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Sandia Laboratory Federal Credit Union
Work Here?
Member-owned credit union offering financial services
Sandia Laboratory Federal Credit Union
Work Here?
Member-owned credit union offering financial services
Overview
Sunward is a member-owned financial cooperative offering checking, savings, mortgages, auto loans, and investment services to individuals and businesses. It serves through 12 New Mexico branches, one in Livermore, California, and online, with membership open to everyone. As a federally insured credit union (NCUA) and Equal Housing Lender, Sunward emphasizes member relationships and community impact over profits. Its goal is to help members realize their dreams and secure their financial futures, summarized as “Banking Made Better.”
About Sandia Laboratory Federal Credit Union
Industries
Financial Services
Company Size
201-500
Company Stage
N/A
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Founded
1948
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- March 2026 promotions created a Chief Lending Officer role after historic loan growth.
- Sunward reported 35% average loan portfolio growth over two years and record monthly funding.
- May 2026 CFO Mateo Ficco and June 2026 Uptown Albuquerque branch signal momentum.
What critics are saying
- Rapid expansion from 15 to 16 locations strains integration, staffing, and member experience through 2026.
- Aggressive lending, including no-PMI mortgages, raises credit losses if Southwest housing weakens.
- If growth stalls, bigger credit unions can outprice Sunward and force consolidation by 2027.
What makes Sandia Laboratory Federal Credit Union unique
- Sunward combines Albuquerque roots with 16 branches across New Mexico, California, and Colorado.
- It won Mountain America’s Albuquerque transfer in March 2025, proving acquisition discipline.
- Its 5% down mortgage and solar loan program target Southwest homebuyers directly.
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Benefits
Flexible Work Hours
Company News
Members now get more funds to pay for eligible purchases over timeALBUQUERQUE, N.M., June 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As more people look to credit unions they know and trust to help navigate their financial needs, Sunward Federal Credit Union (Sunward) announced today that it has added Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) to its suite of online banking products in an effort to meet members' shifting payment preferences.Serving over 165,000 members across 16 locations across the Southwest and in California, Sunward is the first New Mexico-based credit union to launch BNPL for its members
A Media Snippet accompanying this announcement is available by clicking on this link. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., Nov. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sunward, formerly known as Sandia Laboratory Federal Credit Union, and Mountain America Credit Union announced today that after a favorable vote by transitioning Mountain America Credit Union members, the previously announced proposed acquisition is proceeding with a targeted completion in the first quarter of 2025. “We are excited to welcome members and employees from Mountain America Credit Union to Sunward,” said Steph Sherrodd, Sunward President and CEO. “This addition will strengthen our position and ability to deliver on our goal of making banking better in the Southwest, and in New Mexico specifically.” Upon finalization, Sunward will acquire both Mountain America Credit Union branches in Albuquerque, New Mexico – Golf Course Road and Paseo Del Norte Boulevard – increasing Sunward’s total branch footprint to 15 locations. “I am confident that Sunward will be an excellent financial partner for our members,” said Sterling Nielsen, Mountain America Credit Union President and CEO
Sandia Laboratory Federal Credit Union is Hiring for 26 Jobs on Simplify!
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About Sandia Laboratory Federal Credit Union
Industries
Financial Services
Company Size
201-500
Company Stage
N/A
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Founded
1948
Sandia Laboratory Federal Credit Union is Hiring for 26 Jobs on Simplify!
Find jobs on Simplify and start your career today