named SAFE's Orangevale/Fair Oaks branch as the best credit union and the best mortgage/lender in Orangevale. The award was decided by a community vote.

Telly Award
Telly Awards Judging Council

SAFE’s advertising campaign showcasing five small businesses in the Sacramento region received a Silver Award in the national Telly Awards. Read more

Fair Oaks Chamber of Commerce Best Credit Union/Bank
Fair Oaks Chamber of Commerce

SAFE Credit Union was voted Best Credit Union/Bank by participants in a the 2022 Best Of poll by the Fair Oaks Chamber of Commerce.

United Way Corporate Community Champion Award
United Way

The United Way California Capital Region chapter named SAFE the organization’s September 2022 Corporate Community Champion for the credit union’s ongoing pledge to grow and support the nonprofit’s programs. Read more

Dora Maxwell Award
Credit Union National Association

SAFE’s grant program awarded $120,000 to seven nonprofits in 2021 to support programs that focus on improving outcomes for health, education, and veterans in the Greater Sacramento region. The grants directly benefited 7,800 people. The Dora Maxwell Award is a prestigious honor that celebrates a credit union’s dedication to improving their community through philanthropy and public service. Read more

Most Admired CEO (Dave Roughton)
Sacramento Business Journal

SAFE Credit Union CEO Dave Roughton celebrated for his achievements at the credit union, advocating for the credit union mission, and for his selfless work in the community. Read more

2021
Best Place to Work, Very Large Employer
Sacramento Business Journal

SAFE's cooperative and innovative culture shined through during significant cultural shifts in workplaces. Read more

Corporate Citizenship Award
Sacramento Business Journal

SAFE honored for our financial assistance and other support to members and the community during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more

 

CUNA Diamond Awards
Credit Union National Association (CUNA)

SAFE supports local businesses in many ways, and an ad campaign that celebrated some of our business members' tenacity and determination in 2020-2021 earned top honors from CUNA. Read more

2020
Best Place to Work, Very Large Employer
Sacramento Business Journal

2020 was a challenging year as workplaces responded to the pandemic and addressed social inequities. SAFE excelled in ensuring employee wellbeing while launching a diversity, equity, and inclusion initiative. Read more

 

CUNA Diamond Awards
Credit Union National Association (CUNA)

SAFE received two top awards from CUNA. One celebrated a series of financial education videos that combined humor and key financial lessons. The other honored SAFE’s robust crisis management response to the economic challenges posed by the pandemic to our members and community. Read more

 

J. Alvin George Outstanding Volunteer Award
California and Nevada Credit Union League

SAFE Credit Union Board Chair Terrance Tremelling has long been a champion for the credit union movement, and his executive experience provides expert leadership for SAFE. The award honors significant contributions by people who serve credit unions as a board or committee member. Read more

 

Best Place to Work
PRNEWS

SAFE joined business powerhouses such as Aflec and Bayer as a Best Place to Work. The award cited SAFE’s generous benefits packages, caring support for new parents including baby bonding time and Bring Baby to Work program, and a commitment to employees’ personal and career growth. Read more

2019
Best Place to Work, Very Large Employer
Sacramento Business Journal

SAFE employees love working here, and they let the Sacramento Business Journal know in surveys that led to this honor for the credit union. A people-centered culture that rewards collaboration, innovation, and growth earns SAFE repeated accolades. Read more

 

CUNA Diamond Awards
Credit Union National Association (CUNA)

The SAFE Credit YOUnion campaign received honors for its striking message and visuals that captured the diversity of the Greater Sacramento region and very essence of what it means to be a credit union that puts people over profits. Read more

 

No. 1 Credit Union Lender
U.S. Small Business Administration Sacramento District Office

SAFE leads other credit unions in providing SBA loans to help our business members get the funding they need to grow their businesses. Read more

 

Businessman of the Year
Sacramento Metro Chamber of Commerce

SAFE Credit Union President and CEO Dave Roughton was celebrated as the Businessman of the Year for his work advocating for the credit union mission and his tireless volunteer efforts in the community. Read more

 

Outstanding Organization Award
Sacramento Chapter Society of Fundraisers Organization

Each year SAFE provides $400,000 in giving through donations, grants, and sponsorships. We received this honor for our philanthropic giving by Association of Fundraising Professionals California Capital Chapter for National Philanthropy Day. Read more

 

Advocate of the Year Award
California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues

SAFE Credit Union President and CEO Dave Roughton received this honor for being instrumental in nurturing local relationships with elected officials in the Greater Sacramento area and advocating for credit unions among decision makers. Read more

 

Innovation Awards - Industry Breakthrough Category
Nintex Solutions

SAFE Credit Union put Nintex's technology to work to improve internal processes to ensure a more streamlined experience for employees submitting expense reports, signing up for volunteer opportunities, and more. Read more

 

MAME Awards Mortgage Officer of the Year
North State Builder Industry Association

SAFE Credit Union Senior Mortgage Officer Brandi Schaefer was honored as the Mortgage Professional of the Year by the North State Builder Industry Association at the MAME awards. She received the award for her superlative customer service, taking care of her clients first and foremost, while supporting and defending the builders. Watch here

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