Can anyone join the credit union? As long as you meet the requirements to become a member you can join. If you live, work, worship or attend school in Kern County you can become a member of Strata Credit Union. Simply open a Share Savings account with a $5 deposit — and you’re officially one of us! Membership is the greatest difference between your credit union and other financial institutions. Your opening deposit gives you a share in Strata Credit Union earnings. When the credit union makes money it’s reinvested to improve products and services. That means lower interest rates on auto loans, credit cards and personal loans, truly free checking accounts with no strings attached and much more.