The Olympia Brewery may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of banking, but O Bee Credit Union wants to change that. A leader in providing innovative financial solutions for more than 60 years, O Bee announced the opening of its newest branch, a unique blend of brewpub and financial service center in Point Ruston.
O Bee’s rich history as the original credit union of the Olympia Brewery is reflected in the interior of the new building. It features a brewpub aesthetic including brick walls, wood barrels, hand- painted murals, a transaction bar accented with brass rails and local beer taps, chalkboard signage and decor reminiscent of times gone by. Historic photos of Point Ruston and Tacoma are displayed throughout. “The pub atmosphere ties in well with our history. It’s reminiscent of the old brewery tasting room where the community met, and workers gathered after the end of a shift,” says James Collins, CEO.
This will be the sixth branch opening for O Bee and its first venture into Pierce County. “It’s exciting,” says Collins. “We’re one of the most unique credit unions in the country with products that can’t be found at most financial institutions.” In addition to an array of loan options including home and auto, O Bee offers its signature brewery credit and debit cards featuring favorite brands like Rainier and Olympia. The Berenstain Bears® Cub Account is also part of O Bee’s selection of products. Cub Accounts provide an incentive program for young savers that’s part of a financial education program emphasizing the concepts of “Save, Share, Spend and Earn.”
“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,” added Collins.
O Bee Credit Union (The Olympia Brewing Co. Employees and Families Credit Union) was started Feb. 15, 1955, by Ted McGill, who worked in the bottle house of the brewery. This full-service not-for-profit credit union, owned by its members, has five other branches located in Lacey, Tumwater, Tenino, Yelm and West Olympia. Membership is open to all Washington residents.
LEAH GROUT
For Additional Information
O Bee Credit Union
obee.com
