Local Credit Union Option for California Homeowners

Our take: Valley Strong Credit Union’s HELOC offers a quick application and no prepayment penalties, making it appealing to existing members. However, availability is limited to select California counties, and mixed customer reviews may give some borrowers pause.
Check out our list of the best HELOCs for providers with more geographic reach and excellent LendEDU ratings.

HELOC

• Quick application process
• Reliable HELOC provider
• Repay anytime

• Limited to credit union members (membership is only open in certain counties in California)
• Mixed reviews

Rates (APR)	Variable (with some fixed options)
Funding amount	Up to $400,000
Repayment terms	10, 15, or 30 years

A home equity line of credit (HELOC) by Valley Strong Credit Union allows homeowners to leverage their property’s equity for home improvements, debt consolidation, and various major expenses. Valley Strong serves California, with a primary focus on the Central Valley.

Table of Contents

Valley Strong HELOC overview

With a HELOC by Valley Strong, you may:

• Borrow up to $400,000 (approved funding depends on your amount of home equity, credit score, and other factors)
• Repay the borrowed amount over a 10-, 15-, or 30-year term
• Use the funds for a wide range of purposes, such as home improvements, consolidating debt, education, and miscellaneous expenses

This HELOC is a standalone line of credit that may take a first-, second-, or third-lien position. In a nutshell, you may qualify for a Valley Strong HELOC whether or not you’re still paying off a mortgage, and even if you already have an existing additional home loan.

If you own your property outright, it becomes a first-lien HELOC. Otherwise, it would be a second or third lien on top of your other home loans, with your property serving as collateral for all of them.

HELOC highlights

Some details that may make this HELOC option appeal to eligible homeowners:

Repay anytime

Valley Strong doesn’t impose any prepayment penalties on HELOCs, so you can repay your loan early and save on interest without risking extra fees.

Quick approval

The initial prequalification only takes minutes, and if the credit union approves your application, you may access the funds in as little as five days.

$1,000 bonus with a Makes Cents Checking Account

Right now, Valley Strong offers a $1000 bonus if you open a Makes Cents Checking Account alongside a HELOC of at least $50,000.

Who is eligible?

Since Valley Strong is a credit union, only members are eligible for HELOCs. Memberships are restricted to certain counties in California, mainly in the Central Valley. (You can see a list of locations here).

Its HELOCS are available for single-family homes, condos, and townhouses; other types of properties may not qualify. Additionally, according to the credit union’s terms, the property must be in “at least average condition.” You may need to provide proof of your home’s condition before Valley Strong approves your application.

As is usual with HELOCs, approval also hinges on your credit score and ability to repay, so you’ll need to supply proof of income. The available borrowing amount depends on your home equity, which is the portion of your home that you own outright.

Application process

Applying for a HELOC with Valley Strong starts with a quick, straightforward prequalification. This step doesn’t affect your credit score and lets you know what rate you may expect.

You’ll need to disclose:

• Your property’s address
• Whether it’s primary, secondary, or investment property
• Your annual income
• Your legal name and date of birth

Once you get an estimate, you can choose whether to proceed with the application.

Pros and cons

• 
  Risk-free prequalification that won’t affect your credit score

• 
  Quick, straightforward application process

• 
  No prepayment penalties

• 
  Service from a reputable institution with an established local history

  Valley Strong Credit Union has been active since 1938.

• 
  The credit union’s online reviews are limited and mixed

  No Trustpilot page, no BBB accreditation, and a 2.2/5 Yelp rating

• 
  Valley Strong only offers this loan product to its members

  Homeowners living outside the approved California counties can’t join the credit union.

Alternatives

If you want to make sure you’re getting a competitive offer, we always recommend comparing different HELOC lenders and rates. Leading HELOC providers to check out include Figure, Aven, and FourLeaf.

Here’s how Valley Strong stacks up against all three:

Valley Strong vs. Figure

Figure is our team’s highest-rated nationwide HELOC providers, earning a 4.9/5 LendEDU rating. It offers fixed-rate HELOCs with a 100% redraw option.

It’s worth noting that Valley Strong partners with Figure for its HELOCs, so much of the processing (like income verification and property valuation) and the funding time are likely similar for both providers.

Valley Strong vs. Aven

Aven is another top-rated HELOC provider with an ultra-fast application process. If the screening goes smoothly, Aven may approve your HELOC application within 15 minutes.

Aven stands out thanks to its Lowest Rate Guarantee: If you can prove you have received a better HELOC deal from another provider, Aven commits to offering you a HELOC with a lower APR.

Unlike Valley Strong, Aven is a fully digital fintech company with no physical branches. This may be a drawback for more traditional-minded borrowers who appreciate the security of a local credit union.  

Valley Strong vs. FourLeaf

FourLeaf Federal Credit Union offers a 20-year HELOC with an initial 12-month fixed rate, no application, appraisal, or origination fees, and zero closing costs. The maximum borrowing amount is $1 million, substantially higher than Valley Strong’s upper limit.

While also a credit union, FourLeaf is active nationwide, and practically anyone can become a member.

Customer reviews

Valley Strong has limited reviews, likely because it’s a regional credit union. It isn’t BBB-accredited and has no Trustpilot page.

Yelp reviews are less than stellar, with an average rating of only 2.2/5 and multiple complaints, but we found no feedback specifically referring to the credit union’s HELOCs. Nevertheless, Valley Strong is a well-established financial institution with a strong local presence and a reputation built on nearly 90 years of service.

Who should apply for a HELOC with Valley Strong?

Valley Strong could be a solid option for Central Valley California homeowners who are considering a HELOC and prefer to deal with a well-known local credit union. Nevertheless, you should shop around and compare providers to make sure you’re getting the best available offer.