For more than 60 years, North Island Financial Credit Union -- The Island -- has been an oasis of friendly faces and welcome services. Billed as "San Diego's Own," it is as homegrown as San Diego's sea spray and sunshine. With that in mind, the credit union recently dropped "Financial" from its name. The lighter name -- North Island Credit Union -- better tracks with the credit union's "Island brand" image.

"One of our goals as a credit union is to make our members' financial lives more easy," said Geri Dillingham, executive vice president of member relations. "We've designed our products, services and processes with this in mind, and it is reflected in our island branch décor and corporate image. Now, our simplified name follows suit."

With the new name comes a new logo.

"The new logo incorporates our streamlined name, with the emphasis on the 'Island.' Three traditional elements from the old logo -- the seagull, sun and western horizon -- were redesigned and arranged on an uncluttered background," Dillingham explained. "In addition, the logo's glowing sunset forecasts fair financial weather ahead for all."

North Island Credit Union was founded in San Diego under the name "Naval Air Station San Diego Federal Credit Union" on July 25, 1940, to serve employees of North Island Naval Air Station, their families and any civil service organization. It became North Island Federal Credit Union in 1966.

"To most members, the change from Federal to Financial with our state charter conversion in 2000 caused confusion, with most people still referring to us as 'Federal'," Dillingham said. "Additionally, our previous logo was designed nearly 17 years ago and was in need of a fresh look more consistent with the island brand. Now the new name and logo convey our commitment to keep financial business easy and worry-free."

The new name and logo were created in a collaborative effort by Marcia Buchalter of Buchalter Consulting in La Mesa, Julie Hook of The Hook Agency in Costa Mesa and Sven Igawa of Igawa Design in Long Beach. The new image will be introduced in phases over the next six months, beginning with a series of print ads.

About North Island Credit Union

North Island Credit Union currently serves more than 130,000 members from 11 branch locations throughout San Diego County, and ranks as the 46th largest credit union in the nation and the 10th largest in California with $1.2 billion in assets. The credit union has branches in downtown San Diego, South Bay, Serra Mesa, Mira Mesa, Vista, Scripps Poway, Imperial Beach, Chula Vista, El Cajon, NAS North Island and La Mesa. Call (800) 848-5654 for additional information or visit www.myisland.com.

Submitted by North Island Credit Union