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Hello from WCLA Credit Union,
I recently attended the annual Go West! Credit Union Association MAXX conference in Denver. The association is a regional one, encompassing credit unions in WA, OR, ID, CO, WY, and AZ. Amongst the speakers was the new Chair of the NCUA, Colorado’s Governor, many credit union colleagues, and industry experts. The primary topic discussed was AI, which is reshaping the way many credit unions do business, along with topics surrounding stablecoins and underlying cryptocurrencies.
As a practice today, WCLA CU does not deploy or use an AI solution to support or replace daily operational functions. However, we do partner with a third party for our IT services, including cybersecurity, which these days requires AI-enhanced defenses to help ward off bad actors trying to get though our firewalls and infiltrate our network.
Cybersecurity here is always a paramount concern, and one of the benefits of being a small institution is our agility. Some years ago, we discontinued using and retired legacy servers and on-site hosting. We did this in recognition of an ever-evolving cybersecurity landscape that requires financial institutions to take every precaution in protecting members’ information and maintaining unimpacted systems.
Our commitment to cybersecurity is evident to our IT auditors and State examiners, and I am happy to serve on a newly stood up Client Advisory Board for our IT vendor. Staying up to date on any evolving concerns and helping to ensure our credit union has a voice is time well spent.
We always feel that we work in two industries. We’re a credit union of course, but we support the forest products sector. I was grateful for the opportunity to speak in Portland last month at the Forest Products Forum, to kick off the CANOPY conference at the World Forestry Center. I was asked to speak about the challenges we are seeing today financing loggers. And I won’t sugar coat it; there are many. If you read these messages, please know that we consider ourselves a partner to the companies and individuals we work with, and our mission does not wane.
| | Next week, our VP of Lending, Casey Smith, and I will be speaking at the Pacific Logging Congress in Arizona. Well, mostly Casey. Hopefully some of you know Casey. He’ll be speaking about ‘Knowing Your Costs’ and considerations to take into account on the financial side of running a logging business. We look forward to seeing you there. At last year’s PLC, I took the opportunity to bid on a tuna fishing trip for a Board retreat. Our Board of Directors and Supervisory Committee are all unpaid volunteers, so it was particularly nice to share a day out of Ilwaco and catch some incredible fish. | | | | | |
Lastly, our credit union was graciously hosted by Hama Hama in Lilliwaup recently for our annual summer picnic. I’d like to take this moment to again thank everyone here at the credit union for their hard work and enthusiasm. We are small but mighty.
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Until next time,
Charles Thompson,
President & CEO
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📸 Show Us Life in the Woods
We’re looking for WCLA Credit Union members to share their favorite photos that capture the spirit of the timber industry — from logging in action to the quiet beauty of the forest. Your photo could be featured on our website or even in an upcoming WCLA CU calendar!
Whether it’s a misty morning on the job site, a well-worn rig, or the majesty of timber country, we want to see what makes this industry special through your eyes.
👉 Submit your photos by emailing them to ourneckofthewoods@loggerscu.com
Please include your name, location, and a short description of the photo.
Let’s celebrate the hardworking people and stunning landscapes that make our community unique!
CD Special
Earn 4.60% APY* on a 16-month Certificate of Deposit.
See website for details
Think Before You Click: Protect Yourself from Fraud
Scammers often pose as trusted organizations, businesses, or even people you know. They may claim there’s a problem with your account, a package delivery, or an urgent payment that needs your attention. Their goal is to get you to click a link and share sensitive information.
Here are a few simple ways to stay safe:
- Don’t click suspicious links. If a message feels unexpected, urgent, or too good to be true, trust your instincts.
- Check the sender carefully. Scammers often use email addresses or phone numbers that look almost identical to legitimate ones.
- Go directly to the source. If you’re concerned about an account, open the organization’s official website yourself rather than clicking a link in a message.
- Never share sensitive information. Legitimate organizations should not ask you to provide passwords, PINs, or verification codes through an unexpected link.
- When in doubt, verify. Contact the organization using a phone number you know is legitimate.
If you accidentally click a suspicious link, don’t panic. Close the page, avoid entering any information, and contact your financial institution promptly if you shared personal or account details.
We Want Your Opinion
We have a quick survey that we would like our members to us to give us their thoughts on how we might better serve you.
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Carmen Smith has been a member of WCLA Credit Union since 1991, when she and her husband, Roger, started R L Smith Logging, Inc.
In 2004, Carmen was asked to join the Supervisory Committee when Bill Pickell stopped by the house on his way home and mentioned that the Credit Union needed members to serve on the committee. With both of their children in college at the time, it sounded like a great opportunity. Here we are, many years later, and Carmen is still giving back to the Credit Union she has been a part of for so long.
Throughout the years, R L Smith Logging, Inc. has financed numerous loans through the Credit Union and has been a strong advocate for its services. When the Credit Union was looking for additional deposits to help finance more loans for loggers,
Carmen and Roger were happy to support those efforts and have referred many businesses to the Credit Union along the way.
In the early 2000s, the Credit Union was only able to finance rolling stock. Through a great deal of hard work and dedication by management, that gradually changed. The Credit Union was eventually able to finance a used piece of equipment, then a new piece of equipment, and ultimately multiple pieces at one time. It has been exciting to watch those opportunities grow and expand over the years.
Carmen states it has been a pleasure working with the Credit Union staff and watching the organization grow. There is a great sense of pride in knowing that, when the regulators come in, we are doing things the right way. Being part of a Credit Union that understands and supports the industry we love has been especially rewarding.
Outside of work, Carmen enjoys cooking, especially for her family. Spending time at the lake is one of her favorite ways to relax, and she even finds peace in riding the lawn mower and pulling weeds in the flowerbeds.
As retirement approaches, Carmen is looking forward to having more time to travel and catch up on projects. She will miss the people she sees every day—but, as she would probably tell you, she won't miss the work quite as much!
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Veterans Day (Credit Union closed)
- Wednesday, November 11, 2026
Thanksgiving (Credit Union closed)
- Thursday & Friday, November 26 & 27, 2026
Christmas (Credit Union closed)
- Friday, December 25, 2026
New Years Day (Credit Union closed)
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*APY = annual percentage yield. APY assumes funds remain on deposit until maturity. Fees may reduce earnings. Stated APY effective as of 10/28/2026. $500 minimum deposit. Offer subject to change without notice. Available to all WCLA CU and WCLA members. Insured by NCUA.
Remember: Fraud is crummy. We will never ask for your password, PIN, or online banking credentials — not by phone, text, or email. If you receive a message or call that seems suspicious, do not click on any links or provide personal information. Instead, contact us directly using the number or email listed on our official website.
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