Schoolsfirst Federal Credit Union (24212), a $34.4B credit union headquartered in Santa Ana, CA, led by CEO Cheney, reported $29.3B in member deposits at the end of 2025 Q3, an increase of $3.4B (+13.3%) compared to the same quarter last year.
The credit union's 73.4% loan-to-share ratio represents a balanced approach between deploying deposits into loans and maintaining adequate liquidity.
Taken together: balance sheet expansion is member-funded and sustainable.
Deposit Composition
Schoolsfirst Federal Credit Union's deposit portfolio is led by Share Certificates, comprising 39.2% of total deposits—time deposits (cds) with fixed terms and rates. Strong certificate balances indicate member preference for term deposits and predictable funding costs.
Deposit Portfolio Breakdown
| Deposit Type | Balance | % of Total | YoY Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Share Certificates | $11.5B | 39.2% | +27.2% |
| Regular Shares | $7.1B | 24.3% | +5.6% |
| Share Drafts | $4.8B | 16.5% | +7.8% |
| Money Market | $4.3B | 14.7% | +2.3% |
| IRA/KEOGH | $1.6B | 5.4% | +11.1% |
Source: NCUA 5300 Call Reports (2025_Q3)
Quarterly Deposit Trends
Robust deposit growth of this magnitude typically reflects competitive dividend rates, successful marketing campaigns, or strong community relationships driving member acquisition.
Quarterly Trend
| Period | Total Deposits | QoQ Change | Avg/Member |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Q2 | $25.6B | $18K | |
| 2024 Q3 | $25.8B | +0.9% | $18K |
| 2024 Q4 | $26.8B | +3.8% | $18K |
| 2025 Q1 | $28.2B | +5.2% | $19K |
| 2025 Q2 | $28.8B | +2.2% | $19K |
| 2025 Q3 | $29.3B | +1.5% | $19K |
Source: NCUA 5300 Call Reports
Member Deposit Metrics
Schoolsfirst Federal Credit Union serves 1,526,734 members, an increase of 6.3% year-over-year. The average member deposit of $19K has grown 6.5% compared to last year.
Strong deposit growth combined with member growth indicates successful market expansion and competitive deposit products.
Historical Context: Since the 2008 Crisis
Schoolsfirst Federal Credit Union's deposit base has grown 351% since Q3 2008, when the financial crisis was at its peak. At that time, the credit union held $6.5B in member deposits serving 396,504 members.
Membership has expanded 285% over this period, demonstrating strong community trust and successful member acquisition.
Peer Comparison
Among 8 credit unions in its $17.2B–$51.6B asset peer group, Schoolsfirst Federal Credit Union ranks in the 100th percentile for deposit growth. This positions the credit union as a deposit-gathering leader among similarly-sized institutions.
Outlook
With strong deposit momentum, Schoolsfirst Federal Credit Union appears well-positioned to fund loan growth and maintain competitive member services. Key factors to watch include deposit rate trends, member acquisition costs, and competitive dynamics in the CA market.
Schoolsfirst Federal Credit Union's Q4 2025 results, expected in early 2026, will provide further insight into whether this deposit growth trajectory can be sustained.
Track This Credit Union
Monitor Schoolsfirst Federal Credit Union's quarterly deposit performance, member metrics, and share composition with Finleet Terminal.
Data Sources: NCUA 5300 Call Reports (2025_Q3), NCUA Historical Data (2007-present), Finleet Proprietary Analysis
Methodology: Year-over-year growth calculated comparing 2025_Q3 to same quarter prior year. Peer groups defined as credit unions within 50% asset range. Average deposit calculated as total shares and deposits divided by total members.