LawWiki
HomeCodesSearchGlossaryAPIAbout
LawWiki

Plain English summaries of California law with zero-hallucination AI. Every summary is verified against official source text.

Product

  • Search
  • Codes
  • About

Legal

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Disclaimer

© 2026 LawWiki. All rights reserved.

HomeFinancial CodeDiv. 5Ch. 2Art. 1§ 14101 Credit Union Articles Requirements

§ 14101 Credit Union Articles Requirements

Financial Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 14101 Credit Union Articles Requirements

This law tells credit unions what information they must put in their official paperwork (articles of incorporation).

Key Takeaways

  • •The name must contain the phrase “credit union.”
  • •The purpose must say the corporation will do credit‑union business and any other lawful activities.
  • •The filing must list the initial agent for service of process, at least five directors, and the street (and mailing, if different) address.
  • •Existing credit unions had to add the purpose statement by Dec. 31 2003, and the board alone could approve that change.

Example

A group wants to start a new credit union in California.

When they file their paperwork, they have to write a name that includes the words “credit union,” a purpose statement saying they will do credit‑union business and other legal activities, the address of their first legal agent, at least five directors with their addresses, and the credit union’s street (and mailing, if different) address. If they were already a credit union before this law, they also had to add the purpose statement by Dec. 31 2003, and the board could approve that change on its own.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 14101 Credit Union Articles Requirements

The articles of incorporation of every credit union shall set forth the following: (a) The name of the corporation, which shall include the phrase “credit union.” (b) (1) The following statement: The purpose of the corporation is to engage in credit union business and any other lawful activities which are not prohibited to a credit union by applicable laws or regulations. (2) By December 31, 2003, each credit union that immediately prior to the enactment of this section was authorized to operate as a credit union shall amend its articles to comply with the provisions of paragraph (1). Notwithstanding Section 7813.5 of the Corporations Code, the amendment of the articles of a credit union as required by paragraph (1) may be adopted by approval of the board alone. (c) The name and street address in this state of the corporation’s initial agent for service of process in accordance with subdivision (b) of Section 8210 of the Corporations Code. (d) The names and addresses of five or more persons appointed to act as initial directors. (e) The street address of the corporation. (f) The mailing address of the corporation, if different from the street address. (Amended by Stats. 2012, Ch. 494, Sec. 53. (SB 1532) Effective January 1, 2013.)

Last verified: January 11, 2026

Key Terms

articles of incorporationcredit unioncredit union businessboard alone

Related Statutes

  • § 14100 Credit Union Incorporation Rules
  • § 14101.4 Pre-1981 Credit Union Exemption
  • § 14102.4 Credit Union Correction Filing
  • § 18101 Industrial Loan Company Approval
  • § 18101.5 Name Reservation For Corporations

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Financial Code. Section 14101.
View Official Source