SPOKANE, Wash.–BECU said it has entered into an agreement with Associated Industries here to provide financial services and support to the organization’s members statewide.
Associated Industries provides services for businesses in need of human resources, employment law, safety and healthcare benefits expertise.
The move comes approximately two months after Seattle-based, $15-billion BECU moved into this market.
BECU said it will provide Associated Industries members a variety of financial services and offers throughout the year to help member businesses grow and compete, including commercial real estate loans, equipment financing and special business credit card offers.
“Working with Associated Industries is a perfect fit for BECU’s mission to support the people and businesses that help our community succeed,” said Steve Hauschild, BECU’s director of business lending and Eastern Washington market leader. “We’re excited to be a resource for Associated Industries members for financial services, financial tools and education to help their employees.”
According to BECU, the program will also extend benefits to employees of Associated Industries member businesses, such as reduced rates on mortgages and vehicle loans (auto, boat, RV and sport), and financial education tools and webinars.
“From our first interaction, I was impressed by the similarities shared by BECU and Associated Industries. Both organizations share a commitment to their members and the communities they serve,” said Jim DeWalt, president and CEO of Associated Industries, in a statement. “This partnership allows us to provide our members with banking services geared toward their needs and their employees’ needs now and into the future. The benefits of this relationship will reach beyond the employers and support growth across our community. Associated Industries is extremely proud to partner with BECU and we look forward to growing our relationship as we build resources for our members across the state of Washington.”
BECU, which has approximately 5,000 members in Spokane, entered the market on Sept. 19 with its first locations. Since that time, the credit union said it has undertaken several community initiatives, including donating more than $75,000 in grants to Spokane Neighborhood Action Partners to save the non-profit’s financial counselling program and help support small businesses.
BECU said it will announce its first offers for Associated Industries members in the first quarter of 2017, with new benefits rolling out at the start of each quarter in 2017.