Valley First Credit Union Names Betina Marcelo as New Chief Lending Officer

Valley First Credit Union has appointed Betina Marcelo as Chief Lending Officer, a strategic hire aimed at bolstering its lending operations and community impact. For fintech professionals, this move signals a focus on specialized loan products and operational efficiency within the credit union sector, particularly as institutions navigate a challenging mortgage market and rising interest rates.

What was announced

Betina Marcelo, also known as Tina, joins Valley First with a career in lending dating back to 2002, including nearly 13 years specifically within the credit union space. Her most recent tenure was at Pacific Service Credit Union in Concord, California, where she managed lending and operations. During her time there, Marcelo was instrumental in forming a strategic alliance to acquire construction-to-permanent and renovation home equity loans. This initiative addressed a significant market gap caused by limited property inventory and high mortgage rates, providing a viable alternative to traditional first mortgage originations. Furthermore, she secured Freddie Mac approval for the institution, which expanded its lending reach and bolstered its market credibility.

Marcelo's background also includes the introduction of consumer lending products designed to generate non-interest income while maintaining low delinquency ratios through responsible lending practices. Beyond product development, she has focused on internal operational efficiency and team culture. She introduced communication tools such as "Lending e-news" and educational explainer videos to ensure staff remained informed and cohesive. These initiatives were paired with creative contests and campaigns designed to foster a culture of excellence and collaboration. At Valley First, she will work under President and CEO Kathryn J. Davis, CCE. Her role involves leveraging her expertise in operational management to support the credit union’s Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and Low-Income Designation (LID) status. Marcelo holds an MBA from the John Sperling School of Business at the University of Phoenix and a dual bachelor’s degree in Applied Economics and Business Management from De La Salle University.

"As the Chief Lending Officer at Valley First Credit Union, I am profoundly grateful for the opportunity to contribute to our mission of “Serving the community you call home.” My dedication to this role is fueled by the credit union's values, which resonate deeply with my personal and professional ethos. I am eager to leverage my expertise in operational management and lending growth. I am excited to work alongside our esteemed President and CEO, Kathryn J. Davis, CCE, and the rest of the leadership team to deliver impactful results that align with our shared vision of community service and excellence."

Betina Marcelo, Chief Lending Officer at Valley First Credit Union.

The companies involved

Valley First Credit Union is a member-owned financial institution based in California, operating via its digital presence at valleyfirstcu.org. As a credit union, the organization operates as a not-for-profit cooperative, a structure that distinguishes it from traditional retail banks by prioritizing member services and community reinvestment over shareholder profit. The institution currently holds two significant federal designations: the Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and the Low-Income Designation (LID). These statuses are pivotal for credit unions in the United States, as they provide access to specific grants and funding opportunities from the U.S. Department of the Treasury, intended to support lending in economically underserved or distressed areas.

The leadership at Valley First, headed by President and CEO Kathryn J. Davis, CCE, has maintained a focus on lending growth as a core component of its mission. By operating with these specific designations, the credit union positions itself as a critical provider of capital in markets that may be overlooked by larger commercial lenders. The addition of a Chief Lending Officer with a background in diverse loan products and Freddie Mac approvals suggests the institution is looking to strengthen its operational framework to better serve its membership base within the competitive California financial services landscape.

What this means

The appointment of Marcelo highlights a broader trend in the credit union sector: the need for agile lending strategies in a volatile housing market. By bringing in a leader with experience in construction-to-permanent and renovation loans, Valley First is positioning itself to capture demand that traditional mortgage products currently miss due to high rates and low inventory. This move puts pressure on regional banks and smaller credit unions that lack the operational sophistication to secure Freddie Mac approvals or manage complex community-focused designations like CDFI. The industry is increasingly looking for leaders who can balance aggressive growth with the responsible lending practices required to maintain low delinquency ratios in an uncertain economy.