The History of RBFCU
A timeline of Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union’s historical highlights
1950s | 1960s | 1970s | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | 2010s | 2020s
1950s
• September 1952 — Randolph Federal Credit Union opens on Randolph Air Force Base with nine members and $45 in deposits. The charter is approved on Oct. 6, 1952 by the Bureau of Federal Credit Unions, the federal governing body at the time. Charter members include:
- Leon L. Brown
- David F. Gilbert
- R.H. Macklin
- Samuel W. Newman
- Curt W. Oesterling
- R.F. Pancoast
- James B. Rawlings Jr.
- Robert C. Selbert
- Howard G. Shidal
• July 1954 — A fire destroys the credit union and the financial records. The credit union is moved and the financial records restored.
• August 1959 — The field of membership is amended to include Brooks Air Force Base and the Brooks Branch is opened.
1960s
• 1960 — Randolph reaches its first $1 million in assets.
• Oct. 25, 1961 — The credit union's name is changed from Randolph Federal Credit Union to Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union (RBFCU).
1970s
• 1971 — RBFCU reaches $20 million in assets.
• July 1975 — RBFCU merges with Comal Federal Credit Union of New Braunfels and the New Braunfels Branch opens in Landa Plaza. It’s the first expansion of the credit union in 16 years.
• September 1975 — The first Checking Account, called a Share Draft Account, is opened.
• February 1976 — The Randolph Main Office is moved into building #290 at Harmon Drive on Randolph AFB.
• January 1977 — RBFCU receives the 1976 Excellence in Architecture Award for the design of the Randolph Main Office Branch.
• December 1977 — The first ATM called Totie Teller is installed at the Randolph Branch.
• December 1978 — The Windcrest Branch opens on Walzem Road in the city of Windcrest, with the credit union's first drive-thru teller window. In 1981, the branch moves into a new building constructed at 8200 Windway.
1980s
• December 1981 — RBFCU reaches $100 million in assets and 50,000 members.
• October 1984 — The NACON Branch opens. In 1989, the branch moves to a larger facility.
• January 1987 — Randy M. Smith, who joined the RBFCU staff as Vice President of Finance in 1982, is named President and Chief Executive Officer. He is a veteran of 27 years in active and reserve duty in the Air Force, and has a background in public accounting.
• November 1987 — The Live Oak Branch opens with the credit union's first drive-up ATM and safe deposit boxes.
• September 1988 — The credit union's first voice-response system called "Tammie" is introduced.
• January 1989 — The Summit Branch opens at Summit Parkway and Loop 410 in its temporary home in the Corporate Square Building in San Antonio. In August 1990, the branch moves to its current location next door.
• April 1989 — The National Association of Federally-Insured Credit Unions (NAFCU) names RBFCU Board Chairman Walter Creswell Jr. its 1988 Volunteer of the Year.
• December 1989 — St. Luke’s Federal Credit Union merges with RBFCU, making RBFCU the 44th largest financial cooperative in the country.
1990s
• 1990 — RBFCU introduces the "star and contrails" as the credit union’s corporate logo. The star represents our credit union and its history and future as a rising star. The star is also representative of the planter in Washington Circle on Randolph AFB, near our founding branch on the base. The contrails are symbolic of our rising stature as a credit union, while also honoring our Air Force origin.
• April 17, 1990 — The San Marcos Branch opens in a shopping center at Highway 80 and Bugg Lane, following a merger with San Marcos Federal Credit Union.
• June 1991 — The CashBack Mastercard® credit card is introduced.
• August 1991 — The Windcrest Branch relocates to the Interchange Building and is renamed the Walzem Branch. The administrative offices, originally located in the Randolph Branch, open at the Walzem Branch.
• January 1993 — The New Braunfels Branch relocates to the Executive Plaza Building on IH-35 North, adding more staff, safe deposit boxes, drive-thru teller lanes and ATMs.
• June 1993 — RBFCU welcomes the credit union's 100,000th member.
• July 1993 — RBFCU is named a Distinguished Air Force Credit Union by the U.S. Air Force.
• December 1993 — The Seguin Branch opens in the Plaza del Rey Shopping Center.
• 1994 — RBFCU begins offering vehicle buyer’s checks for use in the United States and overseas to help members save time and money when purchasing a vehicle.
• August 1994 — The 281 Branch opens in the Park Oaks Shopping Center in San Antonio.
• October 1995 — RBFCU enters the Austin market after a merger with Central Texas Catholic Credit Union, adding about 2,500 members. Two new branches open in North Austin: the Central Texas Branch at 41st Street and Marathon, and the North Lamar Branch at 9800 North Lamar.
• January 1996 — RBFCU is granted a community charter for the city of Seguin, Texas.
• July 1996 — NAFCU names RBFCU its 1995 Federal Credit Union of the Year.
• August 1996 — RBFCU is granted a community charter for the city of San Marcos, Texas.
• September 1996 — The
San Marcos Branch relocates to a new building at 1203 Thorpe Lane.
• August 1997 — The Plan America® Program (now known as Members Financial Services) is introduced to credit union members to assist them with their insurance and investments needs.
• Oct. 20, 1997 — The Schertz Branch opens, easing congestion at the Live Oak and Randolph branches and serving hundreds of new-housing residents who moved into the FM 3009 and IH-35 area.
• July 1998 — RBFCU welcomes the credit union's 150,000th member.
• August 1998 — President Bill Clinton signed H.R. 1151, the Credit Union Membership Access Act. This credit union-saving legislation protects consumers' rights to join credit unions.
• October 1998 — RBFCU President and CEO Randy M. Smith receives CUNA Mutual's highest honor, the Roy F. Bergengren Award, for the leadership demonstrated in the battle to enact H.R. 1151 as a member of the Oversight Task Force of the Credit Union Campaign for Consumer Choice.
• April 1999 — NetBranch Online is introduced as a fully interactive online branch that allows members to transact their financial business using a computer.
