SPOKANE, Wash.–The $15-billion BECU is expanding east into Spokane.
The credit union has announced it will open the first of what it calls its Neighborhood Financial Centers in September, with a third location also planned. BECU said it will also have mortgage advisors and business relationship managers available in Spokane.
“BECU is excited to be expanding our presence in Spokane, which is a community known for embracing the member-owned spirit of credit unions,” said BECU CEO Benson Porter in a released statement. “As the state’s largest credit union, BECU puts people first by providing great value, convenience and service. We are owned by our members, inspired by our members, and driven to deliver value to our members. This member-first approach extends beyond the walls of our new branches and deep into the Spokane community. That’s the BECU difference – members first, communities first.”
BECU, which has more than 950,000 members, has approximately 5,000 in the Spokane area
While it is now arriving with a physical presence, BECU said it has been an active participant in the community for a decade. As part of its expansion, BECU is building on its current community engagement with several Spokane-area community organizations, including:
- SNAP – BECU made a $62,000 donation in July 2016 to support SNAP’s Financial Counseling program.
- Junior Achievement (JA) Washington – BECU has a longtime partnership with JA to deliver financial education programming to participating students and will now support JA Financial Literacy efforts in Spokane.
- People Helping People Awards – The annual People Helping People Awards (PHPA) recognize the causes BECU members support by awarding up to $180,000 to local non-profits they nominate. In 2016, Spokane area Hearth Homes and Peak 7 Adventures were both recipients of a PHPA award.
- Rebuilding Together Spokane – Through donations and employee volunteer efforts, BECU has supported Rebuilding Together Spokane’s effort to ensure low-income individuals have a safe home to live in.
Consistent with BECU’s operating model in Western Washington, the Spokane locations will feature BECU’s innovative “tellerless” layout, which empowers members to access their accounts in ways most convenient for them, including ATM, online banking and mobile banking. Member Consultants will be available to assist with these transactions, as well as provide one-on-one support for opening accounts and more complex services like mortgages, personal loans, auto loans, and business services, the credit union said.