Arizona Financial's 90th Anniversary

Celebrating nine decades of community impact & people helping people. 

Pictured clockwise from top left: Shannon (42 years of service), Lisa (40 years), Pat (36 years), Renae (38 years) 

Built for Members,
Growing with Purpose

Our story began in 1936 with a simple premise: people helping people. From the start, our purpose has been to make affordable financial services available to working people and families – and that vision still guides the decisions we make today.

Family at papago park pointing and smiling
Built for members, not stock holders

Arizona Financial is different by design. As a member-owned credit union, we don’t exist to maximize profits for stockholders. We exist to deliver value to our members.

Returning value to you

Our excess earnings are returned to members in the form of better rates on loans and deposits, lower fees, and enhanced services like Loyalty Rewards & Relationship Discounts.

Full-service banking

From humble beginnings, we’ve grown from a small, local credit union into a full‑service financial institution serving over 180,000 consumers and small business owners across Arizona.

Community impact

We continue to invest in our communities in meaningful ways, like awarding over $800,000 in community grants and launching the Arizona Financial Foundation.

Timeline: 90 Years of Milestones

Take a scroll through our history – see how we’ve grown, adapted, and built lasting relationships across Arizona. From our founding days to our transformation from Arizona Federal to Arizona Financial in 2022, every milestone is a testament to the dedication of our members and the commitment of our team.

1936
Our Founding Year

Established as the Phoenix City Employees’ Credit Union

1971
19 Employees

19 employees staff the entire credit union.  Average loan amount: $1,021

1974
$14 Million

Credit union grows to 11,000 members strong and $14 million in assets

1977
Share Drafts Offered

Share Drafts (checking accounts) introduced as new payment option

1980
Self-Serve Tellers

Our first Automated Teller Machines (ATM) made available to members

1981
Becoming AZFCU

Arizona Federal forms with merger of Phoenix, Mesa, Tempe, Scottsdale & Chandler employee credit unions

1983-1984
Glendale Merger

City of Glendale Employees FCU joins Arizona Federal 

1984
$50 Million

Arizona Federal surpasses $50 million in assets

1985
Debit Cards Introduced

Visa® Check Cards (debit cards) first offered to members

1989
1 Million Transactions

Arizona Federal processes its one millionth member transaction

1992
Western Horizons

Merger with Western Horizons FCU (former Western Horizon's HQ and Mesa Stapley branch pictured)

1994
$270 Million

Arizona Financial serves 75,000 members, grows to $270 million in assets

1996
Online Banking

C.U. Online PC banking introduced, requires software installation from 3.5 inch floppy disk

1997
First Website

Arizona Federal launches first website, free download of C.U. Online available 

1998
New Headquarters

Credit union moves into newly constructed (and current) headquarters on 44th Street & Van Buren in Phoenix

2001-2002
$1 Billion

Credit union grows to 150,000 members, $1 billion in assets

2003
New Service Areas

Expanded field of membership approved: Maricopa & Pinal counties and City of Tucson

2004-2005
Visa® Platinum Card

New credit card launches: no annual fee, no cash advance fee, no balance transfer fee (just like today!)

2006
$10 Million Giveback

Arizona Federal completes historic giveback of $10 million in surplus earnings to members

2008-2011
Great Recession

Member hardships from housing crash and unemployment result in over $400 million in loan losses

2012
Power of Us!

Arizona Federal emerges from Great Recession, introduces "Power of Us!"

2019
Historic Acquisition

First credit union acquisition of a bank in Arizona, commercial & residential lending made available to members

2020
Arizona Federal Theatre

Credit union gains naming rights to Arizona Federal (Financial) Theatre in downtown Phoenix

2020
Debit Card Giveback

Local Causes debit card giveback established, over $800,000 in community grants awarded since 2020

2022
Name Change

Arizona Federal becomes Arizona Financial, reflecting change from federal to state credit union charter

2022
Statewide Service Area

New charter expands field of membership to serve majority of Arizona 

2022
Expansion to Western AZ

Horizon Community Bank acquisition, new branches in Lake Havasu, Fort Mohave, Kingman, Parker & Quartzsite

2025
Foundation Established

Creation of Arizona Financial Foundation to increase community giveback & impact 

2026
$3.9 Billion

180,000 members strong, $3.9 billion in assets, 690 employees

2026
Member Loyalty Rewards

New member giveback programs introduced: Loyalty Rewards & Relationship Discounts    

2026
Celebrating 90 Years

Thank you to our members for 90 years of trust. It's an honor to serve you!

Two employees of Arizona Financial giving a side hug

Powered by People Who Care

Our mission comes to life through our employees – many with decades of service and deep community roots. Their dedication builds trust, strengthens relationships, and shapes the experience members feel every day.

People helping people isn’t just our history – it’s how we show up.

Innovation Built Around Members

Our history runs deep – but our focus is forward.

We continue to invest in digital tools, secure technology, and smarter processes to make managing your money simpler, safer, and more intuitive.

Whether you choose in‑branch conversations, digital connections, or both, your experience is designed to feel seamless and personal.

Girl smiling while talking on her phone and scrolling on her laptop
Employee of Arizona Financial smiling and holding up a sign that says thank you for 90 years

Committed to Community

Community is at the core of Arizona Financial.

Through our community grants program and Arizona Financial Foundation, we invest in local nonprofits, support meaningful causes, and partner with organizations that strengthen Arizona – today and for generations to come.

Join the Celebration!

Whether you've been with us for decades or are just getting started, you're part of our story.

Thank you for 90 years of trust! We are honored to serve you today and inspired by what we will continue to build together.

Watch for special events, giveaways and more throughout the year!

Employee's of Arizona Financial holding up a sign that says 90 Years