• July 1999 — NAFCU names RBFCU Vice Chairman Frederick B. Walters its 1998 Volunteer of the Year.
• August 1999 — The Brooks Branch marks its 40th anniversary.
• October 1999 — The NACON Branch relocates to 12307 Nacogdoches Road and is renamed the Thousand Oaks Branch. Its grand opening is celebrated on Nov. 16.
• November 1999 — The Seguin Branch relocates to a new building at 1600 E. Court Street. Its grand opening is celebrated on Jan. 19, 2000.
• December 1999 — The Mission South Branch opens to serve members living in South San Antonio and the surrounding area.
2000s
• February 2000 — RBFCU introduces the Member Reward program, which allows merchants to offer discounts to credit union members.
• June 2000 — The credit union marks the opening of the 100,000th member checking account.
• July 2000 — RBFCU celebrates the 25th anniversary of the New Braunfels Branch and announces the construction of a second branch, scheduled to open in 2001.
• August 2000 — RBFCU breaks ground for the second New Braunfels branch at Highway 46 and Oak Run.
• September 2000 — RBFCU introduces the Freedom Check Card.
• October 2000 — RBFCU breaks ground for a San Antonio branch at Walzem Road and FM 78.
• December 2000 — RBFCU is granted an underserved area charter for the South San Antonio area, defined by IH-10 to the north, South Loop 410 to the east and south, and IH-35 to the west. The area encompasses all of Brooks AFB and the surrounding community.
• December 2000 — RBFCU purchases 20 acres in Live Oak, Texas, with plans to use the property to build new credit union headquarters.
• February 2001 — The Mission South Branch celebrates its first anniversary, and the credit union formally announces its South San Antonio membership expansion initiative.
• February 2001 — A second location in New Braunfels, the Oak Run Branch, opens. Its grand opening is celebrated on March 21.
• February 2001 — The Randolph Brooks Services Group, LLC (RBSG) is introduced to offer members investment, insurance and other services. RBSG is a wholly-owned subsidiary of RBFCU.
• July 2001 — RBFCU is selected as the 2000 Air Force Association's Organization of the Year.
• August 2001 — RBFCU is granted an underserved area charter for Caldwell and Wilson counties.
• September 2001 — The Woodlake Branch opens in San Antonio. Its grand opening is celebrated on Oct. 17, and a community day, complete with pumpkin patch, is held on Oct. 20.
• January 2002 — RBFCU announces its 50th anniversary celebration, featuring branch commemorations throughout the year to thank members for their membership and unmatched loyalty. RBFCU is nearly 200,000 members strong with $1.6 billion in assets, and 16 branches located in South and Central Texas.
• March 2002 — RBFCU breaks ground on a third Austin branch at 205 S. Congress Ave. and Highway 290.
• April 2002 — RBFCU reaches $1 billion in loans.
• April 2002 — RBFCU welcomes the credit union’s 200,000th member, Candace B., a first grade student from Seguin, Texas. Candace was awarded $304.11, the equivalent to dividends paid on $200,000 for a 30-day period, based on the current savings account rate.
• June 2002 — The Lockhart Branch opens in Caldwell County. Its grand opening is celebrated on July 24, and a community day is held on July 27.
• July 2002 — RBFCU receives approval to expand its original South San Antonio area and extend membership to residents who live in South Bexar County.
• September 2002 — RBFCU breaks ground for its Administrative Service Center (ASC) in Live Oak.
• Dec. 31, 2002 — The Ben White Branch opens in Austin. Its grand opening is celebrated on Feb. 5, 2003.
• March 2003 — RBFCU was granted a designation to serve a defined area of South Austin and extend membership to residents living there.
• March 2003 — RBFCU introduced the Vehicle Protection Package, which provides protection against the high costs associated with vehicle repairs. The program includes Major Mechanical Protection (MMP), Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP) Advantage and Payment Protection Insurance.
• April 2003 — RBFCU is granted a designation to serve a defined area of Central Austin.
• April 2003 — RBFCU breaks ground for a San Antonio branch at Bandera Road and Loop 1604.
• May 2003 — RBFCU breaks ground for a San Antonio branch at Rigsby and Loop 410 South.
• May 19, 2003 — The Central Texas Branch relocates to a new building at 3110 N. Lamar Blvd. and 32nd Street. It is renamed the Seton Branch, in honor of our sponsor, the Seton Healthcare Network. Its grand opening is celebrated on June 18.
• June 2003 — RBFCU breaks ground for a branch in Floresville to serve members in Wilson County.
• August 2003 — The Platinum Mastercard credit card and Star Points (powered by ScoreCardSM) are introduced. The program allows redemption of points earned for airline tickets, merchandise and gift certificates.
• Oct. 18, 2003 — RBFCU opens its Floresville Branch. Its grand opening and community day is held on Nov. 8.
• Nov. 24, 2003 — RBFCU opens its Bandera Pointe Branch in San Antonio. Its grand opening is celebrated on Jan. 28, 2004.
• December 2003 — RBFCU becomes one of the first credit unions in Texas to introduce Home Equity Lines of Credit.
• January 2004 — The electronic bill payment service known as ePay is introduced, which allows credit union members to pay bills using NetBranch Online.
• Jan. 5, 2004 — RBFCU opens the Rigsby Branch in San Antonio. Its grand opening and community day is held on March 6.
• Feb. 8-22, 2004 — The Administrative Service Center (ASC) in Live Oak opens for phased employee move-in over three weekends. The headquarters is dedicated with a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 2, and a member and employee celebration called "An Evening Under the Live Oak Trees" is held on June 26.
• April 2004 — RBFCU’s value-added checking account, Premier Checking, is introduced. It offers an assortment of money-saving travel perks.
• December 2004 — The online version of member statements known as eStatements is introduced. It includes access to past statements (up to six months) with links to newsletters and other important credit union information.
