It began as a teachers credit union in Olympia in 1937, and after a series of mergers from the 1980s to recent years, TwinStar Credit Union now serves the greater community in Washington state and even into Oregon. In Pierce County, TwinStar currently has branches in Parkland and Lakewood.
“One of our core values at the credit union is to provide service excellence to all of our members,” says Miae Montanye, manager of the Lakewood branch. “Our promise is realizing financial dreams together. We believe that working together by listening to our members’ needs and helping with all of their financial concerns can improve the lives of the citizens in our communities.” Providing that level of service, she says, means that the staff sometimes has to think creatively to meet members’ needs.
“Part of meeting members’ needs is being able to communicate with a diverse group of people, and in this regard TwinStar shines. Three staff members in Lakewood speak Korean and two staff members in Parkland speak Spanish. These fluencies help the credit union to be of great service in Pierce County,” says Cindy Sims, manager of the Parkland branch.
“We want to help people achieve their dreams,” she reiterates, whether it is purchasing a home or a car, going on a vacation, completing home projects, building a business, or simply seeking financial security.
TwinStar takes community to heart, says Sims. To that end, Sims is involved with the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce to build relationships with the business community. “As a chamber ambassador, I get the opportunity to meet new chamber members, welcome them to the area and learn about their business,” she says.
Both TwinStar branches are involved in community events. In Parkland, the credit union is an event sponsor for the community’s Winterfest, which gives back to the children of the community during the holiday season. TwinStar is also an event sponsor for the Lakewood Chili Cook-Off, which provides scholarships to business students from Lakewood schools and Pierce College. Montanye notes that TwinStar also supports Caring for Kids “because we want to support underprivileged students in our community.”
In these and other ways, TwinStar is proud to serve the Pierce County community, providing a financial partnership and helping businesses, individuals and families to reach their dreams.
TERRIN CRAWFORD
For additional information:
twinstarcu.com
