Progressions Credit Union Chronological History

1928-          Spokane Postal Credit Union organized.  Led by Paul Boberg, a Special Delivery Clerk at the main post office.

1933-          State passed the credit union law.  SPCU officially chartered by Washington state on November 27, 1933.

1934-          Railway Mail Credit Union was organized under the leadership of Keith Radley.

1948-          Paul Boberg retires.  Thomas Potter appointed as Treasurer to replace Boberg.

1950-          Tom Potter resigns.  Hollis Stowell appointed to replace Potter as Treasurer/Manager.

Late 1950s-  Space given to SPCU in the main post office downtown off the west lobby.

1958-          First credit union employee hired: Jean Stuchell.

1962-  Railway Mail Credit Union merges with SPCU.  Railway Mail Credit Union Manager Glenn Brown becomes an SPCU employee.  SPCU was $1 million in assets with 1300 members.

1969-          Hollis Stowell retires.  Glenn Brown appointed to replace Stowell.  SPCU was at $2 million in assets.

1970-          SPCU moves from the downtown main post office to it's own 3600 square foot building (includes 2 lease spaces) located at 2919 E Mission, 2 miles east of the new USPS Processing plant located at Trent & Hamilton. NCR posting machine was purchased to process member transactions.

1979-          SPCU begins offering share draft accounts to members.

1981-          SPCU office remodeled in February.  The credit union occupied 3300 square feet of the 3600 square foot building.  Assets of $8.2 million, 3300 members, 7 employees.  All-Savers certificates offered to members.  Began acquiring surrounding property.

1982-          Computers with screens and printers installed utilizing CU Processing online software.  IRAs offered to members totaling $300,000.

1983-          Membership qualifications expanded to include any relative of a member or postal employee by blood or marriage.  Variable rate first mortgage loans introduced.  $14.9 million in assets, 4700 members, and 9 employees; office space was again becoming cramped.  The Board of Directors began discussing plans for expansion.

1984- Joe Lyonnais passes away in April.  Mari Strenge appointed Treasurer-Manager to replace Lyonnnais.  New services offered included the Visa Debit Exchange Card and Student Loans.  Additional surrounding property was purchased and a study undertaken for new facilities. 

1985 - With $17.6 million in assets, 5,400 members and 14 employees, the credit union had converted a storeroom to an office with 3 desks and was occupying all of the 3,600 square foot building.  Ground was broken in October 1985 for a new building immediatly adjacent to the existing steel building.  Walter Oswald retired from the Board of Directors after 35 years of service.  Visa credit cards introduced in April. Data processing system change to USERS online Delta system utilizing PC's.

1986-          New building opened on August 26, 1986. Old steel building was sold and moved up the street just east of SCC.  New services:  Children's club, safe deposit boxes, member suggestion box and extended hours through two drive-up lanes.

1987-          New services:  Christmas Club Accounts, Auto Acquisition service, and Home Equity Loans.  SPCU has $29.4 million in assets, 6,200 members, and 23 employees.

1992-          SPCU has $34 million in assets and over 6,600 members.  Additional services now include Club Teen, Car Facts, Senior Class Club, and fax service. 

1993- SPCU has $38 million in assets and over 6700 members.  SmartLine, an Audio Response system, introduced to allow members 24-hour access to their accounts.

1994-   A new future-focused organizational structure and vision is approved by the Board for more efficient service to members and Credit Union growth.

1995-   CU undergoes remodeling to better facilitate new organizational structure.  Leo Rasmussen retires from the Board of Directors after 38 years of service to SPCU, but remains on the Supervisory Committee.  He is awarded the Volunteer of the Year Award at the Annual Washington CU League Convention.  Al Bays retires from the Board of Directors after over 25 years of service to the Credit Union.

1996 -SPCU purchases an in-house data processing system using AFTECH software.  New services offered: Personal Line of Credit, multiple account Overdraft Protection, customized account descriptions, on-line statements, positive balance Visa debit.  Board approves maximum credit line of $20,000 for Visa credit, PLC, and signature loans.

1998 -In October, SPCU opens the Credit Union Service Center, a full-service branch in partnership with Spokane Federal and United Health Services Credit Unions.

1999 - SPCU offers 24 hour loan service through Lending Solutions Inc.

2000 -March, SPCU introduces a new logo.  April, SPCU launches its first website.  October, SPCU introduces online account access and billpayer through SPCU@home.

2001 - SPCU launches Risk Based Pricing for loans.

2003 - The CU expands its field of membership to those who live, work or worship in Washington state.  First CU owned ATM installed at the Mission Office in the driveup.  The CU is $41 million in assets. 

2004 – In August, the CU changes its name to Progressions Credit Union to better reflect its purpose:  to develop life-long financial partnerships by providing personalized service and solutions—helping members progress from one life phase to another.  It also reflects the changing membership as the credit union continues to grow and flourish well beyond its original field of membership.

2006 – June:  The CU opens its first high-tech office and third location in the Spokane Valley.  The branch is staffed by 2 employees who process new accounts and loans.  Members cash needs are served via 2 ATMs, one indoor and one drive up.  Debit/ATM cards instantly issued at this branch.

2007-June: David L. Martin,  2nd generation credit union volunteer, credit committee and board member, including board chair totaling more than 30 years of volunteer service to the credit union passes away.