Southwest Washington Chapter of Credit Unions

Who we are

The Southwest Washington Chapter of Credit Unions is made up of fourteen credit unions from Southwest Washington in Clark and Cowlitz Counties. We exist to promote cooperation among our member credit unions, and provide a means of exchanging ideas and discussing issues of mutual concern.

Participating credit unions of the chapter include:
* Bemis Federal Credit Union
* Cascade Forest Products Credit Union
* Columbia Credit Union
* Cowlitz Credit Union
* Fibre Federal Credit Union
* iQ Credit Union
* Lacamas Community Credit Union
* Longshoremen's Local-4 Federal Credit Union
* Lower Columbia Longshoremen's Federal Credit Union
* People’s Community Federal Credit Union
* Red Canoe Credit Union
* southwest corporate Federal Credit Union
* TwinStar Credit Union
* Unitus Community Credit Union
* Waterfront Federal Credit Union

• The Southwest Washington Chapter facilitates meetings and/or programs that provide networking opportunities and are educational, motivational, and informative.
• We provide a forum for cooperative efforts that inspire continued expansion and service on the part of member credit unions; and that develop and maintain public awareness of the credit union industry.
• We provide and support training opportunities for credit union leaders, including volunteers and staff.
• Scholarships are available to support training opportunities provided by the Chapter, League, CUNA or other Credit Union educational events.
• We facilitate political and legislative involvement.
• We are committed to partnering with others to improve the quality of life in Southwest Washington. Our contributions include the volunteer efforts of our member credit unions as well as cash donations and sponsorships. For a detailed calendar of events, click here.
  

Credit Unions are nonprofit, cooperative financial institutions that are owned and controlled by the people who use its services. These people are members. Credit unions serve groups that share something in common, such as where they work, live, or go to church. Organized to serve and democratically controlled, they exist to provide a safe, convenient place for members to save money and to get loans at reasonable rates. Members pool their funds to make loans to one another. The volunteer board that runs each credit union is elected by the members of that particular credit union. Not for profit, not for charity, but for service is a common credit union motto.

Credit unions, like other financial institutions, are closely regulated. In addition, they operate in a very prudent manner. What makes a credit union different from a bank or savings & loan? Like credit unions, these financial institutions accept deposits and make loans--but unlike credit unions, they are in business to make a profit. Banks and savings & loans are owned by groups of stockholders whose interests include earning a healthy return on their investments. On the other hand, credit unions are owned by its members. Volunteer boards of directors (that the members themselves elect) are responsible for running and overseeing credit union business. Any profit that a credit union makes is returned to its members in higher dividend rates, lower loan rates, and personalized service.



Scholarships

SW Washington Chapter of Credit Unions is not only committed to work together in educating our community, we are also committed to help educate our members. We do this through a variety of educational meetings sponsored by the Chapter, as well as support other Credit Union related educational opportunities available to our Chapter members through scholarships.

Scholarships are available to Chapter members up to $500 per individual per year or $700 per Credit Union. Click here to apply for amounts over $150 or use the Quick Application for amounts under $150. All requests must be received 30 days prior to the event. Please submit your application to Scholarship Committee Chair, Danette LaChapelle at danettel@iQcu.com.