• January 2005 — Randolph Brooks Title Company, LLC (RBTC) is introduced to offer title settlement services to buyers, sellers, builders, mortgage lenders and other real estate professionals for property in Texas.
• March 2005 — The Financial Education Program is introduced to establish RBFCU as a recognized leader in providing financial education to high school students, as well as alternative and adult community programs.
• September 2005 — RBFCU is approved as a Small Business Administration (SBA) Lender to serve the borrowing needs of members who own small businesses.
• Sept. 14, 2005 — RBFCU breaks ground for a Buda Branch to serve members in Central Texas and the surrounding IH-35 corridor communities.
• Oct. 12, 2005 — RBFCU breaks ground for a branch in New Braunfels at 994 IH-35 South at Lakefront Blvd. (near Kohl’s) to continue serving members living in Comal County and surrounding communities. The closure of the branch in Executive Plaza at 555 IH-35 South is planned upon completion.
• Feb. 22, 2006 — RBFCU breaks ground for the new Brooks Branch, which will relocate from the branch at Brooks City-Base to City Base Landing Plaza, a commercial development at S.E. Military Drive and Goliad Road.
• March 23, 2006 — RBFCU signs a lease for a branch in the Rockwood Village Shopping Center, 8620 Burnet Road, in Austin. The North Lamar Branch will relocate to this location from 9800 N. Lamar Blvd.
• April 3, 2006 — RBFCU reaches $2 billion in member deposits.
• August 2006 — RBFCU introduces a youth account, the Super Stars, the mascots of which are a brother and sister from a family of superheroes who go on adventures with their friends and teach the value of saving.
• Sept. 18, 2006 — The North Lamar Branch is relocated to the Rockwood Village Shopping Center at 8620 Burnet Road in Austin and is renamed the Rockwood Branch. Its grand opening is celebrated Nov. 10.
• Sept. 25, 2006 — The Brooks Branch relocates to the City Base Landing Shopping Center at 3181 Goliad Road and S.E. Military Drive. Its grand opening is celebrated on Oct. 18.
• Oct. 10, 2006 — The New Braunfels Branch relocates to 994 IH-35 North, next to Texas MedClinic. Its grand opening is held on Jan. 25, 2007.
• December 2006 — Randolph Brooks Services Group, LLC reaches more than $100 million in assets.
• December 2006 — Credit union members seeking loans for their small business ventures are given a new outlet for funding as RBFCU begins offering SBA loans.
• Jan. 18, 2007 — RBFCU opens the Buda Branch. The opening was scheduled for Jan. 16, but delayed due to hazardous winter weather. Its grand opening and community day is held March 10.
• February 2007 — RBFCU introduces the 10 cents cash-back program for the Freedom Check Card, which gives members 10 cents cash back on all debit card purchases. Members earned $2,803,720.20 by the first payout in February 2008.
• Feb. 28, 2007 — RBFCU welcomes its 250,000th member, Joe N., at our Gold Canyon Branch, and presents him with a $250 RBFCU Mastercard gift card.
• April 29, 2007 — RBFCU introduces Check Imaging to its members, allowing them to view cleared checks from April 4 using NetBranch Online. For checks prior to that date, members were asked to call our Member Service Center.
• May 15, 2007 — During a special meeting, members of the Guadalupe Valley Federal Credit Union in Gonzales, Texas, overwhelmingly approve a merger with RBFCU effective July 1. RBFCU begins serving Gonzales members at a branch at 825 E. Sarah DeWitt Drive.
• May 21, 2007 — RBFCU receives approval from the NCUA to serve those who live, work, worship or attend school in West San Antonio as an underserved area. The RBFCU Board of Directors officially accepts approval on June 26.
• August 2007 — To mark RBFCU's excellence in meeting the borrowing needs of members' small businesses, the SBA designates the credit union as both an SBA Preferred Lender and an SBA Express Lender.
• Aug. 28, 2007 — The RBFCU Board of Directors officially accepts the approval of two new underserved areas. The NCUA granted RBFCU approval to serve those who live, work, worship or attend school in Gonzales County on Aug. 8, and the city of Kerrville on Aug. 21.
• October 2007 — Member Business Lending, LLC, bestows its American Eagle Award on RBFCU for “Top Loan Production by a New MBL Participating Credit Union.” For the fiscal year Oct. 1, 2006 to Sept. 30, 2007, RBFCU approved 76 Small Business Administration loans for $3.1 million.
• Oct. 6, 2007 — On its 55th anniversary, RBFCU has assets exceeding $2.6 billion, more than 255,000 members and 24 branches. The credit union also announces a $55,000 giveaway, awarding $1,000 to 55 members.
• Nov. 13, 2007 — RBFCU opens the Gonzales Branch. A ribbon-cutting ceremony and community day are held Feb. 9, 2008.
• Dec. 12, 2007 — RBFCU opens the Northcliffe Branch in Schertz. Its grand opening and community day is held on Feb. 23, 2008.
• Jan. 28, 2008 — RBFCU opens the Wonder World Branch in San Marcos. Its grand opening and community day is held on March 8.
• February 2008 — Randolph-Brooks Real Estate Center sets an all-time high by closing $34,339,000 in real estate loans.
• February 2008 — RBFCU presents $1,000 to the 1,000th Buda Branch member Vangie C. This campaign began in June 2007 with newspaper ads in the Kyle-Buda Eagle and Hays Free Press to promote membership.
• February 2008 — RBFCU awards 55 members $1,000 each, for a total of $55,000 to mark the 55th birthday of RBFCU observed in October 2007. The winners, chosen from more than 452,000 entries, include Cruz A., Pam A., Lee B., Janice C., Karen C., Mariann C., Richard C., Timothy C., Gregory D., Yolanda D., Jennifer E., Charlene G., Jose G., Sonya H., Austin K., Freddie K., C.J. L., Maria L., Carole M., Chad M., Jill M., Julio M., Maxine M., Mozelle M., Robert N., Carl P., Laura R., Thomas R., Bertha S., Gabriel S., Rebecca S., Sharon S., Cynthia T., Jennifer T., Guadalupe V., Antonette W., John W. and Pauline Y. NOTE: Some winners wished to remain anonymous.
