A Message from the CEO

2025 Year in Review

As 2025 comes to a close and the New Year begins, everyone here at WCLA Credit union would like to thank you, our membership, for your continued engagement.



Our credit union is the only credit union in the United States, and maybe the world, that is solely dedicated to the forest products industry and financing logging and timber businesses. Your deposits here are put directly to work in making that happen. It’s because of your engagement and the continued efforts here that WCLA CU was rated #1 in the S&P’s Top Performing Credit Unions for 2024 report, and I’m sure we’ll find ourselves on the list again for 2025.

This past year has not been without its share of challenges in the industry, and our approach to challenging times is relatively simple. We’re a partner. We’re not temporarily financing or working with an industry when times are good and then distancing ourselves when times are not. Our success is predicated on the success of our members. Full stop.

You may not know it, but we’re a staff of only 10 people, all of which were here the entire year. In an age when many financial institutions have a lot of staffing turnover and are looking to AI solutions to solve personnel issues, we’ve retained and continue to develop a small team that knows you well and prioritizes what’s important. Lastly, our Board of Directors and Supervisory Committee continue to volunteer their time as governors, ensuring that the credit union stays on mission in a safe and sound manner.

Until next time,



Charles Thompson,

President & CEO

Annual Meeting

Join us at our Annual Meeting on March 28, 2026 at WCLA Annual Conference at the Tulalip Resort.

CD Special

Take advantage of our member appreciate CD special and earn 3.75% APY* for 14 months.

Visit Our Booth at the Oregon Loggers Conference

Visit our booth at the Oregon Logging Conference. We'll be in stall 44 in the performance hall.

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.

Emily is the newest employee of WCLA Credit Union, having come on board as an MSR II in August 2024. She has enjoyed getting to know the Credit Union’s membership over the last year and learning more about the unique financial needs and experiences of the logging industry.

Emily has a Bachelor of Arts in Literature and Classics from Marlboro College. She has been in banking since 2017, when she decided on a career change after years as a barista. She started as a teller, then moved into consumer and business banking as well as consumer lending. She also spends time volunteering in Olympia, and recently finished a six-year term on the board of Sound Legal Aid.

In her spare time, she loves writing songs, fiction and poetry, reading, watching her chickens run around, and cooking with her wife Sarah.

Presidents Day (Credit Union closed)

• Monday, February 16, 2026

Annual Meeting

• Saturday, March 28, 2026

*APY = annual percentage yield. APY assumes dividends remain on deposit until maturity. Fees may reduce earnings. A penalty may be imposed for early withdrawal. Stated APY effective 01/01/2026. $500 minimum deposit. New money not mandatory but highly encouraged! Offer subject to change without notice. Available to all WCLA CU & WCLA Members. Federally 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.