SmartLab

As Seen in Forbes & Fortune: California's Leading Credit Unions

Written by Ana Fonseca | 8/29/2025

The Heart of the Matter

Logix Federal Credit Union may be a modern credit union, but its mission is timeless.

During one of the most devastating wildfire seasons in Southern California history, entire neighborhoods were reduced to ash. Many residents fled with only minutes to spare. What followed these mass evacuations was just as disorienting—lost homes, paychecks, and peace of mind. For many, even imagining the next step felt impossible.

“That moment tested not only our systems, but our values, responsiveness, and trust,” says Ana Fonseca, President and CEO of Logix Federal Credit Union. “It also confirmed that we’re here for our people when things are uncertain, emotional, and real.”

In that chaos, connection mattered most.

“No one was reading from scripts or redirecting members to online channels,” says Fonseca. “Employees didn’t ask, ‘How can I help you today?’ Instead, they’d ask, ‘How are you doing through all this?’ They listened without rushing, responded without judgment, and stayed on the line with members until it felt like someone was truly on their side.”

To meet the moment, Logix paused mortgage payments, issued $1,000 relief grants, and expedited emergency loans. Employees raised more than $100,000 through donations, vendor contributions, and matching grants to support members, teammates, and local nonprofits helping with relief efforts. And throughout, the message was clear: You’re not alone.

Always There. Always Real.

These actions reflect the credit union’s philosophy: Smarter Banking, Fueled by Heart.

“Whether we’re guiding members through everyday transactions or supporting them during a crisis, ‘Banking with Heart’ means showing up—helping people budget, manage claims, rebuild savings, or plan their next steps,” says Fonseca.

“Being there for members doesn’t come from a checklist. It comes from culture—acting before being asked, seeing the human before the need, and always doing the right thing.”

The concept of ‘Banking with Heart’ is what Logix employees believe sets the credit union apart. Its unwavering commitment to helping members thrive is woven into every level of the organization. Employees go beyond offering products and services—they take the time to understand members’ needs, goals, and challenges to provide personalized solutions that truly make a difference.

Fonseca shares the story of a couple who turned to Logix, hoping to refinance their mortgage. Despite the team’s best efforts, the couple didn’t initially qualify due to excessive debt. But rather than sending them on their way, the branch manager helped them build a financial roadmap—outlining steps for debt reduction and working in coordination with their tax advisor.

Two years later, the couple returned with a stronger financial position. This time, Logix was able to refinance their home, eliminate their unsecured debt, and resolve a long-standing lien that had weighed heavily on them. With that support, they reached a goal that once felt out of reach: retiring with peace of mind and financial freedom.

“That’s not unusual here,” says Fonseca. “We’ve built a culture where employees see themselves as assistants, advocates, and advisors. It’s about showing up, listening, and caring—every day, in every interaction.”

Support When-and Where-It Matters

Looking forward, Logix is overhauling its digital tools, from mobile banking to web navigation, to deliver member experiences that feel more intuitive and human, making it easier to bank on the go, anytime.

The credit union is also expanding its financial education offerings through dashboards and AI-informed tools, providing personalized guidance on saving, budgeting, credit health, and more.

At Logix, digital doesn’t mean distant—it means thoughtful, responsive, and deeply human. The focus is on delivering digital services that feel personal and intuitive, ensuring every interaction empowers members to face the future with clarity, confidence, and the assurance that real people are always behind the technology, ready to help.

The credit union’s dedication extends into its community as well. Volunteering isn’t a checkbox—it’s a culture.

Logix employees mentor youth, support programs that provide transitional housing, and assemble care packages for deployed troops, among other community endeavors. One employee even fosters a future guide dog as part of a program the credit union sponsors.

“These efforts aren’t assigned. They start with individuals motivated by compassion,” says Fonseca.

That spirit fuels broader initiatives as well; the employee-organized Logix Community Stars Foundation receives donations directly from employee paychecks and distributes funds among nonprofit partners.

Support from the Foundation has helped provide daily hot meals for seniors through a partnership with Senior Concerns, equestrian therapy for children with disabilities at Carousel Ranch, advocacy and support for foster youth through Penny Lane Centers, and preventative health care for underinsured families through the Samuel Dixon Family Health Center.

These actions haven’t gone unnoticed.

In 2024, Forbes named Logix a Best-In-State Credit Union for the fifth time. Year after year, readers of the Los Angeles Daily News and other local publications vote Logix as a Readers’ Choice or Best Of winner.

For decades, BauerFinancial has consistently awarded Logix a five-star rating for safety and soundness.

Still, for Fonseca, accolades aren’t the objective.

“We’re honored by the recognition, but that’s not the goal,” she says. “It’s simply a byproduct of staying true to our values and continually raising the bar for what it means to bank with heart.”

With over 30 years at the credit union, Fonseca has overseen its evolution while remaining rooted in its founding values. Her vision isn’t growth for the sake of growth; it’s thoughtful progress, always centered on members.

“Technology will keep moving forward, but how we show up will never change,” she says. “Smarter banking doesn’t just mean better rates or faster apps; it means leading with compassion, acting with integrity, and understanding that sometimes the most powerful thing a financial institution can do is care.”

This belief has carried Logix from a Lockheed breakroom during the Great Depression to being one of California’s most trusted credit unions.

With over 250,000 members and nearly $10 billion in assets, the credit union’s mission remains centered on trust, mutual support, and putting people first.

“We’ve stood by our members in times of crisis and times of growth, and we’ll be here for whatever comes next,” Fonseca concludes. “We are ready to help our members thrive—through every season.”