• Feb. 27, 2008 — RBFCU opens the Kerrville Branch. Its grand opening and community day is held on April 12.
• Feb. 29, 2008 — RBFCU reaches $3 billion in assets.
• March 2008 — The Real Estate Center exceeds $100 million in mortgage loans with escrow since their introduction in July 2005.
• March 24, 2008 — RBFCU opens the Potranco Branch, serving the West San Antonio field of membership and surrounding areas. Its grand opening and community day is held on May 17.
• May 2008 — RBFCU is named the top credit union SBA lender in the state of Texas and is ranked third nationally. After 18 months of offering SBA loans, RBFCU had approved more than 140 loans to small businesses for more than $6.5 million.
• Aug. 18, 2008 — RBFCU opens the Bulverde Crossing Branch in Bulverde. Its grand opening and community day is held on Sept. 20.
• Oct. 1, 2008 — RBFCU introduces a third credit card option for members, the Platinum Preferred Rate Mastercard, which offers a lower rate and a possible 1% off for members based on their relationships with the credit union.
• Oct. 6, 2008 — President George W. Bush recognizes Sonya McDonald, RBFCU Vice President of Sales Operations and Marketing, with the President's Volunteer Service Award for her work with Fisher House and Returning Heroes Home, both charitable efforts associated with the military.
• December 2008 — RBFCU starts accepting membership applications online. The feature allows qualified members to join and fund accounts from a computer.
• Dec. 15, 2008 — RBFCU opens the Marshall Road Branch in San Antonio. Its grand opening and community day is held on Jan. 31, 2009.
• May 17-19, 2009 — RBFCU is named the SBA Credit Union Lender of the Year during a conference in Washington, D.C.
• June 2009 — RBFCU receives approval to serve those who live, work, worship or attend school in Central San Antonio as an underserved area.
• August 2009 — The Texas Credit Union League (TCUL) bestows its 2009 Professional of the Year award on RBFCU President and CEO Randy M. Smith for his leadership, integrity and commitment to members, RBFCU and the Credit Union Movement. The award is presented during the TCUL Leadership Conference in San Antonio in September 2009.
• Aug. 10, 2009 — RBFCU opens the North Austin Branch. Its grand opening and community day is held on Sept. 12.
• Aug. 17, 2009 — Leila L. is welcomed as RBFCU’s 300,000th member at the Rigsby Branch and is given a $300 RBFCU Mastercard gift card.
• Aug. 22, 2009 — RBFCU holds a community day to celebrate the 50th birthday of the Brooks Branch, which began serving Brooks AFB military and civilian personnel in South San Antonio on Aug. 5, 1959.
• Oct. 26, 2009 — RBFCU opens the Cedar Park Branch. Its grand opening and community day is held on Jan. 30, 2010.
2010s
• Jan. 19, 2010 — RBFCU opens the IH-10 at UTSA Blvd. Branch in Northwest San Antonio. Its grand opening and community day is held on Feb. 27, 2010.
• March 15, 2010 — RBFCU opens the Boerne Branch.
• April 19, 2010 — RBFCU opens the Lake Creek Branch in Austin. Its grand opening and community day is held on June 5, 2010.
• July 19, 2010 — RBFCU opens the Culebra Branch, continuing its service in Northwest San Antonio and the surrounding area. Its grand opening and community day is held on Sept. 25, 2010.
• July 19, 2010 — RBFCU purchases and takes ownership of a 36,147-square-foot two-building complex in North Austin to establish the Austin ASC.
• Aug. 26, 2010 — RBFCU breaks ground for the second building at the Live Oak ASC.
• Oct. 11, 2010 — RBFCU opens the Bitters Branch in North Central San Antonio. Its grand opening and community day is held on Nov. 6, 2010.
• April 11, 2011 — RBFCU opens the Round Rock Branch. Its grand opening and community day is held on April 30, 2011.
• Aug. 1, 2011 — The Walzem Branch relocates and is renamed the Windcrest Branch. A grand opening and community day is held on Aug. 26, 2011.
• Oct. 3, 2011 — RBFCU relocates the Lockhart Branch. Its grand opening and community day is held on Oct. 29, 2011.
• Oct. 17, 2011 — RBFCU opens the Stone Hill Branch in Pflugerville, Texas. Its grand opening and community day is held on Nov. 5, 2011.
• December 2011 — RBFCU President and CEO Randy M. Smith is inducted into the Credit Union Executive Society’s Hall of Fame.
• March 16-17, 2012 — Employees move in to the second building at the Live Oak ASC in Live Oak.
• March 21, 2012 — RBFCU opens the Steiner Ranch Branch inside a Randalls supermarket store in Austin.
• October 2012 — RBFCU announces that Randy M. Smith will step down as CEO, a position he has held since 1987. Christopher W. O'Connor, who is serving as president, is named as Smith's successor. Under Smith's tenure, RBFCU grew from five branches and $290 million in assets to more than 40 branches and more than $5 billion in assets.
• Dec. 17, 2012 — RBFCU opens the Austin Highway Branch to serve Northeast San Antonio, Alamo Heights and Terrell Hills. Its grand opening is held on Feb. 20, 2013.
• January 2013 — RBFCU creates a $150,000 educational endowment on behalf of Alamo Colleges.
• Aug. 5, 2013 — RBFCU opens the Dripping Springs Branch. Its grand opening and community day is held on Aug. 24.
• Aug. 12, 2013 — RBFCU opens the Floresville Branch, moving services from a modular building to a permanent facility. Its grand opening and community day is held on Oct. 26.
