TIME has put Golden 1 Credit Union on its inaugural list of America’s Best Companies, and it’s the only credit union in the Banking & Financial Services category to make the cut.
What the Recognition Means
The list honors organizations that pair strong business results with real benefits for their employees, customers and communities. For Golden 1, that means a long-standing focus on helping Californians build financial well-being, plus investment in the people who work there and the places they serve.
“For nearly a century, Golden 1 has been dedicated to helping Californians build brighter financial futures,” said Donna Bland, president and CEO of Golden 1 Credit Union. “Being recognized by TIME reflects the work our employees do every day to serve our members, expand opportunity across California and build an organization rooted in trust, purpose and long-term impact.”
How TIME Judged the Field
Think of it like a restaurant review that doesn’t stop at the food. TIME also checked the kitchen, the staff and the books. Companies were scored on three things: employee satisfaction, financial performance and sustainability transparency.
That meant employee surveys, revenue and growth indicators, and environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors. ESG is simply a way of measuring how a company handles its impact on the planet, its people and its own oversight.
Behind the Honor
The recognition follows Golden 1’s continued investments in financial education, employee development and community partnerships. Each is aimed at expanding economic opportunity across California.
Golden 1 credits its employees for the result. They carry out the credit union’s mission daily, and it serves more than 1.2 million members across the state, making it one of the largest credit unions in the nation.
With TIME’s first list now in the books, Golden 1 has a national mark of approval for doing right by its members, its team and its home state.