The History of America's Credit Unions
Horizon Credit Union
Washington
Est. Date:
1/1/1947
Previous Names:
Kaiser Employees Federal Credit Union, Horizon Federal Credit Union
Locations:
Spokane Valley, WA; Spokane, WA; Moses Lake, WA; Liberty Lake, WA; Ephrata, WA; Deer Park, WA; La Grande, OR; Boise, ID; Coeur d'Alene, ID; Weiser, ID; Meridian, ID; Sandpoint, ID; Nampa, ID; Post Falls, ID; Ponderay, ID; Missoula, MT; Great Falls, MT; Butte, MT; Bozeman, MT
Since its humble beginnings in 1947, Horizon Credit Union has kept a simple goal in mind: to help members achieve their dreams and to give back to the communities they serve. Throughout the years, Horizon has been able to provide the expanded products and access of a regional credit union while maintaining the friendly, hometown service of a local credit union.
History
Horizon Credit Union has a rich history in the pacific northwest. By partnering with like-minded credit unions, the organization is able to provide robust products and expanded access while maintaining the friendly hometown service of a local credit union. Since its humble beginnings in 1947, Horizon has kept a simple goal in mind: to help members achieve their dreams and to give back to the communities they serve.
The credit union began in Spokane Valley, WA as Kaiser Employees Federal Credit Union, serving Kaiser Aluminum employees and their families. The organization changed its name to Horizon Federal Credit Union in 1980, then to Horizon Credit Union in the early 90s after becoming a state-chartered institution. In the 2000s, Horizon began to expand throughout the pacific northwest and by 2020, the organization’s service area stretched from central Washington, through northern Idaho and into western Montana. The summer of 2020 brought huge growth with the addition of Icon Credit Union into the Horizon family, expanding their footprint to southern Idaho and eastern Oregon. As of their most recent merger in 2022 with Embark Credit Union in Great Falls, MT, the organization has nearly $2B in assets with 31 branches serving close to 115,000 members.
As Horizon Credit Union grows, so does its capability to help more people achieve their dreams— while remaining true to their members-first mindset: ‘Your path. Our purpose.’ is not just Horizon’s motto, but the cornerstone used when navigating daily decisions. Horizon remains committed to helping people reach their dreams through exceptional financial products, services and expert guidance on their financial journey.
Horizon Credit Union is dedicated to giving back to the communities they serve. Every employee receives 24 hours of paid volunteer service time per year to use either in individual volunteer efforts or together through community outreach events. Each year, Horizon holds a community-wide volunteer event: Go.Give.Grow. For one day, all branches close at noon and staff spend the afternoon volunteering time and donating resources at non-profit organizations.
By collaborating with like-minded credit unions, Horizon Credit Union to provide expanded products / services throughout the pacific northwest while maintaining local roots in the communities served. Horizon’s first charter expansion was in 1970 with Trentwood Industrial Park. Named Kaiser Employees Federal Credit Union at the time, the organization grew to include workers of both Kaiser Aluminum and Kaiser Industrial Park. Through mergers and charter expansions, the credit union grew to service nearly 15,000 members across the pacific northwest by 2022.
Helping members achieve their dreams is the heart of Horizon Credit Union. On a daily basis, staff apply the organization’s CORE values of capability, optimism, responsibility and empathy. With a strong understanding of their products / services, staff are capable of making a difference in their members’ lives. Staff participate in each member’s journey with optimism and take responsibility in serving members to the best of their abilities. By empathizing with members’ unique situations and perspectives, they are better able to provide service that makes a meaningful impact.