• Sept. 23, 2013 — RBFCU opens the Parmer Lane Branch. Its grand opening and community day is celebrated on Oct. 19.
• Oct. 14, 2013 — RBFCU opens the Southpark Meadows Branch in Austin. Its grand opening and community day is held on Nov. 2.
• Oct. 18, 2013 — Jewel J. becomes RBFCU's 450,000th member when she opens her account at the Seguin Branch (via RMA). Jewel is given a $450 RBFCU Mastercard gift card on Oct. 28.
• Jan. 21, 2014 — RBFCU opens the MoPac Branch in Austin. Its grand opening and community day is held on Feb. 22.
• Feb. 18, 2014 — The Mission South Branch reopens after a remodel adds six Member Service Representative offices, video conferencing, an RB Financial information wall, an electronic member sign-in kiosk, electronic rate and marketing displays, and areas for self service and safe deposit box viewing. Beginning April 7, the remodel is marked with a weeklong celebration, complete with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on April 9.
• March 3, 2014 — RBFCU opens the Broadway Branch in North Central San Antonio. The branch's grand opening is marked with a weeklong celebration beginning April 21, complete with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on April 23.
• April 2014 — Sandra Reeh is named chairwoman of the RBFCU Board of Directors. Reeh, who had previously served as a board member, is the first woman to serve as board chair.
• May 2014 — The Leon Valley Branch opens in the San Antonio area.
• September 2014 — RBFCU opens the Plano Branch, the first in North Texas. The branch, located in Collin County, adds the Dallas area to RBFCU's territory.
• September 2014 — RBFCU expands its presence in the Dallas area with the opening of the Frisco Branch.
• October 2014 — RBFCU adds a third location in the Dallas area when the Allen Branch opens.
• February 2015 — The DNT Eldorado Branch opens along the Dallas North Tollway in Frisco, marking the fourth branch in the area.
• May 11, 2015 — RBFCU opens the Encino Commons Branch on the far North Side of San Antonio. Beginning July 20, the opening is marked with a weeklong celebration, complete with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 23.
• June 2015 — RBFCU opens a third location in New Braunfels, the Creekside Branch.
• July 2015 — Apple Pay® is made available to RBFCU members, and Samsung Pay® is added four months later.
• September 2015 — RBFCU receives the Crystal Performance Reward from Raddon.
• Sept. 8, 2015 — RBFCU opens the Seguin Northwest Branch. A celebration is held Oct. 12-17, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Oct. 14 and a community day on Oct. 17.
• November 2015 — RBFCU surpasses $5 billion in loans.
• November 2015 — RBFCU opens the Kyle Branch in Kyle, Texas.
• February 2016 — Member cash-back rewards surpass $10 million in 2015 through debit card transactions with the no-annual-fee Freedom Check Card. Members earn 10 cents for each transaction with the debit card, which has added up to more than $60 million in cash-back rewards since the program’s inception in 2007.
• April 2016 — RBFCU's Christopher O’Connor is named CEO of the Year by NAFCU. The award is for the largest credit union classification for institutions with assets of more than $250 million.
• June 2016 — RBFCU surpasses $6 billion in total deposits.
• September 2016 — Medicare Insurance Supplement Plans become available to members through RB Financial in a new program established through RBFCU Services.
• Sept. 27, 2016 — RBFCU breaks ground on the third building at the ASC in Live Oak.
• February 2017 — RBFCU surpasses $6 billion in total loans.
• March 2017 — RB Premier Services and its subsidiaries undergo name changes. RB Premier Services becomes RBFCU Services, RB Financial becomes RBFCU Investments Group, Randolph Brooks Insurance Agency becomes RBFCU Insurance Agency, RB Realty becomes RBFCU Realty, and RB Appraisal becomes RBFCU Appraisal.
• April 2017 — A new program is established through RBFCU Services. Trust Services are offered through RBFCU Investments Group.
• May 9, 2017 — The new RBFCU.org website redesign launches. The user-friendly website offers expanded financial resources and continues to enable credit union members with digital processes through online and mobile platforms.
• July 2017 — The RBFCU CashBack Rewards Mastercard credit card is introduced, offering 2% cash back on all purchases, and quickly becomes recognized as an industry’s “best of class.”
• August 2017 — The RBFCU Board of Directors approves a $1 million donation to relief agencies following the landfall of Hurricane Harvey, including a $500,000 contribution to the American Red Cross. The credit union also announces it will waive or refund fees incurred by members living in FEMA-declared disaster areas.
• November 2017 — The San Antonio Business Journal recognizes RBFCU with the Corporate Philanthropy and Nonprofit Award as a Large Business Honoree.
• January 2018 — RBFCU announces a new partnership with Kuper Sotheby's International Realty. This exclusive partnership will expand the credit union’s realty services even further, recognizing Kuper Sotheby's International Realty as the exclusive real estate brokerage partner for RBFCU members and their families.
• February 2018 — RB Title, one of RBFCU's credit union service organizations, is relaunched as Preserve Title.
• Feb. 5, 2018 — RBFCU opens the Georgetown Branch to continue service and attract new members in the Austin and Central Texas market.
• April 2018 — RBFCU membership passes the 750,000 mark.
• April 2018 — RBFCU Services establishes the RBFCU Retirement Program, a new credit union service organization offering traditional and Roth 403(b) and traditional and Roth 457(b) plans to school employees, school districts and organizations in Texas.
• May 2018 — RBFCU surpasses $7 billion in loans.
• June 2018 — The RBFCU Choice Money Market account is launched, allowing members to earn a higher interest return from lower balances.
• August 2018 — Employees at the credit union form the RBFCU Foundation, which allows employees to contribute to a fund that assists other employees during times of hardship. The RBFCU Board of Directors agrees to match up to $50,000 of employee donations.
• August 2018 — RBFCU is honored for its Business Select Mastercard as a top credit union business reward credit card by CardRates.com.
