About
Canopy

Committed to the growth of each other, our members, and our community.

here, you are welcome

Taking care of your finances is either a) a bore or b) stressful.

We totally get it.

That’s why our team meets you wherever you’re at in your journey. We’ll walk beside you every step of the way so that you feel more confident making important financial decisions. From enhancing your current financial situation by saving money with low-rate loans or special rewards with your checking accounts, to just feeling more connected to your credit union, let us show you the canopy credit union difference!

We often see people come in to the credit union feeling confused or hopeless about their financial situation. Finances can be tricky and being able to help members feel more confident about their overall financial picture is easily the best part of what we do.

At Canopy Credit Union, we have loan advocates that help guide you every step of the way. We are able to be creative with our lending and we take the time to look at each member’s situation individually.

Canopy Credit Union is a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). We are trained to help those who have less than perfect credit.

Your credit score doesn’t define you here – we look at things like:

your current relationship with the credit union
payment histories with other financial institutions
time on your job
how much collateral you’re putting up front
your genuine need for the particular loan you’re applying for
your overall financial picture

Every person has a different story and our lending program is built with that in mind.

canopy’s core values

Canopy lives by a Creative Community Culture. So what does that mean?

we embrace what makes us different

We honor everyone’s journey and welcome new ideas! We’re a place where your story matters.

becoming is better than being

Growth happens when we try new things and don’t allow the fear of failure to hold us back.

curiosity is welcomed

We don’t ask,
“Can we?” but rather, “How can we?”

canopy is here to serve

We believe your level of success is directly proportional to how many lives you touch.

fun is who we are

We are a fun, playful, and hardworking family committed to the growth of each other, our members, and our community.

our history

In June of 1956, seven Spokane area Federal Government employees came together to form Spokane Federal Credit Union.

In the beginning, volunteers managed everything, accepting deposits and making loans. After the staff of Expo ’74, Spokane’s World’s Fair, cleared out, we bought their headquarters building at 601 W. Mallon and are still there today.

While the Credit Union may have started out with just a few passionate volunteers and only a few hundred dollars, we’ve managed to grow to the point where today we’re roughly 12,000 members strong with around $150 million in assets.

As we continued to grow, we noticed many people in the community thought they had to be Federal employees to become a member because of our name, so in the summer of 2019 we changed our name to Canopy Credit Union – better representing who we’re able to serve. We wanted a name that reflected not only where we’ve been and who we’ve become, but also a name that would better define our future.

We chose Canopy Credit Union because it illustrates our ideals of being a safe place for members to grow, and appeals to a wider demographic – with a little nod to the Pacific Northwest.

This is a place where your story matters. Here you grow.

1956

june 1956

Spokane Federal Credit Union is founded

In June of 1956, seven Spokane Federal Government employees came together to form Spokane Federal Credit Union.

In those early days, the credit union was largely run by volunteers who accepted deposits, made loans, and helped their fellow employees navigate their finances.

What began as a small organization was built on a simple idea that still guides Canopy today: people helping people.

From the very beginning, helping members find financial confidence and build a healthier financial future has been at the heart of who we are.

1974

Spokane Federal Purchases Headquarters

Following the end of Expo ’74, the World’s Fair left its Spokane headquarters at 601 W. Mallon. Canopy purchased the building and has called it home ever since.

We’ve watched Spokane grow and change through the decades, but one thing has remained constant: our view of the Spokane River winding through the heart of our city.

2018

may 2018

CDFI Certification

Canopy Credit Union was awarded Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) certification by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, recognizing our commitment to expanding access to financial services and supporting under-resourced communities.

As part of that commitment, all member-facing staff receive financial coaching training, helping us offer free, judgment-free financial guidance alongside accessible financial products.

As of 2026, Canopy remains the only CDFI headquartered in Spokane.

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2019

february 2019

Spokane Valley Branch Groundbreaking Ceremony

Construction on Canopy Credit Union’s Spokane Valley branch began in February 2019, bringing a new vision for what a branch could be. The design was modern and contemporary, while still feeling warm and welcoming from the moment members walked through the doors.

The building was purchased with another partner in mind: a neighborhood coffee shop. That idea reflected something at the heart of every Canopy branch—a place not only to manage your finances, but to gather, connect, and feel at home in your community.

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2020

january 2020

Credit Union Service Center becomes Canopy’s North Branch, opening after a Remodel.

Canopy Credit Union purchased a building that had once served as a shared hub for multiple credit unions, giving our North Branch a permanent home.

As part of the renovation, Canopy created space for a neighborhood coffee shop next door—bringing a little more warmth and connection to the branch and strengthening our vision of Canopy as a place where everyone belongs.

2022

Ranked 7th “Best Credit Union to Work For” in the U.S.by American Banker

Canopy Credit Union was recognized as the 7th Best Credit Union to Work For, honoring our creative workplace culture, opportunities for growth, and commitment to having fun along the way.

The recognition was based on workplace benefits and anonymous feedback from employees, reflecting the people and culture that make Canopy what it is.

2025

Charlotte Nemec is Awarded the Summit Icon Award

In 2024, Charlotte Nemec was honored with the Summit Icon Award for her sustained leadership in advocacy, community impact, and the credit union philosophy.

The recognition reflects a career rooted in the belief that credit unions can—and should—help people and communities grow.

2026

Canopy Awarded the Spokane Valley Chamber “Inspiring Workplace” Award

Canopy was honored with the 2026 Valley Chamber Award for Inspiring Workplace, recognizing the culture our employees help create every day.

The award highlighted Canopy’s staff-led Culture Crew, which brings employees together through potlucks, celebrations, and other activities, along with benefits designed to support employees both at work and beyond—including two- and four-week sabbaticals after five years of service.

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our pledge

Canopy Credit Union is committed to building a diverse and inclusive community.

We actively seek opportunities to recruit and hire qualified candidates with varying backgrounds including race, religion, sexual orientation, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, and veteran status.

As a credit union, we acknowledge there is more work to do.

We are committed to listening to the ideas and opinions of our minority community members, providing opportunities for staff to learn and grow, developing effective practices to continue promoting diversity and supporting local organizations that are actively engaging in social justice work.

At Canopy Credit Union, we strive to be an agent for change. We believe in the financial empowerment of our community, and we will continue serving you in the compassionate and kind manner you deserve.

Canopy Credit Union is an Equal Housing Lender and an Equal Opportunity Employer.

About
Canopy

here, you are welcome

we’re here to help