TAPCO Credit Union plans to continue its 75-year tradition of community service and providing the best-possible loans and other progressive services after being honored by the City of Tacoma.
The City of Tacoma’s award was recently presented to TAPCO (http://www.tapcocu.org) for its 75-year track record of providing quality service to its members and the community since 1934.
“Naturally, we are honored by the City of Tacoma proclamation, and TAPCO will continue to safeguard our members’ money and provide the best-possible loans at the lowest-possible rates,” said TAPCO CEO John Bechtholt. “TAPCO will continue our community service programs and progressive, innovative services from mobile banking to consumer and mortgage loans in the safest, most-secure manner.”
TAPCO was one of the first financial institutions to provide secure and free mobile-banking, online banking and bill pay at http://www.tapcocu.org. In observing its 75th anniversary, TAPCO is a model of consistency in providing service and affordable loan rates for more than 25,000 of its members in Tacoma and throughout Pierce County, Washington.
In addition to its strong online services, TAPCO has six conveniently located branches: 6312 19th Street W. in Fircrest; 2802 6th Ave. in Tacoma; 933 Tacoma Ave. in downtown Tacoma; 5303 112th Street E. in the Puyallup/Summit area; 4827 Pt. Fosdick Dr. N.W. in Gig Harbor; and 13505 Pacific Ave. in Parkland.
The award comes in the form of a proclamation, “TAPCO Credit Union Day,” signed by Tacoma Mayor Bill Baarsma on Oct. 27, 2009.
Several representatives were on hand as TAPCO received the award: Denis Timmerman, supervisory committee chair; Jeanne Werner-Spaulding, board member; Richard Williams, board member; Pat McElligott, board member; David Smith, CUSO board member; John Bechtholt, CEO; Mike Weinman, consultant; Mike Fitzgerald, supervisory committee member; and Rob Masko, board member.
As a not-for-profit financial institution, TAPCO has been solid in uncertain economic times. The award-winning credit union was established the same year when the credit union movement began during President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s innovative “New Deal.” He signed The Federal Credit Union Act into law on June 26, 1934.
Mr. Bechtholt said TAPCO’s approach will continue to provide affordable loan rates and quality services to justify its motto: “It’s Where You Belong.” As a progressive award-winning credit union, TAPCO provides innovative services for free whenever possible.
TAPCO members’ savings are federally insured to at least $250,000 by the United States government and National Credit Union Administration (NCUSIF), a U.S. government agency. NCUSIF insures the savings of more than 86 million members in the nation’s federal credit unions.
It is worth noting NCUA is supported by credit unions, not federal tax dollars.
TAPCO has repeatedly been named recipient of the ''Dora Maxwell Award for Social Responsibility.'' Ms. Maxwell is well-regarded for her efforts to help the needy in the nation’s early credit union movement.
TAPCO, http://www.tapcocu.org, received the social responsibility honor on multiple occasions for its work with organizations, including Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital, Law Enforcement Youth Camp for disadvantaged youth, and for a program to aid the Washington State Council of Firefighters Burn Foundation.
Why Join a Credit Union?
Credit unions are member-owned cooperative financial institutions that are historically organized around a common bond, such as an employer. Credit unions, unlike banks, are not-for-profit organizations existing only to serve their members. This enables them to pay favorable rates on savings accounts and charge competitively priced, low interest on loans.
Why Join TAPCO?
TAPCO Credit Union has a long and rich history in Pierce County. Founded in 1934 by nine City of Tacoma employees, TAPCO has grown to over 25,000 members. Each member has a voice in how TAPCO operates. Member participation keeps TAPCO focused on the founding members' vision of "People Helping People."
How Does TAPCO Operate?
While maintaining a professional staff to run daily operations, TAPCO is governed by a Board of Directors that establishes and reviews policy. The Directors are TAPCO members who are elected by the membership and serve without pay. Every member has one vote, regardless of how much he or she has on deposit. At TAPCO, there is no select group of shareholders that profits more than anyone else. All members profit, individually and collectively.