• Aug. 6, 2018 — RBFCU expands further in North Texas with the opening of the Bedford Branch.
• September 2018 — RBFCU President and CEO Christopher O’Connor is recognized as a top CEO by the San Antonio Business Journal.
• September 2018 — The main campus in Live Oak is almost doubled in size with the opening of the ASC III building. In addition to offering expanded workspace to enable employees to better serve our members, the building has employee amenities such as a health clinic, fitness area, sport court and coffee barista.
• October 2018 — RBFCU announces a merger with Fellowship Credit Union of San Antonio. The agreement allows members of Fellowship to become members of RBFCU by Jan. 2, 2019. Fellowship’s offices were housed in a building that served as RBFCU’s Windcrest Branch from 1981-91.
• Oct. 22, 2018 — RBFCU enters its fourth major market, providing service to members in Corpus Christi and the Coastal Bend with the opening of the Cimarron Branch.
• Oct. 24, 2018 — The redesigned Online Banking is unveiled to members through rbfcu.org. The new platform provides enhanced functionality and optimization on multiple devices and a streamlined experience, making it easier to access your personal account information through modernized navigation.
• Dec. 3, 2018 — RBFCU establishes its sixth location in the Dallas-Fort Worth area since arriving in North Texas in 2014 when the McKinney Branch opens its doors.
• January 2019 — Randolph Brooks Parkway is expanded and renamed IKEA-RBFCU Parkway in anticipation of the opening of the IKEA Home Furnishings Store next door to the Live Oak ASC. IKEA is the anchor tenant of the 112-acre Live Oak Town Center that is located by the ASC.
• February 2019 — Members who hold the RBFCU Freedom Debit Card are paid more than $14 million in cash-back rewards. This pushes the credit union’s debit card rewards to more than $100 million since the program was instituted 11 years ago.
• February 2019 — The San Antonio Business Journal awards Ilene Solis, Senior Vice President of Internal Audit at RBFCU, with its “40 Under 40” recognition. The award celebrated the accomplishments of 40 individuals who have made a mark in their industries and led their communities.
• Feb. 11, 2019 — The 60th RBFCU branch becomes a reality when RBFCU opens its doors in Keller. The new location is the second in Tarrant County following the opening in Bedford six months prior.
• March 2019 — MemberXP names RBFCU one of 2019's "Best of the Best" credit unions based on performance in new account experience for members. MemberXP, based in Denver, is a direct member feedback and survey service that provides marketing research specifically for credit unions.
• March 2019 — The financial-advice website Bankrate.com names RBFCU one of the top 10 credit unions in the United States. Bankrate, which attracts more than 15 million unique visitors each month to the website, comments that the RBFCU Mobile app "offers the biggies, like mobile deposit capture."
• April 2019 — RBFCU opens its second location in Corpus Christi, the Staples Branch. It's a two-floor branch that also houses an RBFCU Services call center and other offices.
• May 2019 — For the second consecutive year, the Austin Business Journal names RBFCU among the "Best Places to Work" in Central Texas.
• July 2019 — The San Antonio Business Journal names RBFCU as the No. 1 "Best Place to Work." The top award is based on employee responses gathered by a third-party survey.
• July 2019 — Forbes recognizes RBFCU as one of "America's Best Employers" and a "Top 5 Credit Union" in Texas. The rankings were based on more than 25,000 surveys sent by the marketing research firm Statista.
• August 2019 — RBFCU President and Chief Executive Officer Christopher O’Connor is named to “The Business Journal Influencers,” which spotlights 100 executives who are having an impact on business being done in communities across the nation.
• October 2019 — RBFCU merges with Express-News Federal Credit Union. The merger followed the announced sale of the San Antonio Express-News’ building in downtown San Antonio, which had been home to the newspaper since 1929.
• November 2019 — For the fourth time in one year, a notable publication recognizes RBFCU as an award-winning workplace. Texas Monthly awards RBFCU as a “Best Companies to Work For” in a list that’s limited to 100 companies in the state.
• December 2019 — RBFCU introduces Enhanced ATMs at branches, providing members accustomed to traditional ATMs an expanded menu of transaction options in drive-thrus and at “walk-up” locations. Members also have the ability to video chat with an RBFCU representative at these ATMs.
2020s
• January 2020 — The Four Points Branch opens in Austin. The new branch is located near the RBFCU branch at Steiner Ranch, which was closed after several years of operation in a Randalls grocery store.
• February 2020 — RBFCU surpasses $10 billion in assets. The credit union announced that employees would receive commemorative shirts and employee appreciation events would be conducted at each RBFCU facility.
• March 2020 — As the World Health Organization declared a global pandemic stemming from the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and governmental authorities responded by ordering shelter-in-place measures that shut down significant sectors of the business community, RBFCU informs members of financial relief designed to help them recover from the economic impact. The programs for eligible members included expanded Skip-A-Pay opportunities, penalty-free certificate withdrawal, waived late fees on some loans and extensions on mortgage loans.
• March 2020 — Infection rates from COVID-19 deepened, and RBFCU temporarily closes lobbies at branch locations as a precautionary measure. Branches are temporarily closed all operations at Allen, Encino Commons, Randolph and San Marcos. Members continue to service their accounts at other locations by using the drive-thru lanes as well as Online Banking and calls to the Member Service Center.
• April 2020 — RBFCU is a participating lender in the U.S. government’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which offers forgivable loans to business owners impacted by the drastic business downturn during the COVID-19 pandemic. The nationwide response caused the federal government to provide more funding to the program less than a month later.
• April 11-12, 2020 — Checks issued to eligible Americans are received via direct deposit into RBFCU member accounts through the CAREs Act, which was passed by Congress during the COVID-19 pandemic. Subsequent direct deposits approved through pandemic-related federal legislation are credited the week of New Year’s Day and again in March 2021.
