WHO WE ARE

We Believe in Brotherhood/Sisterhood & We Are Here For You

OUR MISSION: “Ironworkers USA Credit Union is dedicated to promoting community development in all of the areas it conducts business and to provide affordable financial services to low-income people. In doing so, we will help them build assets and achieve financial stability.”

OUR VALUES

Ironworkers USA Credit Union Is…

Resilient

Together we are stronger. As a non-profit financial cooperative that puts its members’ needs first, rather than its shareholders’ pockets as do traditional banks, Ironworkers USA Credit Union has been carefully structured to weather economic downturns and recover quickly. We also believe in the importance of giving our members second chances, so they can build confidence in their financial decisions, recover from difficult times, and emerge financially better on the other side.

Diverse

We know that Ironworkers are a diverse group of individuals who cannot be defined in just one way. Not only does the trade have many specialties, the people who call themselves Ironworkers hail from varied backgrounds and regions of the country. The Credit Union has gone to great lengths to ensure all Ironworkers are represented by making sure our volunteer Board of Directors, volunteer Supervisory Committee and staff are diverse in trade specialty, ethnicity, language, and age.

Loyal

We are loyal to our members and make every decision based upon their needs. Our members know we have their back, and in turn,they have ours. One of our best member recruitment tools are other members. When members receive excellent service, they tell their co-workers and family. We are THE financial institution that Ironworkers and their families can depend on and turn to in a time of need.

Inclusive

We are here to help every Ironworker. In 2018, our field of membership expanded to reach every Ironworkers Union Local across the United States. We are proud to offer useful and affordable financial services that specifically cater to Ironworkers’ unique needs. We don’t judge our members because we know that life happens and it’s not always pretty. We give our members the opportunity to financially shine!

Passionate

We believe in the important work Ironworkers do and are passionate about helping Union Ironworkers across the country reach their financial goals. Since our inception in 1960, the Credit Union has focused solely on providing financial services to Ironworkers. We understand what it takes to be a Union Ironworker, their unique financial needs and how best to help them live their best financial lives. Helping our Union Brothers and Sisters is the sole reason we exist.

Persistent

The Credit Union continues to exist and thrive through the ups and downs of the economy. Because the work Ironworkers do ebbs and flows based on the nation’s economy, members have unique financial needs. When times are tight, members have been able to rely on the Credit Union for support, be it a loan, line of credit, debt consolidation, or financial advice. For 60 years, we have stayed the course and always been here for our members when they need us.

Bridging Our Members’ Financial Needs Since 1960

To Learn More About the CU History Select Each Year on the Timeline Below or View Vertical Timeline Graphic.

The Ironworkers 29 Federal Credit Union was chartered on April 8, 1960, with a membership that was limited to members and employees of Portland, Oregon’s Ironworkers Local 29 of the International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Ironworkers, AFL-CIO and the employees and immediate family of the credit union.

The President of Ironworkers Local 29, Lyle Eller, and the Business Agent, John O’Halloran, organized the credit union after John told Lyle that he was tired of loaning his own money to fellow Ironworkers so they could “boom out” – travel to where the work is. Lyle responded, “Maybe we should start us a credit union.” They gathered up 12 Ironworkers and did just that in Lyle’s office with two cigar boxes – one for deposits and one for loans. The original cigar boxes are still on display in our Portland Office.

The first recorded audit was on May 31, 1961. With Lyle Eller keeping all books, the credit union had 255 share accounts, with $26,776.82 in savings, and 97 loans in the amount of $24,188.78.

Thru the mid-60s, Lyle Eller was at the helm of the credit union, with occasional help from his wife Velma. He hired Alice Denny to help him full time, and they opened a small office inside the Ironworkers Local 29 Union Hall. Alice remained the manager of the credit union until her retirement in 1986.

The credit union had become a self-supporting financial institution with more than $1 million in assets.

Diane Baldwin, who had been with IBEW Local 280 Federal Credit union, joined the credit union as Manager/CEO.

Lyle Eller retired after having served the credit union for 25 years. He had stayed active in the Credit Union Movement including serving as a director on the Oregon Credit Union League Board as well as serving as the credit union’s Treasurer until retirement. Lyle passed away on May 6, 1987.

