Letter To Our Members
September 10, 2015
Dear Northwest Baptist CU Members,
Northwest Baptist Federal Credit Union has had the privilege of serving you for 58 years. On Monday, September 1st 2015, the Board of Directors and CEO of Northwest Baptist Federal Credit Union made a decision to pursue a merger opportunity with Seattle Metropolitan Credit Union (SMCU), another local not‐forprofit financial cooperative adquartered in Downtown Seattle. The decision to merge with SMCU was made in an effort to provide a significant expansion in services and facilities to our members.
SMCU was founded in 1933 to serve City of Seattle employees. Today it has grown to a $650 million institution with just under 43,000 members. SMCU's management team is led by CEO Richard Romero.
A merge with SMCU will benefit our members for several reasons. As a larger credit union, SMCU is able to offer Northwest Baptist members expanded locations through its branches, ATMs and cooperative network. SMCU has several locations in the Greater Seattle area including Downtown, Georgetown, and in the Rainier Valley, as well as outlying branches in Southcenter, Kirkland, Northgate, and Lynnwood. SMCU is also part
of the Shared Branching Cooperative Network. Shared Branch access will allow you to make transactions on your account at any participating credit union
branch, literally giving you over a hundred branch locations in Western Washington alone and even more on a national scale.
New and improved services will also be available to you. SMCU offers a full suite of loans, including real estate and business loans. They also offer checking and savings accounts, as well as expanded personal accounts, including Certificates of Deposit, Money Market accounts, and Investment Services. Additionally, SMCU offers access to your accounts via online and mobile banking services that include free bill pay and photo deposit through your mobile phone.
SMCU also has a strong commitment to build prosperity in local communities. They offer in‐house financial literacy classes on budgeting, investments, and buying decisions. They also support multiple local non‐profits such as Northwest Harvest and The Seattle Public Library.
801 Third Ave, Seattle, WA 98104 ' 206-398-5500
The benefits of this opportunity make us confident that a merger with SMCU will have a positive impact on Northwest Baptist members. We are excited about everything that Seattle Metropolitan Credit Union has to offer and hope you will share our enthusiasm. We will have much more information forthcoming about this process.
In the meantime, Robert Coleman has relocated to SMCU's Downtown Headquarters at 801 Third Avenue in Seattle. He can be reached at 206‐398‐5500. If you need to make a transaction on your account, please visit him in person at the above street address, or if you need to send anything by mail, please send it to:
Northwest Baptist Federal Credit Union
PO Box 780
Seattle, WA 98111‐0780
Accounts and transaction services may change as we move through this transition with SMCU. However, your deposits will continue to enjoy the full protection of the NCUA. Please watch your mail closely for information on these changes and for information on new services. Information will also be posted on the Northwest Baptist website at www.nwbfcu.org. For more information on SMCU, please visit www.smcu.com.
The Northwest Baptist Federal Credit Union Board of Directors wishes to express appreciation to each of you for your support in our past endeavors and for your continued support as we merge into Seattle Metropolitan Credit Union.
Gratefully,
Robert Coleman
CEO Northwest Baptist Federal Credit Union