Company Profile
TwinStar Credit Union
Company Overview
Thurston County Teachers Credit Union was founded in 1938 by a group of respected Olympia school teachers and community leaders seeking better loan and savings rates than were generally available during the tough post-Depression era.
In 1981 the credit union name was changed to Twin County Credit Union to reflect the growth and expansion of the credit union into Grays Harbor County. Since then, the credit union has expanded to more than 20 branches in western Washington and one branch in Oregon.
In 2006, Twin County Credit Union changed its name to TwinStar Credit Union to better reflect our growing and diversified member base. Then, in 2009, TwinStar expanded its field of membership to include all residents in the state of Washington and in 2011 expanded again to add the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area including anyone who lives or works in Multnomah, Washington, Clackamas or Marion counties.
With a long list of convenient electronic access options, surcharge free ATMs located nationwide and nearly 100 Shared Branches in Washington, people from all over the state can take advantage of the financial services offered at TwinStar.
TwinStar has developed some of the most innovative financial products available anywhere. Kasasa Cash Checking offers a high dividend rate when certain account requirements are met and the ChoiceLine Home Equity Line of Credit account allows account holders to pay the loan at either fixed or variable interest rates, whichever fits the needs of the borrower.
Since 1938, TwinStar Credit Union has remained true to its roots, creating innovative and flexible financial products and services that are focused on helping members chart their course to financial success.
Today, TwinStar Credit Union counts more than 100,000 of your neighbors as members. TwinStar Credit Union is the 9th largest credit union in Washington with more than $850 million in assets.
Company History
In 1937, a math teacher at Olympia High School started talking to some other teachers. In those days, it was hard to get a small loan, especially on a teacher's salary.
If you wanted to buy a car or a house, you might get a loan from a bank at 17% or from a loan shark at 36% or more!
This teacher brought together 15 teachers in November 1937. Together, they started Thurston County Teacher Credit Union. The young credit union became a legal business entity on January 3, 1938.
The first loan was for $150 in 1938. Loans were made and paid in cash, sometimes with passed notes in the hallway! But in the first 10 years, there was only one loss: 85 cents in 1948.
The credit union got its first "branch" in 1950: 4 days a week at room 346 at Olympia High School. (We've gone back to our roots with the Bobcat Branch at Aberdeen High School.) In 1972, the first permanent branch opened; it was the only branch until 1980.
By the 80s, credit unions could expand who was eligible to join, but they were also competing with banks and other financial institutions. It got harder for smaller credit unions to help their members, especially those serving communities falling on hard times.
Thurston County Teachers Credit Union began merging with some of those smaller credit unions, starting in Grays Harbor County. The old name didn't fit, and in 1981, we became Twin County Credit Union.
A year later, we merged with a credit union in Centralia, and later with credit unions in Clark and Pierce Counties. Which made our name a little strange: "Twin County" in 5 counties?
In 2006, a new name was unveiled: TwinStar Credit Union. Then, in 2009, TwinStar expanded its field of membership to include all residents in the state of Washington. In 2011, TwinStar Credit Union crossed the Columbia River and took our unique style of banking into Oregon. We now operate branches in Wilsonville and Downtown Portland. And that’s the credit union you own today.
Benefits
•We offer competitive salaries based on the current market and the qualifications of candidates
•Benefits start after 30 days of employment and include: Dental, Vision, Life, Flexible Spending Accounts, Holiday, Vacation and Sick pay for all permanent employees
•Full-Time employees are also offered Medical Insurance and Long Term Disability Insurance
•We provide all employees retirement plans
•We offer Employee Assistance Program services, reimbursement for public transportation, Verizon discounts, corporate wellness program and more!