Folsom, Calif. – (May 27, 2022) – SAFE members can pick up a bit of Sacramento pride when visiting their local SAFE Credit Union branch.
SAFE branches are now stocked with bold stickers illustrating the Capital region’s landmarks, residents, and other notable sights unique to Sacramento.
The collectible decals are part of SAFE's "YOU" campaign celebrating SAFE members and small business owners throughout the 13 diverse counties the credit union serves.
Sacramento artist Hans Bennewitz – with national design credits including ASICS and Google – partnered with SAFE to create the stickers.
“I wanted to capture a sense of the spirit of Sacramento,” Bennewitz says. “I hope when someone looks at each sticker it brings back a memory of something that says Sacramento to them.”
The three colorful, comic book-like collectible stickers – depicting scenes including a diverse family, palm trees, music, and even Sacramento microbreweries – are available at all SAFE branches.
“We had a great experience collaborating with Hans to create designs that reflect the dynamic people, places and small businesses we revere in Sacramento,” SAFE Vice President of Marketing Amber DiBernardo says. "SAFE embraces opportunities like this to work with businesses and organizations in the community to put the spotlight on what makes this region so vibrant."
Bennewitz’s graphics portfolio also includes projects for CBS Sports, House of Blues in Los Angeles, Solomon’s, Sacramento Magazine, and Urban Roots. The artist says he tied each sticker together by tapping into a minimalist style he inspired in part by 1930s Works Progress Administration (WPA) posters and cartoons.
Bennewitz with some of his other works at his Interval Press Studios in downtown Sacramento.
“It was fun working with the SAFE creative marketing team,” Bennewitz says. “These are my favorite types of projects, when everyone – the client and the artist – walks away happy with the end results.”
Graphic artist Hans Bennewitz shows off one of his sticker designs he says incorporates minimalism.
SAFE launched its award-winning SAFE CreditYOUnion campaign in 2019. The campaign has won several Credit Union National Association Diamond Awards.
“The sticker designs were distinctly and wonderfully executed,” SAFE Brand Manager Amy Brown says. “We are so happy to cement our place in the Sacramento region and connect with our members through these transportable pieces of art.”
Bennewitz, originally from Auburn, graduated from Placer High School in 1999, and attended Sierra Community College before earning his bachelor’s degree in design from Sacramento State University in 2006. The Citrus Heights resident shares a studio, Interval Press Studios located at the Verge Studio for the Arts in downtown Sacramento and has taught as an adjunct graphic design professor for Sac State.
About SAFE
SAFE Credit Union has made members an integral part of its vision since 1940. Over the years the credit union has kept the focus on what really matters, putting members first, a formula that has seen SAFE grow into a leading financial institution in Northern California with $4.5 billion in assets and about 242,000 members. SAFE crafts every cutting-edge product and sterling service with members’ needs foremost in mind. In addition to banking services conveniently available through online, chat, mobile, or phone options, SAFE offers in-person services for members and small businesses at service centers across the Greater Sacramento region. SAFE is a not-for-profit, state-chartered credit union with membership open to businesses and individuals living or working in Sacramento, Placer, Yolo, El Dorado, Sutter, Butte, Nevada, Solano, San Joaquin, Contra Costa, Yuba, Amador, and Alameda counties. Insured by NCUA. www.safecu.org