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Draft:Gesa Credit Union

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  • Comment: In accordance with the Wikimedia Foundation's Terms of Use, I disclose that I have been paid by my employer for my contributions to this article. GesaCreditUnion (talk) 18:28, 20 June 2025 (UTC)

Gesa Credit Union is a member-owned financial cooperative headquartered in Richland, Washington. As of mid‑2024, it managed approximately $5.5 billion in assets and served around 290,000 members across Washington state.[1][2]

History

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Gesa Credit Union was founded in 1953 as the General Electric Supervisory Employees Association Federal Credit Union, originally serving employees at the Hanford Site in southeastern Washington. Over time, it transitioned into a community-chartered credit union, expanding its eligibility to all Washington state residents.[3] Gesa has grown through a combination of organic expansion and mergers with smaller credit unions.

In May 2024, Gesa announced plans to acquire Security State Bank of Centralia, which held approximately $606 million in assets and operated 12 branches. The acquisition, expected to close in 2025, will expand Gesa’s reach across southwest Washington.[1][2]

Mission and Values

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Gesa follows the credit union principle of “people helping people.” Its mission is to "empower members and communities through financial education, innovative solutions, and a commitment to service." Earnings are reinvested into member benefits, digital tools, and community programs, rather than distributed to shareholders.

Community Involvement

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Gesa is actively involved in educational, philanthropic, and community outreach efforts:

  • Classroom Grants Program: Provides funding to K–12 teachers across Washington for classroom needs.
  • Affinity Debit Card Program: A portion of each transaction made with an affinity card is donated to schools, veterans' causes, first responders, and other groups. Over $380,000 was donated to 27 school districts in the 2023–24 school year, totaling more than $1.8 million since the program began in 2015.[4]
  • Scholarship Programs: In 2025, Gesa awarded over $145,000 in college scholarships to 43 students across the Pacific Northwest. Since 1987, Gesa has awarded more than $1.2 million in scholarships.[5][6]
  • Local Heroes Grants: Offers funding to law enforcement, first responders, military families, and healthcare workers. In 2024, Gesa awarded $475,000 to 44 organizations.[7]
  • Education Initiatives: In 2024 alone, more than $380,000 was granted to local school districts to support educational programming.[8]

Services

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Gesa Credit Union offers a range of financial services for individuals and businesses:

  • Personal banking: Checking, savings, and certificates of deposit
  • Lending: Auto loans, personal loans, mortgages, and home equity products
  • Credit cards: Standard and affinity credit card options
  • Business banking: Checking accounts, loans, and treasury services
  • Investment and retirement planning
  • Digital banking: Mobile apps, online banking, and financial planning tools

Membership

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Membership is open to individuals who live, work, worship, or attend school in Washington state, as well as employees of partner organizations and immediate family members of current members.[9]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Gesa Credit Union to acquire 121‑year‑old bank. Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business. Retrieved June 20, 2025.
  2. ^ a b Luse Gorman represents Gesa Credit Union in proposed acquisition of Security State Bank. Luse Gorman. Retrieved June 20, 2025.
  3. ^ Gesa Credit Union to acquire 121‑year‑old bank. Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business.
  4. ^ Gesa Credit Union provides local school districts with more than $380,000. GoWest Association. August 27, 2024.
  5. ^ Gesa Credit Union awards more than $145,000 in scholarships. GoWest Association. June 2, 2025.
  6. ^ Gesa Credit Union announces 2024–2025 scholarship recipients. KIMA TV. June 2025.
  7. ^ Gesa announces recipients of 2024 Local Heroes Grant Program. The Credit Union Connection. 2024.
  8. ^ Gesa Credit Union provides $380,000 to school districts. Lynnwood Times. August 13, 2024.
  9. ^ Membership Eligibility. Gesa Credit Union. Retrieved June 2025.
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