STCU reaches 50-branch milestone.

[sept. 30, 2025]

The achievement comes as many financial institutions are closing branches, particularly in rural communities and underserved neighborhoods. So far this decade, banks nationwide have closed more than 7,000 branch locations. In that same period, STCU has more than doubled its branch network.

Every day, tens of thousands of STCU members access their accounts through online banking and the STCU Mobile App. Still, “visiting a branch is fundamental to the member experience, and key to our culture and success,” said STCU President and CEO Lindsey Myhre.

“We love meeting our members in person!” Myhre added.

For its first 30 years, STCU had no home of its own. Instead, from 1934-1964, it operated from a second-floor classroom in Spokane’s Lewis & Clark High School. Twenty-three years later, STCU opened its second branch. And even when Myhre started her career in 2000, the credit union had only six branches – all but one in Spokane County.

In recent years, STCU has used mergers and branch acquisitions to efficiently grow its network and serve new and existing members throughout the region. A significant added benefit is gaining valued employees who know their communities well.

Earlier this year, STCU integrated with Community Bank, gaining seven Eastern Oregon branches and three in southeastern Washington. Now, former Community Bank customers enter their favorite branch as STCU members, served by the same familiar employees.

Similarly, in 2021, STCU merged with another credit union, CDFCU, acquiring its knowledgeable employees, loyal members and five branches in north-central Washington.

“Growth provides us with the resources to better serve members through improved technology, more physical locations, and expanded products and services,” said Myhre. “It gives us more opportunities to support communities and spread our ‘Here for good’ philosophy into new areas.”  

Indicators of that growth include some major 2025 milestones: more than 300,000 members, more than 1,000 employees, and more than $6 billion in total assets. Other 2025 highlights include STCU’s Here for Good Foundation reaching $1 million in grants funded since it as established in 2023, and Myhre becoming STCU’s sixth president and CEO – the first woman to hold the title.

“It’s been a big, busy, productive year,” Myhre said. “And it isn’t over.”

STCU’s newest branches

Located within sight of SR 240, the new Columbia Center Branch will be led by Community Branch Manager Melissa Venegas. The stand-alone building is a former bank branch that was vacant and gathering tumbleweeds when purchased by STCU earlier this year. Since then, it’s received significant upgrades, with Pasco-based G2 Construction as the general contractor.

Columbia Center will provide a convenient option for STCU members, whose numbers have grown significantly since the credit union opened its Southridge Branch in 2018 (followed by Queensgate Branch in 2019 and Pasco in 2020). STCU’s commitment to Tri-Cities has included sponsorship of two of the community’s largest events: the annual STCU Over-The-River Air Show, and Art in the Park Festival.

STCU’s next branch will open in early 2026, at 1734 E. Renshaw Drive in Spokane. Called the Mount Spokane Branch, it will serve fast-growing North Side neighborhoods in the Mead area.

Additionally in 2026, STCU will consolidate its locations Othello, Wash., with the addition of a lobby and offices to its current Othello Drive-Through, at 1335 E. Main. When the new branch opens, STCU will close its existing branch at 450 E. Main, a leased building where the lot was too small to provide adequate space for drive-through services.

About STCU

Founded in 1934 in Spokane, STCU is a not-for-profit credit union, providing individuals and businesses with financial products, services and support to achieve their financial goals. Membership is open to anyone who lives, works, worships or attends school in Washington, North Idaho or Eastern Oregon.