OUR STORY
Your trusted local financial institution for over 50 years!
Community West Credit Union started as Steelcase Employees Credit Union, a not-for-profit financial institution for Steelcase employees. Operating out of a small office in Steelcase's Desk Plant, the credit union was chartered in February 1967 with Robert Seino as CEO.
In 1971, Steelcase Employees Credit Union moved into its first official branch, a house on Eastern Avenue. In 1977, the credit union moved into a newly constructed building on 40th Street. Steelcase Employees Credit Union's growing community brought about their second branch location, known as "The Cage" in the Panel Plant in 1984.
Following Seino's retirement in 1987, Diana Nash was hired to take over the position of CEO. Two years later, the credit union built its Kentwood branch location off East Paris and 60th Street, replacing the branch located in the Panel Plant.
With the retirement of Nash in 2000, Charles Rea was appointed as the new CEO. The credit union expanded in 2002 with the opening of the Ramblewood (Wyoming) branch. In 2004, Steelcase Employees Credit Union underwent a big change by officially changing its name to our current namesake, Community West Credit Union.
In 2006, with the lease of the 40th Street branch expiring, the credit union closed the branch. Ready for further expansion, Community West Credit Union opened a newly constructed Hudsonville branch in 2006.
In 2011, Jon Looman took over as CEO following the retirement of Rea. By 2015, big changes were happening for the credit union. Community West merged with Founders Community Federal Credit Union, establishing our current Middleville branch. In the same year, Community West also merged with Rockford Community Federal Credit Union, our current Rockford branch. As if that wasn't enough change, in May, the credit union moved from the Wyoming branch location to its newly constructed, and current, Grandville location.
In 2017, the credit union reached a major milestone, celebrating 50 years! The credit union continued to grow in 2018 by merging with Tradewinds Credit Union to establish our current Comstock Park branch. By 2019, we broke ground for construction on the new Kentwood branch and headquarters to create much-needed space for the team. The new HQ allowed for all departments to be housed in the same location instead of being spread throughout the six branch locations.
2020- the year we all will never forget. Construction of the new Kentwood HQ was greatly hampered by the sweeping pandemic. Pushing through setbacks and delays, the new branch opened in 2021 while construction continued in order to complete the back office.
In 2022, our current President and CEO, Heidi Hunt, was appointed. Shortly on the heels of the new CEO, we moved our Middleville branch location to our newly renovated office in Middleville. In May of 2024, Community West made the difficult decision to close the doors of the Hudsonville branch to make way for future endeavors.
Our story is never finished. Check back here to stay tuned for our latest ventures!