It’s been 90 years since a group of school employees gathered to form what would eventually become Maps Credit Union. The first seven decades of our history in the Willamette Valley were about growth and community building but also about—quite literally—finding a place to do business. But through name changes, unconventional office spaces, and a technology boom, our goal was always to evolve alongside the needs of our members and the community we serve.
And, at the turn of the millennium, Maps was growing by leaps and bounds. We prepared for Y2K with nearly $200 million in assets—and it’s a good thing because the early aughts had a lot in store for us. From launching new digital banking solutions to enhancing our financial education programs, we stayed true to our mission of empowering members and strengthening the community. We also made national news for our trailblazing efforts in an emerging industry where access to compliant banking services was not otherwise offered. It’s been almost a century, but the journey is far from over.
As we look to the future, we want to thank you (yes, you) for being a part of this story. You are the reason we are here. We are deeply invested in the communities where we live and work. After all, our members are more than just our customers; they are our friends, neighbors, and families. Today, tomorrow, and for as long as we can, we will do what it takes to serve those communities through volunteerism, charitable giving, sponsorships, and more.
2000 to 2005 – Y2K and Family Feels
Maps survived the Y2K panic without a glitch and rang in the new millennium with nearly $200 million in assets but the early aughts were moving fast. Within a short window, Microsoft would launch Windows XP and early versions of social media sites (like MySpace, Friendster, and Facebook) would emerge. Email would become a widely accepted form of communication. Technologies like GPS and WiFi would form the foundation of the apps we rely on today. It was an age of globalism, and, for many, an age of tragedy marked by the attacks of 9/11, a U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, and Hurricane Katrina. Throughout it all, our growth and stability made Maps one of the largest credit unions in the Mid-Willamette Valley.
Maps welcomed the new millennium by giving away a brand-new Micron 466 MMX computer at the 64th annual meeting on January 19, 2000. The state-of-the-art giveaway featured a 5-inch monitor, 128 MB RAM, and a whopping 13 GB hard drive.
Despite a rough previous year in the Willamette Valley region and across the country, the credit union held strong and managed to add almost 3,000 new members. By 2003, membership would top 35,000, and the credit union would hit nearly $213 million in assets. This growth and stability made Maps one of the largest credit unions in the Mid-Willamette Valley.
At a November 2001 annual meeting, CEO Dan Penn introduced the “Feels Like Family” theme that had been adopted throughout the organization. The theme was meant to embody not just the concept of treating members like family but also the credit union’s commitment to volunteerism through civic and mentorship programs.
Bill Payer and PC Branch were adopted in 2002. The revolutionary system allowed members to pay bills online and access their transaction history and pending payments. Soon after, we would launch our first version of online, paperless statements.
The spring of 2003 was busy with the opening of our Monmouth Branch at 143 Knox Street N. and a second high school branch in May. The Titan Branch opened at West Salem High School under the direction of Cori Frauendiener, the Maps director of Education Branches. “Maps is committed to education,” said CEO Dan Penn. “We recognize the value of bringing business inside the school so that students can have personal experience with the day-to-day tasks of a financial institution.”
Frauendiener’s work was so impactful to the community, in fact, that she was named Oregon Businessperson of the Year by the Future Business Leaders of America in 2005. In response, Maps named April 21, 2005 “Cori Frauendiener Appreciation Day”.
In 2004, we hired a business loan officer and launched Maps Business Services to meet the needs of local organizations and small businesses. Today, that segment of the Maps family offers all the tools necessary to run a business, including accounts, loans, credit cards, real estate loans, remote deposits, ACH origination, and commercial insurance. Meanwhile, the new insurance arm of the credit union, Maps Insurance Services, LLC, purchased Scarborough Insurance, an independent agency that offers property and casualty insurance lines with a specialty in auto and homeowners insurance.
2005 to 2010 – More Growth and a New CEO
This era was marked by a global financial crisis that led to The Great Recession of 2007. Times were tough, but there was a lot to be grateful for like the debut of Grey’s Anatomy, the first iPhone, and Beyonce’s “Single Ladies”. It’s also the era when we said goodbye to Dan Penn and hello to new President and CEO, Mark Zook.