• April 23, 2020 — The new RBFCU Mobile app, with “Move Money” capability, launches for member use. The “Move Money” feature gives users the ease of transferring, sending or requesting funds seamlessly in a redesigned layout that gives members that ability to apply, close and fund loans in a matter of minutes.
• August 2020 — RBFCU announces that the credit union’s mortgage department has surpassed $1 billion in loans funded. This only includes RBFCU Mortgage and not the Domain Mortgage subsidiary.
• September 2020 — The first members of the RBFCU Diversity Advisory Council are seated. These 11 employees formed a representative cross section in every way at the credit union. RBFCU Executive Vice President-Chief Operating Officer Sonya McDonald announced that this was one way the credit union was taking concrete actions to encourage engagement while promoting diversity, equity and inclusion at every level within RBFCU.
• September 2020 — Reflecting RBFCU’s commitment to military-associated communities across the state, RBFCU is named Civilian Organization of the Year by the Texas Air Force Association. This award followed a nomination by the North Texas-based Seidel Chapter of the Texas AFA.
• Oct. 14, 2020 — The 61st RBFCU branch opens when a location in Portland begins operations. The third RBFCU branch in the Corpus Christi area since service was inaugurated there in October 2018, Portland started serving members in a community where the largest petrochemical plant in the world was under construction after an investment of $10 billion from a group that included ExxonMobil.
• Jan, 7, 2021 — RBFCU starts offering MemberSafe for additional personal identity theft protection. MemberSafe continues the same features that were popular with IDProtect+ and includes additional benefits such as tools to plot credit scores, factors that provide insight into events that may have caused the score to change, a credit score simulator and cellphone protection.
• April 2021 — Readers of the San Antonio Express-News name RBFCU as the best credit union in the YOUR SA Readers’ Choice Awards. Additionally, the Express-News lists RBFCU as one of the top mortgage lenders, and RBFCU’s partner, Kuper Sotheby’s International Realty, is named a top real estate company.
• April 2021 — For the third-straight year, MemberXP names RBFCU one of the 2021 Best of the Best award winners. In addition to Best of the Best, Member XP also awards RBFCU for Best New Member Experience, Best New Account Experience and Best Transaction Experience based on 2020 performance measures. MemberXP, a member experience solution of CU Solutions Group, is a credit union platform that allows members to provide immediate feedback on the service they receive.
• April 2021 — RBFCU members are able to enact automatic transfers and increase their savings through the Round Up program. Enrolled members deposit more than $1 million into eligible linked accounts in the first six months of the program. Every transaction with a Freedom Debit Card is rounded up to the next dollar, with the difference automatically deposited from their checking account into a linked RBFCU account.
• June 9, 2021 — An agreement is announced where Ameriprise Financial will become broker-dealer of the RBFCU Investments Group. With $850 million in combined brokerage under management, RBFCU members are given access to expanded financial planning services through Ameriprise.
• July 2021 — In its “America’s Best Credit Unions in Each State” publication, Forbes names RBFCU as the No. 1 credit union in Texas. The rankings are determined by Statista, a third-party vendor who surveyed more than 25,000 credit union customers across the nation. Credit unions were scored on overall recommendations, satisfaction, trust, services and more.
• Aug. 6, 2021 — For the second time in three years, RBFCU is the No. 1 “Best Places to Work” as recognized by the San Antonio Business Journal. In accepting the award on behalf of the credit union, Executive Vice President/Chief Financial Officer Mark Sekula says “Winning it twice in the last three years reinforces our culture we try to build and develop and maintain because we know our employees are our greatest asset day in and day out.”
• October 2021 — The RBFCU Member Giveback Sweepstakes begins awarding
a $100 prize each to 70,000 members chosen by random drawing as the credit union commemorates the start of its 70th year of service. Eligible members receive one entry each for up to six products in which they are enrolled over three entry periods.
• Oct. 9, 2021 — The landmark of 1 million members at RBFCU is celebrated when 17-year-old Cynthia C. is recognized as being the millionth member and is awarded $100 at the Mission South Branch in San Antonio. RBFCU becomes the ninth credit union to serve more than 1 million members, capping a seven-year period for RBFCU when membership doubled.
• Oct. 22, 2021 — For the 10th-straight year, RBFCU is recognized by the San Antonio Express-News as a "Top Workplace." There were 12 finalists in the large category with the Express-News listing RBFCU as a Top 5 employer.
• Nov. 10, 2021 — For the fourth consecutive year and fifth time in the past six years, the Austin-American-Statesman names RBFCU a “Top Workplace.” RBFCU is recognized in the midsize business category with 150-499 employees.
• Nov. 29, 2021 — RBFCU expands service in a busy area when the South San Branch opens as the 62nd location in the RBFCU network. This new location complements the Mission South Branch, which perennially opens more new member accounts than any RBFCU branch.
• January 2022 — RBFCU surpasses $15 billion in assets. This milestone is achieved only two years after surpassing $10 billion in January 2020.
• Feb. 11, 2022 — In addition to being awarded as a Top Workplace in Austin and San Antonio, RBFCU is recognized nationally as a Top Workplace in the U.S. by Energage based on employee comments and feedback.
• Feb. 25, 2022 — Bankrate names RBFCU a Top Ten Credit Union in the U.S. based on outstanding products and services including checking accounts and competitive money market accounts.
• March 9, 2022 — For the fourth consecutive year, RBFCU wins MemberXP 2022 Best of the Best Award with recognition in three additional categories including: Best New Member Experience, Best New Account Experience and Best Transaction Experience based on 2021 performance measures. MemberXP, a member experience solution of CU Solutions Group, is a credit union platform that allows members to provide immediate feedback on the service they receive.
• March 27, 2022 — A year after being named “best credit union,” RBFCU is named “No. 1 Best Bank Choice” in the YourSA readers’ poll published by the San Antonio Express-News.
