member spotlight
Frontwave Credit Union: Giving Back Moves Us Forward
By Bill Birnie Frontwave President/CEO We’re celebrating our 70th Anniversary this year at Frontwave Credit Union – 70 years of serving the local Oceanside community and beyond. We got our start back in 1952 as Camp Pendleton Federal Credit Union, serving the financial needs of Marines, sailors, and civilian employees on base. Over the past seven decades, we’ve grown from just eight civil service employees and $40 in assets, to over 117,000 Members and nearly $1.2 billion in assets. As I reflect on our success, it is clear that our growth is driven by our steadfast commitment to our Members and the communities we serve. For our first 50 years of service, we were committed to making a difference for Service Members, their families and the communities they called home. In that time, we merged with credit unions at the bases in 29 Palms, Barstow and Marine Corps Recruit Depot – San Diego, expanding our financial offerings and community support along the way. Then in 2002, we rebranded as Pacific Marine Credit Union and opened our Membership to anyone living, working or worshiping in San Diego or San Bernardino Counties. In 2004, we added Riverside County as well. Today we serve Members across the globe, from local businesses and residents right here in Oceanside, to Marines stationed in Germany, Okinawa and beyond. Throughout our 70 years of growth and change, we have always fought to be a force for good in our communities. For example, when we helped create the Marine Recruit Depot Direct Deposit Program 8 | Best of Oceanside Magazine
in the mid-1990s, we saved so much government waste, we received a Hammer Award from then Vice President Al Gore. Fast forward to 2020, when we took the opportunity to become one of the first local financial institutions to offer Paycheck Protection Program loans. Through this program, we provided more than $12 million in funding to nearly 300 beloved local businesses. Among them are Mission San Luis Rey, KOCTV, the Oceanside Art Museum and the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce. In 2021 alone, we provided 44,694 hours of financial education, offering 58 financial workshops on everything from car and home buying, to estate and retirement planning. Our commitment goes well beyond financial savings, services and education. In 2021, we supported more than 180 military, community, and non-profit organizations in our community through sponsorships, events and volunteerism. Through our partnership with the Camp Pendleton Armed Services YMCA, we helped serve 42,258 military families aboard Camp Pendleton and 29 Palms with food, children’s services, education, gifts, and more. This included teaming up with Marines to help distribute 81,000 pounds of food and Christmas gifts for 4,675 individuals. Each time we reinvest in our Members and our community, we further strengthen our roots, allowing us to grow and dream bigger. Truly, giving back moves us forward, as individuals, as an organization, and as a changemaker in the community. Thank you, Oceanside, for giving us these opportunities. Here’s to another 70 years of growing stronger together!
Spring 2022 | www.oceansidechamber.com
