Ranked #1 in WA

Ranked #1 in WA by Forbes
Forbes has recognized O Bee as the #1 credit union in Washington State in its 2019 America’s Best-In-State Credit Unions list. This is the second straight year that O Bee has made it to Forbes Best-In-State list. In 2018, O Bee was ranked in the top five.

“It is an honor to be on Forbes America's Best-In-State Credit Union list for the second straight year, and a significant accomplishment to be named #1 this year,” said James Collins, O Bee’s CEO. “We are doing the right things for the community and our members. It’s our unique position in the marketplace, our passion, and creativity from our team that makes us an award-winning credit union.”

Forbes partnered with market research firm Statista to determine the Best-In-State Banks and Credit Unions in the United States. “Statista surveyed more than 25,000 customers in the U.S. for their opinions on their banking relationships. The banks and credit unions were rated on overall recommendations and satisfaction, as well as trust, terms and conditions, branch services, digital services, and financial advice,” the Forbes article stated.

 
 

 

Born in a Brewery
In 1955 a dream was realized, and a credit union was born on the floor of Bottle House “A” at the Olympia Brewing Company. Ted McGill, a brewery worker, persuaded fellow employees to join him in starting a cooperative credit union to serve the financial needs of the brewery workers. They called it O Bee Credit Union (for "Olympia Beer"). Ted would walk around the brewery floor with membership cards, loan applications and receipts stuffed into his shirt pocket. At the time, the whole credit union seemed to exist in that one shirt pocket. Today O Bee doesn’t fit inside a pocket anymore, but we still hold the humble beginnings of our credit union close to heart, just like Ted did.
 
 

Pub-Style Banking
In 2017, we had a unique opportunity to bring our brewery heritage and Ted’s vision to life when we opened our very first Pub-Style branch in Tenino, Washington. We now have four Pub-Style branches. Walk into any one of our Pub-Style branches and you’ll think you’ve just walked into a bar. Local brewery taps and brass railings are featured along the teller line. Wooden hop barrels, exposed brick, neon signs and a chalkboard highlighting specials complete the brewpub feel. It’s an immersive banking experience you won’t get anywhere else.  “Banks shouldn’t feel cold or impersonal and having a brick and mortar establishment is important to our membership, so we decided to have some fun with the design concept,” said James Collins, CEO.

We’re proud of our brewery heritage and we honor the hard work of those who made our namesake, Olympia Beer, world famous. It’s a little-known fact that several other famous beer brands were also brewed at the Olympia Brewery including Rainier and Pabst Blue Ribbon. We celebrate those iconic brands with our own Rainier debit and credit cards and a Pabst Blue Ribbon credit card.
 

Instant Print Debit Cards
Now you can stop into any one of our seven branches and get a new debit card printed instantly. Debit cards can be printed in minutes for immediate use. With Instant Print, you can choose any one of our popular debit card images: Brewhouse, Rainier, Original Olympia, Famous Pink, reflecting our iconic brewery brands; or get a Mount Rainier card, inspired by vintage national parks posters. Instant Print debit cards are secure, convenient and offer perks like ScoreCard Rewards. You could earn reward points every time you use your card. Get your debit card today.