Fast forward to 1955, right here in Tumwater, Washington. Ted McGill, an employee at the Olympia Brewery, heard about the concept of credit unions and thought it would be a great fit for the brewery workers. They needed affordable loans and financial services they could trust, so why not start their own credit union? With that spark of an idea, O Bee Credit Union was born—created by and for brewery employees. Though we’ve grown  significantly since then, that spirit of looking out for our neighbors and working together for a better future is still at the heart of everything we do.

And now, in 2024, credit unions all over the globe are getting ready to celebrate International Credit Union (ICU) Day on October 17! This year’s theme, “One World Through Cooperative Finance,” is all about how credit unions come together to make a difference—locally and globally—by offering affordable financial services and giving back to our communities.

ICU Day also happens to be during one of our favorite week of the year, Member Appreciation Week! Stop by all week and enjoy treats, coloring pages for the kids, and a fun giveaway drawing. Be sure to pick up our 2025 calendar while you're there! But that’s not all—we’re also rolling up our sleeves and giving back to our community. This year, we are joining forces with other local credit unions for a day of service. Together, we’ll work on projects that are grounded in the principle of "people helping people," and put our credit union values in action.

International Credit Union Day is a great reminder of how credit unions work together to make the world a better place—one community at a time. We’re proud to be part of that tradition at O Bee, and we hope you’ll join us for some international treats, a little fun, and maybe even lend a hand as we give back to the community. Let’s celebrate what makes credit unions, and our Members, so special!