ABOUT US

Where We Started

In 1957, we had a vision of a thriving community supported by a genuinely helpful credit union. That's how Central Willamette came to be. Ever since then, we've been committed to this vision, providing our members with smart financial guidance from friendly people you can trust. It's what sets us apart - and what keeps our members happy.

Our story began on October 5, 1955, at a meeting of Local 1141 when initial steps were taken to form a credit union for government employees in Linn County. Employees from the U.S. Bureau of Mines and the Albany and Lebanon post offices were there, too.

On November 15, 1955, Linn Government Employees Credit Union was established as a state-chartered credit union, and we've been serving the people of the Valley as financial advocates ever since. It's not just a job, it's our passion.

Times have changed and so has our name:

  • 1957 - Our charter was expanded to include the rare metals industry and our name was changed to Federal-Metals Credit Union.
  • 1987 - We converted to a "Central" credit union which allowed us to expand within a 30-mile radius to serve those not currently being served by a credit union.
  • 1999 - We changed our name to one that related geographically to the area we serve, and we became Central Willamette Credit Union.
  • 2002 - We were granted a community charter to serve those who live or work in Linn, Benton, Marion and Polk counties and became Central Willamette Community Credit Union.
  • 2018 - All that's old is new again, so we started shortening our name to 'Central Willamette Credit Union', or more commonly just 'Central Willamette'. It's what everyone knows us as, and we think it works! We're still all about community, and we're also about keeping this simple, local, and relatable for everyone in the Valley. We may not be 'fancy' like some of the other banks out there, but that's just how our people like it. We're just like you, after all.
  • 2020 – CWCU expanded its market to include 25 counties so we can provide better banking to more people. Those counties include (in alphabetical order): Benton, Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Coos, Crook, Curry, Deschutes, Douglas, Hood River, Jackson, Jefferson, Josephine, Klamath, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Shermer, Tillamook, Wasco, Washington, and Yamhill counties.  If you live in any of those counties, we are your credit union. 
  • 2024 - A new chapter begins as Laneco FCU has joined Central Willamette Credit Union. By bringing Laneco FCU into the CWCU family, we are extending our strategic, operational, and cultural partnership that promises to enhance the value we deliver to all of our combined members.
crowd of people standing in front of building

Serving Our Members

We now have nine locations for our members' convenience - spanning from Lebanon to Salem. But no matter which branch you visit; you'll find the faces of smiling people who are super excited to help you build a stronger financial future.

That's something that hasn't changed over the years, and it won't change. We promise.

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Our Leadership

Did you know that credit unions are member-owned? That it's your deposits we're loaning out to your friends and neighbors so we can all make the Willamette Valley a better place to live, work, and play? That's right -- we're in this together. Just ask our unpaid Board of Directors, who volunteer their time to help drive the strategy of your financial cooperative. Without them, we wouldn't be the financial advocates we are today.

The Board of Directors is committed to providing a financial institution that is trusted, convenient, member-focused, service driven, and financially secure. They're all active not only with Central Willamette but also throughout our community.

Board of Directors

  • Steve Uerlings, Chair  
  • Carolina Valladares, Vice Chair
  • Marty Cahill, Secretary 
  • Stacie Wyss-Schoenborn, Treasurer 
  • Tom Cutsforth, Director
  • Greg Hamann, Director
  • F. James Healy, Director
  • Mark Yeager, Director
  • Helen Higgins, Director

Senior Leadership Team

    • Headshot of Stacie Wyss-Schoenborn

      Stacie Wyss-Schoenborn

      President/CEO

    • Headshot of DeWayne Ledbetter

      DeWayne Ledbetter

      Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

    • Headshot of Joey Rudisill

      Joey Rudisill

      Vice President, Chief Information Officer

    • Headshot of Rebecca Bower

      Rebecca Bower

      Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer

    • Headshot of David Dirks

      David Dirks

      Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer

    • Headshot of Rachel Wolfe

      Rachel Wolfe

      Vice President, Chief Lending Officer

Supervisory Committee

  • David Dahlin, Chair
  • Steve Sharpe
  • Carolina Valladares

The Supervisory Committee’s primary role is to verify the integrity of the Credit Union’s financial statements and ensure that internal controls are in place to safeguard member assets. The Supervisory Committee is available to review any comments or concerns you may have about the safety and soundness of the Credit Union. Please direct any communications to the committee by mailing a letter to:

Central Willamette Credit Union
PO Box 244
Albany, Oregon 97321

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