• March 30, 2022 — RBFCU announces that Edward Polansky is the new Chair of the Board of Directors , replacing Sandra Reeh. Mr. Polansky started his volunteer service on the RBFCU board in 2000. Mrs. Reeh, the first woman to serve as Chair at RBFCU, announced she would remain on the board. With Mrs. Reeh as Chair starting in 2014 and Mr. Polansky on the board, RBFCU reached several milestones such as expansion into Dallas-Fort Worth and Corpus Christi, a full rbfcu.org and Online Banking redesign, navigation through the COVID pandemic, and surpassing 1 million members.
• June 7, 2022 — Collin County’s Community Garden Kitchen receives a $5,000 donation from RBFCU. This marks five years of partnership and a total of $25,000 in contributions from the credit union. The Community Garden Kitchen began operations in the spring with the mission of serving free meals to the underserved community of Collin County.
• June 13, 2022 — RBFCU highlights local charities in a co-branded donation site with Mastercard. This platform allows members to easily and securely donate to local charities.
• June 20, 2022 — Scholarships totaling $9,750 are awarded to 13 San Antonio-area students through RBFCU’s Youth Ambassador Program . Program leaders Jennifer Crawford and Michelle Herrera conducted a weeklong program teaching the students the importance of financial literacy to help prepare them for their financial journey after high school.
• June 29, 2022 — RBFCU receives the Crystal Performance Award during the Raddon CEO Forum, which is designated for the top 10 performing credit unions in the country. The award is based on Raddon’s in-depth analysis of the credit union’s operations.
• June 30, 2022 — Austin Business Journal names RBFCU a “Best Place to Work” in Central Texas for the fourth time in the last five years. This also marks the second-straight year that RBFCU makes the Top 10.
• Oct. 21, 2022 — For the 11th consecutive year, RBFCU is recognized by the San Antonio Express-News as a “Top Workplace.” The credit union also received additional recognition on a national level as Top Workplaces for: Appreciation, Employee Well-Being and Professional Development.
• Nov. 7, 2022 — In addition to being awarded as a Top Workplace in San Antonio, RBFCU is recognized by the Austin American-Statesman as a “Top Workplace” in Austin and Central Texas for the fifth year in a row. The award is based on confidential employee surveys.
• Dec. 1, 2022 — RBFCU launches a “Digital Library” that provides members with free access to cybersecurity training videos. These “Privacy & Security Videos” are available to members when they sign in to their profiles and check the “Security Center” through Online Banking and the RBFCU Mobile app.
• Dec. 9, 2022 — For the third year in a row, RBFCU is nominated for the San Antonio Business Journal’s “Fast Track” Award. The program recognizes private companies in the area that had the greatest increase in revenue from 2019-21.
• January 2023 — RBFCU Mastercard Credit Cards are updated to include a new design and enhanced card security. Newly designed cards also included Tap & Go® contactless payment, great rewards and fun benefits.
• March 2023 — For the fifth year in a row, RBFCU is recognized as “Best of the Best” among high-performing credit unions using MemberXP’s service evaluation platform.
• April 2023 — In partnership with GreenPath, RBFCU introduces Lea, a virtual financial coach available to members, employees and their families. Virtual financial coaching has a user-friendly, on-screen click to access on rbfcu.org, and it’s one more tool that’s available for RBFCU members to help improve their economic well-being and quality of life.
• May 10, 2023 — RBFCU receives recognition for Top Workplaces’ Cultural Excellence in all five award categories including Compensation & Benefits, Innovation, Leadership, Purpose & Values and Work-Life Flexibility. Results for Top Workplaces are based on employee feedback captured by the anonymous surveys provided by Energage.
• June 23, 2023 — For the fifth year, the Austin Business Journal names RBFCU as a “Best Place to Work” in Central Texas. This also marks the third-straight year that RBFCU’s Central Texas operations makes the Top 10.
• June 29, 2023 — Scholarships totaling $12,750 are awarded to 17 San Antonio-area high school students through RBFCU’s Youth Ambassador Program . Program leaders Jennifer Crawford and Michelle Herrera conducted a weeklong program teaching the students the importance of financial literacy to help prepare them for their financial journey after high school.
• July 21, 2023 — The San Antonio Business Journal names RBFCU a “Best Place to Work.” Through anonymous employee responses taken by a third-party survey, the credit union earned the No. 4 spot in the “extra-large” category (500 and more employees).
• Oct. 5, 2023 — For the first time, RBFCU is named “Best Places to Work” by the Dallas Business Journal (this joins “Best Places to Work” honors for RBFCU in the San Antonio Business Journal and the Austin Business Journal). This award is based on employee responses gathered by a third-party survey.
• Oct. 19, 2023 — RBFCU is named a “Top Workplace” by the San Antonio Express-News — marking 12 consecutive years of recognition! RBFCU President/CEO Chris O’Connor receives a Leadership Award.
• Nov. 9, 2023 — The Austin American Statesman names RBFCU a “Top Workplace” for the sixth-straight year.
• Nov. 28, 2023 — RBFCU surpasses $1 billion in business loans. Our expert Business Services Team guides members through the process of securing a loan, but also can help add services that will make their business processes more efficient.
• Nov. 30, 2023 — Mark Sekula is named RBFCU’s next President and Chief Executive Officer . RBFCU’s board of directors announced Sekula would assume those duties in mid-March 2024. Sekula joined RBFCU’s staff in 2000 as vice president of the Consumer Lending department and stepped into an EVP role in 2011. As EVP/CFO, Sekula oversaw RBFCU’s growth past $10 billion in assets, making RBFCU the largest credit union in Texas with more than $17.8 billion in assets and 1 million members.
• Dec. 8, 2023 — For four consecutive years, RBFCU receives San Antonio Business Journal’s “Fast Track” award. The program recognizes private companies in the area that had the greatest revenue increase from 2020 to 2022.
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