We grew fast in the first decade of the 2000s—so fast, in fact, we started to have some growing pains. We needed more space, so we moved the support departments (like Marketing, IT, and Payment Services) to a new Administration Building at 451 Division Street in Downtown Salem.
In September of 2005, the Maps West Salem Branch relocated from its Edgewater address to 476 Glen Creek Road (where it stands today). That same month, we opened the Campus Card Office in the Chemeketa Community College Bookstore.
We also continued our march up the I-5 corridor and broke ground for a Woodburn branch in April 2006. The 5,000-square-foot facility offered drive-up banking and ATMs, member services stations, and the latest in ADA accessibility. The building also included a publicly accessible classroom/meeting room and the Maps of the newly-acquired Scarborough Insurance. The finished Woodburn Branch opened in August of 2007 at 1860 Newberg Highway. Our Silverton Branch opened in June of 2009 at 307 E. Main Street.
In 2008, the credit union expanded its charter to include the entire Willamette Valley Basin. We were delighted to welcome new members, but that same year, we would also bid goodbye to longtime CEO and hero of the credit union, Dan Penn.
Under Penn’s leadership, the credit union grew to $290 million in assets and increased membership to over 37,000. We’d also embraced technological tools like online banking and Bill Payment and introduced new products and services, including unique subsidiaries like Credit Union Wireless. Penn was credited with implementing the student-run branches at North Salem, West Salem, and McKay High Schools. However, Penn’s influence did not end with Maps. He was also active in the greater credit union movement, advocating for the state and national legislation that supported the Credit Union Association of Oregon. In fact, the CUAO honored Penn with various awards, including a Medal of Honor, the Heideman Scholarship Award, and a Distinguished Service Award. To celebrate his 29 years of service, the Maps Credit Union Board renamed the Maps Administration Building the Dan Penn Administration Building.
Soon after, Mark Zook was declared the new President and CEO of Maps Credit Union. Zook also served as CEO of Maps Credit Union’s primary subsidiary, Maps Service Agency, Inc., and held a position on the board of directors of the Credit Union Association of Oregon. Zook, who had been with Maps since 1992, was also active in the credit union movement and had worked closely with Penn over the years. “Dan has been a great leader and great mentor,” Zook noted at the time. “I hope to continue to build on the legacy he created and lead the credit union to new levels of success.” Zook came to us after earning an MBA from Southern Oregon University, a master’s in educational leadership from the University of Oregon, and a bachelor’s in business administration from Western Oregon University.
2010 to 2013 – Building Better Communities
Between 2010 and 2013, the United States began its slow recovery from the Great Recession, with a renewed focus on job growth, economic stability, and innovation. Social media platforms like Instagram and Snapchat emerged, redefining how people connected and shared their lives. Pop culture was booming with the rise of “Game of Thrones” and Adele’s record-breaking album 21. Oregon embraced its pioneering spirit, becoming a leader in sustainable energy and tech innovation while strengthening its reputation as a hub for craft beer and farm-to-table dining. This era also marked significant growth for Maps Credit Union as we adapted to the changing financial landscape and became (officially) “Maps”.
In 2011, Maps unveiled a new logo and name that better represented our ability to serve the entire Willamette Valley community rather than just school employees. Since “Marion & Polk Schools Credit Union” had long been nicknamed “Maps,” we embraced the name and replaced the old schoolhouse logo with a dot reminiscent of a destination dot on a map. A redesigned, state-of-the-art website debuted as part of the rollout. That same year, we reached the $400 million asset mark while membership climbed to 40,000 members.
In early 2011, the media was abuzz with the new Maps “Buy Local” program, which offered monthly deals for anyone in the community (such as a free latte or a free bar of soap) and member-exclusive deals at featured partners. Each month, the Maps website, newsletter, and statement inserts highlighted at least two businesses and offered coupons that people could redeem for freebies. Maps then reimbursed the participating businesses for the free items (to the tune of about $3,000 per year). The credit union was awarded a Best Practices prize from the Credit Union National Association (CUNA) Marketing and Business Development Council for the program. College student Amanda Brenneman then expanded the program into a “Buy Local” app and was named the 2013 Next Top Credit Union Executive for her efforts.
