STCU announced Monday that it will open branch locations in Pasco, Kennewick and Richland in 2018 and 2019. It is the first expansion outside the Spokane-North Idaho market for STCU, which has been voted “best credit union” in the Spokane area for 12 consecutive years.
“Over the past year, we’ve talked to more than 750 Tri-Cities residents who have said they would welcome STCU into their communities,” said Ezra Eckhardt, STCU’s president and CEO.
“In fact, Tri-Cities already is home to more than 2,300 STCU members,” Eckhardt said. “We look forward to serving them in person.”
Last week, the credit union finalized the purchase of a 1.5-acre site for a Kennewick branch location at 4842 W. Hildebrand Blvd. Plans call for a 4,500-square-foot branch location with STCU Home Loans offices, a drive-through, and 24-hour ATMs. Designed by ALSC Architects, the location will have water-efficient xeriscape landscaping.
The Kennewick branch location will open this year. In addition, STCU plans to build branches in Pasco and Richland, with one opening in 2018 and the other in 2019. Locations have not yet been announced.
STCU also has ATMs in Target’s Richland and Kennewick stores.
STCU is a not-for-profit financial cooperative with 175,000 members and $2.7 billion in total assets. The Northwest’s third-largest credit union (and the largest headquartered east of the Cascades), STCU offers a full array of credit cards, loans and savings accounts for consumers and businesses. It is the leading provider of home and auto loans in Spokane.
STCU members have access to thousands of shared branching locations and surcharge-free ATMs nationwide, as well as STCU online banking and the STCU mobile app. That made it easy for second-generation member Melissa Slahtasky and her husband to continue using STCU for their banking needs, even after moving from Spokane to Pasco about 15 years ago.
“STCU has never given me a reason to leave, and many reasons to stay,” Slahtasky said. “It’s part of our family.”
STCU has been named the region’s best credit union for 12 consecutive years in the annual reader survey conducted by Spokane’s Inlander newspaper. That reputation is built on member service that is consistently ranked among the best in the industry, and a steadfast commitment to the communities it serves.
The credit union each year provides free financial education to thousands of students and adults, hosts back-to-school events for teachers in more than 20 public school districts, and sponsors many events related to the arts, education and community.
“As newcomers, we look forward to getting to know Pasco, Richland and Kennewick, and learning how we can best serve the communities,” Eckhardt said.
STCU staffs each branch location with about six employees, and will be hiring from the Tri-Cities area. STCU employees get paid time off for volunteerism and full benefits, including a generous tuition reimbursement program.