First Tech Federal Credit Union (or First Tech) is a federally chartered credit union headquartered in Hillsboro, Oregon.[1] It is regulated under the authority of the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). First Tech has over 650,000 members, and over 12 billion dollars in assets with 33 branches located mostly in high technology business centers of California, Colorado, Oregon, Washington and four other states.[4][5] It was the first financial institution to offer telephone interactive voice response access and online banking.[citation needed]
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| Company type | Credit union |
|---|---|
| Industry |
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| Founded | January 14, 1952 |
| Headquarters | , |
Number of locations | 33 branches (2023) |
Key people | Greg Mitchell (President/CEO) |
| Services | Checking accounts, savings accounts, mortgages, loans, credit cards, home equity lines of credit, investment services, insurance services, tax services |
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| Total assets |
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| Total equity |
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| Members | 650,000 (2022) |
Number of employees | 1550 (2020)[3] |
| Website | www |
History
editThe credit union was founded as Tektronix Federal Credit Union, formed by seven Tektronix employees on January 14, 1952. In 1961, the name was changed to Tektronix Employees Federal Credit Union to reflect the credit union's membership. From very early on, technical innovation was emphasized and reflected in First Tech's motto of "Think Forward".[6] As early as 1976, the credit union began using computers for online data processing. By 1979, Tektronix Employees Federal Credit Union had begun the use of ATMs. In 1985, the credit union unveiled "Call 24", which allowed members to check balances and transfer funds by phone.
In 1986, the name was changed to First Technology Credit Union and the membership was opened to include employees in technology industries of the Pacific Northwest. In 1992, Microsoft became involved. The 1995 launch of the company's website paved the way for the credit union to become the second financial institution in the world to perform secure internet transactions. In 1997, the name was shortened to First Tech Credit Union. First Tech began offering mobile banking in 2000, account aggregation in 2001, and biometric two-factor authentication in 2007.[7] With over 156,000 members, and over 1.8 billion dollars in assets in 2007,[8] First Tech was one of the largest state chartered credit unions in the Pacific Northwest.
In March 2010, the company announced it would merge with California-based Addison Avenue Federal Credit Union, which served the employees of Hewlett Packard Company, Agilent Technologies, CH2M Hill, and various other technology based companies, pending government and member approval.[9] The deal was approved by the government and credit union members, and became effective on January 1, 2011, with the new entity named First Tech Federal Credit Union.[10]
The company relocated to a new corporate office in Hillsboro, Oregon, in 2018. The building is LEED Gold certified and is made almost entirely of cross-laminated timber (CLT). At the time of construction it was one of the largest CLT buildings in the world.[11]
In September of 2024, First Tech announced its intention to combine with Digital Federal Credit Union in a merger of equals.[12] The new credit union would retain DCU's charter while keeping First Tech's name. The merger is subject to regulatory approval from the NCUA and the anticipated integration date is late 2025. The merger will create the 6th largest Credit Union in the United States by assets,[13] and a coast-to-coast branch network.
Online banking conversion
editFirst Tech announced, in 2014, their decision to replace existing desktop and mobile banking platform while also converting members to a new bill payments provider.[14]
In October 2015, the Credit Union implemented initial changes[15] to their online and ebilling system and began converting members. The transition incrementally converts groups of members to the new platform over an extended period to ensure minimal disruption. CEO Greg Mitchell addresses members' challenges in an email to the Credit Union's members on 3/8/2016.
Products
editBesides standard banking services, First Tech also offers investment, insurance, and tax services to its members, including free bill payment service, an account aggregation service, and online access to check images. The union's designated ABA routing transit number is 321180379.
References
edit- ^ a b "First Technology Federal Credit Union". www.bloomberg.com. Bloomberg. Retrieved 18 June 2021.
- ^ "2013 Annual Report" (PDF). First Tech Federal Credit Union. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-03-29. Retrieved 2015-04-05.
- ^ "Second Annual 'Season of giving'" (PDF). First Tech Federal Credit Union. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-03-29. Retrieved 2015-04-05.
- ^ "Branch locations". Retrieved 2014-08-23.
- ^ "Addison Avenue / First Tech Merger Receives Member Approval" (PDF). Retrieved 2011-01-16.
- ^ Franklin, Diane (Feb 2004). "Tortoise or Hare?". Credit Union Management. Retrieved 2008-06-21.
- ^ Neil Roiter, ed. (2008-04-21). "Keystroke recognition aids online authentication at credit union". Information Security magazine. Archived from the original on 2009-07-26. Retrieved 2021-12-03.
- ^ "2007 Annual Report" (PDF). Retrieved 2008-06-21.
- ^ Manning, Jeff (2010-03-10). "First Tech Federal Credit Union announces merger". The Oregonian. Retrieved 2010-03-11.
- ^ "First Tech, Addison Avenue credit union merger OK'd". OregonLive.com. The Associated Press. 2010-12-03. Retrieved 2010-12-06.
- ^ "First Tech Credit Union Headquarters". Glumac. Retrieved 2021-12-27.
- ^ "DCU and First Tech Announce Intent to Combine | DCU". www.dcu.org. Retrieved 2024-10-14.
- ^ "Top 100 Largest Credit Unions by Asset Size, 2023". www.advratings.com. Retrieved 2024-10-14.
- ^ "How First Tech Avoided Painful Integration Woes". Web Only. 24 October 2014. Retrieved 2016-05-24.
- ^ "First Tech Credit Union is in the process of changing their online banking system". /mint.lc.intuit.com. Archived from the original on 9 March 2016.