Nation’s sixth-largest credit union takes community investment to new heights
Sacramento, Calif., June 16, 2015 – Golden 1 Credit Union (Golden 1) and Sacramento Kings today announced a naming rights partnership establishing Golden 1 Center as the name for Sacramento’s world-class entertainment and sports center scheduled to open in fall of 2016. As a result of the partnership, Golden 1 becomes the first credit union in the country to secure the naming rights for a major league professional sports venue.
“For more than 80 years, Golden 1 Credit Union has been investing in people by helping them make the most of their money and achieve their dreams,” said Golden 1 President and Chief Executive Officer Donna Bland. “Golden 1 Center demonstrates our continued commitment and investment in the people and future of Sacramento, while also advancing our ability to provide our members with more auto loans, affordable home loans, free checking and so many other valued and convenient financial services. Our future, our members’ future, and Sacramento’s future are one. We are very proud to invest in the community that has for so long invested in us.”
Golden 1 Center represents a momentous new chapter in Sacramento’s storied history, uniting two of the region’s most recognized institutions – Golden 1 Credit Union and Sacramento Kings – in a 20-year partnership to support the city’s economic and cultural renaissance. The naming rights partnership includes tailored and unique benefits for Golden 1 members, including access to venue tours, Fast Pass line access at concession stands, advanced ticket purchases, and discounts on merchandise and games.
“We’ve said all along that our commitment to Sacramento is bigger than basketball,” said Sacramento Kings Owner and Chairman Vivek Ranadivé. “This is more than a naming rights announcement. We chose Golden 1 because they share our vision for the future of Sacramento, and together, we’ll invest in the community to grow into the next great American city its citizens deserve.”
With more than $9 billion in assets, Golden 1 is the leading credit union in California and the sixth largest credit union in the nation. Golden 1 has more than 720,000 members across California, 1,400 employees and more than 330,000 members in the greater Sacramento area. As a member-owned, member-focused organization, Golden 1 has conducted robust community give-back initiatives, including an $18 million member giveback, permanently eliminating over $2 million in fees, and providing more than $1 million in community grants, scholarships and charitable donations all in 2014. In 2015, Golden 1 helped drive a community giveback, supporting the four-county region’s execution of the national program, Big Day of Giving. As a result, Golden 1 and its members gave almost 10 percent of the total $5.6M in donations.
Golden 1 is also committed to innovating and strengthening its capabilities to give members an exceptional experience. Golden 1 is certified to offer members the convenience of Apple Pay and has enhanced mobile banking offerings and utilized chip technology to increase credit card security. Golden 1 Center will also include Golden 1’s 4,000 square foot flagship branch, which will boast new technology and member features.
“Golden 1 Center and the accompanying downtown development is laying the foundation for Sacramento’s future,” said Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson. “This local partnership creates the perfect synergy to help drive our new economy. Joining two of Sacramento’s most successful brands will have an exponentially strong impact to support current and future jobs in our region and city’s urban core.”
The Golden 1 Center and mixed-use development is a once-in-a-generation transformative project that will redefine the Sacramento region. A third-party analysis estimated that the combined economic impact of the downtown arena and surrounding development will generate 4,000 permanent jobs and $11.5 billion in economic activity for the Sacramento region over the expected 35-year lifespan.
This iconic civic space will showcase world-class art and entertainment, as well as the latest in environmental and technological innovations. The indoor-outdoor design celebrates and allows visitors to enjoy Sacramento’s climate and culture. In addition to farm-to-fork concessions, the arena’s facade patterns will depict leaves and trees cut into perforated metal, fitting for the “City of Trees.” The adjacent public plaza will also be a microcosm of the region’s agriculture and outdoor lifestyle with a bosque and hydroponic gardens. Golden 1 Center will help attract 1.6 million new visitors to downtown Sacramento each year, which is expected to help generate more than $8.5 million in sales tax and approximately $867,000 in transient occupancy taxes each year.
High-resolution renderings of Golden 1 Center can be downloaded at http://bit.ly/Golden1Kings.
For more information about Golden 1 Center, please visit www.golden1center.com or Golden1.com/CENTER.
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ABOUT GOLDEN 1 CREDIT UNION: With more than $9 billion in assets, Golden 1 Credit Union is the leading credit union in California, and the sixth largest credit union in the United States. Golden 1 Credit Union delivers financial solutions with value, convenience, and exceptional service. As a dynamic and trusted leader, Golden 1 is committed to enhancing the financial well-being of its members and diverse communities. Golden 1 has more than 720,000 members and 1,400 employees. Visit www.golden1.com/scholarships for more information.
ABOUT THE SACRAMENTO KINGS: In May 2013, Vivek Ranadivé led a dynamic and diverse ownership group comprised of leaders in technology, business, sports, marketing and real estate to purchase the Sacramento Kings. Under the new ownership, the Kings have implemented a forward-looking “NBA 3.0” philosophy focused on making the Kings the premier sports franchise of the 21st century. NBA 3.0 is driven by cutting-edge technology to enhance the fan experience, acting as a positive agent of change in the community and expanding the team’s global brand. For more information, please visit www.Kings.com.