NORTHRIDGE, Calif. – Hundreds of members of the campus community gathered on the west patio of Redwood Hall on Tuesday, Apr. 11 to celebrate the next phase in the partnership between CSUN and Premier America Credit Union.

After announcing the formal partnership in March of 2022, the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Premier America Credit Union Arena was the next step in celebrating the 10-year, multifaceted partnership agreement with Premier America Credit Union. The long-term commitment supports events and programs that benefit students and alumni and includes the renaming of the university's athletics facility after the company.

In addition to renaming the Matadome — home to CSUN's men's and women's basketball and volleyball teams —  to the Premier America Credit Union Arena. The partnership also includes Premier America being designated the "Official Credit Union of CSUN," the "exclusive" credit union partner of CSUN Athletics and the CSUN Alumni Association, and the official affinity credit card provider for the alumni association. 

"We are tremendously grateful for Premier America Credit Union's leadership and our partnership,  which is now in its second year," said CSUN President Erika D. Beck. "PACU complements our role in uplifting students, families and the communities we so proudly serve, aligned with our commitment to investing in our students as the leaders of the future."

Founded in 1957, Premier America is one of the nation's largest credit unions, with more than 100,000 members and more than $3.4 billion in assets. Premier America's relationship with CSUN was secured in concert with multiple parties, including LEARFIELD (CSUN Athletics' multimedia rightsholder), ADC Partners and Innovative Partnerships Group. LEARFIELD's local Matador Sports Properties works closely with the athletics administration.

The partnership between Premier America and CSUN includes the opening of a campus credit union branch and the installation of ATM machines, hosting of financial wellness and literacy programming, and the sponsorship of various student and campus events. Premier America also will sponsor events at CSUN's Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts (The Soraya), as well as other events in coordination with the CSUN Alumni Association.
 
"When this partnership launched a couple years ago, it was really a vision that started when I became CEO back in 2017," said Premier America President and CEO Rudy Pereira. "This is really a full-circle moment for me, from graduating from CSUN to having the privilege and honor of being the CEO of Premier America to now being able to partner with CSUN is really fantastic.
 
"Thank you to President Beck for trusting us and believing that we were value-aligned in serving our students, community and our members while really fulfilling our purpose as a credit union which is making it easier to meet today's needs and reach tomorrow's dreams."

In addition to the renaming of the athletics facility, Premier America Credit Union's name will be displayed prominently on the court, and the credit union will sponsor games during basketball, volleyball and baseball seasons.

Premier America is a full-service community financial institution that offers exceptional banking to more than 100,000 Member-Owners. Member-Owners benefit from personal service, great savings rates, low fees, low loan rates and a full complement of savings, lending, wealth management, and insurance services. Founded in 1957, Premier America is one of the nation's largest credit unions, with more than $3.4 billion in assets. With 20 retail branches, access to over 30,000+ surcharge-free ATMs through the CO-OP ATM Network; and the CU Service Center Shared Branch Network, Premier America provides financial services to those who live, work, worship or attend school in the Ventura and Los Angeles counties of California, and Harris County in Texas. To learn more about Premier America, please visit www.PremierAmerica.com. 
 

One of the largest universities in the country, California State University, Northridge (CSUN) is an urban, comprehensive university that delivers award-winning undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 38,000 students annually and counts nearly 390,000 alumni who fuel the region's economy. Since its founding in 1958, CSUN has made a significant and long-term economic impact on California, generating nearly $1.9 billion in economic impact and nearly 12,000 jobs each year. The university's learning environment is the third-most diverse in the nation, according to The Wall Street Journal/Times Himes Higher Education College Ranking. CSUN ranks among the top 10 universities in the country for social mobility.

#GoMatadors
 

Gallery: (4-11-2023) Premier America Arena Ribbon Cutting