The credit union’s charter was amended on January 15, 1998, changing the name to Pacific Northwest Ironworkers Federal Credit Union.

This name reflected the credit union’s opening up of membership in order to serve all of the Ironworkers Unions within the District Council of the Pacific Northwest.

The credit union’s charter was amended on January 15, 1998, changing the name to Pacific Northwest Ironworkers Federal Credit Union.

This name reflected the credit union’s opening up of membership in order to serve all of the Ironworkers Unions within the District Council of the Pacific Northwest.

New Locals included:

February 12, 1990 – Ironworkers Shopmen’s Local 516 in Portland, Oregon.
April 1, 1998 – Ironworkers Local 86 in Seattle, Washington; Ironworkers Local 114 in Tacoma, Washington; Ironworkers Local 598 in Kalispell, Montana; and Ironworkers Local 751 in Anchorage, Alaska; and Ironworkers District Council of the Pacific Northwest
July 31, 2001 – Ironworkers Local 14 in Spokane, Washington.
December 12, 2001 – Ironworkers Shopmen’s Local 506 in Tukwila, Washington

The credit union merged with the Ironworkers Local 14 Credit Union in Spokane, Washington, on July 31, 2001 and relocated the Spokane branch to the Ironworkers Local 14 Union Hall in Spokane Way. A branch office was opened in Seattle at the Ironworkers Local 86 Union Hall.

Diane Baldwin, CEO, retired after 25 years of service to the credit union, she was replaced by Teri Robinson. Teri Robinson joined our CU team bringing 21 years of credit union experience. She brought a “Can do, no problem!” approach to member support that helped us not only survive tumultuous times for the CU industry, but thrive and secure national recognition for our CU.

The credit union became a Community Development Financial Institution through the U.S. Department of Treasury. This designation certifies the credit union as a specialized financial institution that works in market niches that are underserved by traditional banks, allowing it to offer a wider range of products and services to members.

Credit Union assets reach $7,500,000.

Teri Robinson, CEO, is honored to receive the most-coveted CUNA Magazine’s “Rock Star” Award.

At the end of December 2015, the credit union had $20.7 million is assets – the highest level ever.

May 2018 Ironworkers Pacific Northwest Federal Credit Union becomes Ironworkers USA Federal Credit Union, allowing the CU to offer services to over 90,000 union ironworkers nationwide. Credit Union assets reach $31,000,000 milestone.

MEET OUR TEAM

Board of Directors

Chairperson – Robert Camarillo

Vice Chairperson – Mark Lautenschlager

Treasurer – James Pauley

Board Member – Larry Gerads

Board Member – Shane Nehls

Supervisory Committee

Chairperson – Kevin Joyce

Durand Jones

Kevin Joyce

Mark Lautenschlager

Carl Martinez

CU TEAM

Teri Robinson, CEO

Jaimie Garver, COO

Portland Staff

Tamara Amador

Lourdes Revuelta-Arellano

Kelly Flye

Lacey Meyer

Elena Oddy

Raylynn Quinn

Elaine Cha

Kimberly Richardson

Brooklynn Upton

Kathrine White

Keely Keegan

Seattle Staff

Kim Martin

Sherry Nieto

Spokane Staff

Tina Hoffmann, Branch Manager

Aimee Reiser

How YOUR Credit Union Operates

The basic principle behind the Credit Union is simple – People helping people. The Credit Union is a financial cooperative where the members have agreed to save their money in a facility they own and operate and to make their savings available for low interest loans. The interest from these loans is used to pay the Credit Union’s operating expenses. After paying expenses, meeting required reserves and providing services, the Credit Union returns all remaining earnings to the members in the form of dividends and new services.

As a Financial Cooperative, We are Owned and Operated by Our Members…That Means YOU!

As a financial cooperative, you’re an owner and a member of the Credit Union, not just a customer. We value your input and encourage you to share your thoughts with us. Our Board of Directors are members of the Credit Union who volunteer their time and expertise to help guide the Credit Union’s operations. Members vote for the Credit Union’s Board of Directors. Every member has one vote regardless of the amount of money he/she has on deposit or outstanding in Credit Union loans.