About Us
Proudly serving the communities of San Francisco
and San Mateo County for nearly 70 years.
People Helping People
San Francisco Federal Credit Union proudly serves the communities of San Francisco and San Mateo County. For nearly 70 years we have aligned our focus on the philosophy of “people helping people.” Starting with a humble beginning in 1954 at a kitchen table on Capp Street, to becoming the full-service, multi-branch financial institution we are today, we pride ourselves on making a difference in the financial lives of our members and dedicating time and resources to improving our communities.
As a not-for-profit cooperative, our board members are volunteers; we do not have stockholders demanding higher profits. Our earnings are returned to the membership by offering savings products with higher returns and loans with lower rates.
Philosophy & Core Values
San Francisco Federal Credit Union believes in strong driving principles to deliver exceptional member service. It is part of our mission to provide genuine, professional advice in a way that makes members feel comfortable and supported.
What Is Our Mission?
We are a high-performing and empowered team of financial professionals serving Bay Area communities by providing innovative solutions that bring peace of mind and financial stability.
Credit Union employees look to our four core values for moral guidance and professional consistency when interacting with members.
Serve More
Partner More
Own More
Be More
Here For The Community
San Francisco Federal Credit Union is a not-for-profit, member-owned financial institution. We differ from big banks by offering higher earnings and dividends on deposits accounts, lower interest rates on loans and by charging fewer fees. Plus, members have access to more than 30,000 free ATMs across the country.
For over 65 years our mission has been to make financial life easier for our members and their families. San Francisco Federal Credit Union offers genuine, professional advice in a way that makes members feel comfortable and supported. We invite you to become a member and to take advantage of the many benefits we provide. Membership is open to those who live, work, go to school or worship in San Francisco or San Mateo counties.
Board Members
David Huebner
Chair
Benjamin Kurko
First Vice Chair
Luenna Kim
Second Vice Chair
Katrina Williams
Secretary
Michael Lopez
Treasurer
Patrick Michael Cox
Board Member
Richard Frattarelli
Board Member
William Lee
Board Member
William Smith
Board Member
Supervisory Committee
Andrew Murrell
Committee Chair
Chanda Ikeda
Committee Member
Linda Mason
Committee Member
Theresa Rutherford
Committee Member
Jeff Scarafia
Committee Member
Leadership Team
We are executives, innovators, entrepreneurs, bankers, and community leaders – united by a commitment to financial empowerment and growth.
Ray Shams
Chief Executive Officer
Ray Shams joined the Credit Union in 2017, bringing over 30 years of lending and risk management experience. Ray holds a Master of Business Admi…
Susan Lansing
Chief People Officer
Susan Lansing brings global human resources experience across financial services, luxury, beauty, academia, and technology. She builds…
Kirsten Madsen
Chief Operating Officer
Kirsten Madsen joined the credit union in 2023 and brings almost 30 years of banking and financial services experience. Kirsten holds a…
Peter Minford
Chief Financial Officer
Peter Minford joined the Credit Union in 2024. A seasoned professional with over 20 years experience as a CFO, and 40 years of leadership experience…
Melissa Palwick
Chief Lending Officer
Melissa is an accomplished lending professional with extensive experience in banking and credit unions. She excels in strategic planning, lending…
Janaki Rao
Chief Technology Officer
Janaki Rao brings over 25 years of IT experience, specializing in cloud infrastructure, digital banking, and omnichannel solutions across diverse organizations. Holding an MS in…
Edmond Sahakian
Chief Risk Officer
Edmond Sahakian brings over 30 years of experience in credit management, compliance, and enterprise risk management. He has led risk functions at multi-billion-dollar banks and credit unions…
Valerie Salamon
Chief of Staff
Head of Community Outreach and Government Affairs
Valerie Salamon joined the Credit Union in 2024, bringing over 30 years of experience in government affairs, public relations, and…
Celeste Fehely
Head of Member Experience
Celeste Fehely is a champion of enhancing the member journey, with 25 years of experience in banking, sales, operations, and customer experience. She has worked in major markets…
Tim Ma
Head of Mortgage Sales
Tim Ma is an experienced mortgage professional with a strong background in residential lending, credit analysis, and relationship management. He holds a degree in finance and has…
John McCurdy
Head of Corporate and Commercial Banking
With a strong background in commercial real estate (CRE) and member business lending (MBL), John McCurdy brings extensive expertise in driving strategic…
Celia Tanaka
Head of Human Resources
Celia Tanaka is a human resources leader with over 23 years of experience in the credit union industry. She specializes in talent development, organizational strategy, and…
Al Tappe
Head of Mortgage Banking Operations
With over 30 years of executive leadership in operations, technology, lending, and risk management…
Kelly Tsukamoto
Head of Consumer Lending and Digital Banking Services
Kelly is a dynamic financial leader with over 20 years of experience in commercial lending, relationship management, and…
Kirk Yee
Head of IT Digital Release
Kirk Yee is an accomplished financial professional with expertise in commercial analysis, portfolio management, and small business lending…
Our History
Our story started in 1954 when accountant George Trelut wanted to provide financial security for his family. In support of his fellow city employees, he sought to provide a responsible financial institution where everyone could obtain affordable loans, save money safely and gain a voice in their own financial experiences. Today, we continue to pursue and foster those same ideals.
We Support Our Community
For San Francisco Federal Credit Union, being part of the community means a sense of responsibility to give back, in a variety of ways. We help community members become financially literate by offering numerous free webinars and seminars throughout the year. We help organizations who help the less fortunate by donating – whether it be through clothing or food drives, by donating money to charities or by employees volunteering through our CommunityShare program.
Engage With Us On Social Media
Youth Scholarship
Invest in your future! San Francisco Federal Credit Union’s Youth Scholarship Program supports education and believes in investing in our communities.
Financial Education
Empowering you with the knowledge to thrive financially. Explore our financial education resources—because smart finance is part of a brighter future.
CommunityShare
Discover how we connect with our community! Our CommunityShare Program demonstrates our commitment through volunteerism and support for local causes.
Annual Reports
2023 Annual Report
2022 Annual Report
2021 Annual Report
2020 Annual Report
2019 Annual Report
2018 Annual Report
2017 Annual Report
2016 Annual Report