History Our story begins on October 5, 1955, at a mass meeting held under the sponsorship 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 also in attendance. On November 15, 1955, Linn Government Employees Credit Union was chartered as a state-chartered credit union. This marked the beginning of an innovative organization that puts people ahead of profits. Central Willamette Today While there has been tremendous growth and much advancement since 1955, Central Willamette continues to honor the tradition of “People Helping People”. As a member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative, our focus remains steadfast on our members, working together to advocate for their needs and provide the financial tools to improve their economic well-being. Our values are centered on ethics, integrity, humor, compassion, and respect. Our vision is “To enrich the communities of the central Willamette Valley by providing financial products, services and opportunities”. As a result, our decision-making process starts with our members’ best interest in mind. Central Willamette's commitment to our members goes above and beyond delivering affordable and responsible financial services. Through focused outreach and volunteerism, we provide funding and support to strengthen the communities where our members and employees live. Today, Central Willamette has over 29,000 members and $350 million in assets, and is recognized for its ongoing significant contributions in the community.