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History & The CU Difference

When you choose North Coast you are: Choosing to become an owner. Choosing to support local communities. Choosing to enjoy lower fees and loan rates. Choosing to benefit from caring, friendly service. Credit unions are different from banks.

Credit Unions

Return earnings in the form of low fees, low loan rates and higher rates on savings.
Are locally owned by the people they serve. They exist solely to serve their members.
The values of a credit union reflect the values of their members
Credit Unions are democracy in action. Members vote for the volunteer Board of Directors.

Banks

Exist to earn a profit for share holders and holding companies.
Owned by stockholders, who may or may not be local.
Run by a Board of Directors whose mission is to return a profit.
Bank customers have no say in how their bank is managed.

North Coast started at the Bellingham Firehouse in 1939

Back then, loans were made out of a single cash drawer kept in a desk at the Firehouse, and a loan transaction might be interrupted when the fire bell rang. Our first Annual Meeting was held at the Bellingham Fire Department headquarters, now the location of the Syre Educational Building. Throughout our history, devotion to our members has always been, and continues to be, our number one priority.

1939:
City of Bellingham Employees Credit Union

City of Bellingham Employees’ Credit Union incorporated on May 19, 1939. Began in firehouse.

1954:
Membership Expanded

We expanded membership to include employees of City of Bellingham, Bellingham Postal Employees, and other Public Employees of Bellingham and Whatcom County.