In that era, we were already growing fast and becoming an integral part of the community, but we knew we could do more. So, in 2012, we launched the Maps Community Foundation. (The MCF project actually started in 2010 but became official in 2012 when it received nonprofit 501c3 status.) The original MCF mission was to “deliver asset-building programs and services to the communities eligible to be served by Maps Credit Union”, but our initial efforts focused 30-50% on education, 30-40% on community partnerships, and 20-30% on scholarships.
In the summer of 2012, we started an initiative to donate one cent to the Maps Community Foundation every time a member used their Free Community Checking account debit card. It’s still known as our “Every Penny Counts” campaign. It may seem like a small amount, but it adds up. In 2023 alone, the Foundation distributed more than $400,000 locally thanks to the member-driven “penny per swipe” model and additional Maps contributions.
Across the board, the goal of the new MCF was to improve the quality of life in the surrounding communities by promoting economic development and increasing access for everyone (not just our members) to financial literacy tools and resources. And, of course, with our roots in public education, we immediately formed a special partnership with local schools. In fact, in November 2011, Maps received a Crystal Apple Award, the first ever given to a business partner. The credit union was selected based on the strength of our education branches and our longtime commitment to schools.
2014 – Becoming a Trailblazer
In 2014, Oregon became the fourth state to legalize adult-use marijuana—including possession, home cultivation, and retail sales. This sparked a tough decision for Maps: Close the door to cannabis banking or become a trailblazer and create policies to comply with state and federal guidelines.
In 2014, Maps had $464 million in assets and, in a surprising move, became the first financial institution in Oregon to allow cannabis business accounts—but with strict regulations, caveats, and a zero-tolerance policy for offenders. Still today, the accounts must adhere to annual site inspections, license verification with the Oregon Health Authority, background checks on the business owners, and detailed financial records that are measured against tax filings and cash flows. As of February 2019, Maps handled 500 cannabis business accounts, including farms, producers, processors, and dispensaries. Although, as an organization, Maps takes no position on whether cannabis should be legalized federally, it became clear that the voters of Oregon had spoken when they chose to legalize it. So, after extensive research and risk analysis, the decision to serve cannabis businesses was approved for two reasons: to serve the underserved (as we have always done) and to build safer communities by removing the large amounts of cash from the streets where legal cannabis businesses operated. “While the vast majority of financial institutions have steered clear of cannabis banking due to the regulatory hurdles and the associated intense workload, Maps has chosen to step in with both feet,” says Rachel Pross, our Chief Operations Officer. “Why? Because we feel it’s our duty to contribute to the welfare and safety of the communities we serve.”
The decision was a smart one. According to Pross, the 500 state-registered, cannabis-related businesses deposited at least $529 million in cash in 2017 and 2018 alone—and that’s over $500 million off the streets and now a part of our country’s above-board, regulated, mainstream economy. Throughout the process, Pross became a bit of a rockstar for Maps and the credit union industry. Since then, she has regularly met with legislators and regulators across Salem and Washington, D.C. She also testified to Congress twice in 2019 in favor of the SAFE Banking Act and has been a frequent guest speaker at national events, speaking on topics ranging from regulatory compliance to leadership.
2015 to 2020 – Growth, Rebranding, and Digital Tech
Between 2015 and 2020, the world saw breakneck advancements in technology—including the growth of artificial intelligence, expanded 5G networks, breakthroughs in renewable technology, the proliferation of wearable tech, and a rise in the popularity of electric vehicles. Streaming services like Netflix and Spotify transformed how we consume entertainment. Meanwhile, communities navigated shifting cultural landscapes. Social movements advocating for equality and justice gained momentum and sparked important nationwide conversations. At Maps, we embraced new technology to enhance member services, introduced innovative financial solutions, and deepened our impact in the community, paving the way for a future of growth and resilience.
In 2015, Maps celebrated 20 years in Education Branches. Our award-winning high school branch program had been repeatedly recognized for its value to the community because the student-run branches functioned as school-to-work labs for high school business courses at North Salem, West Salem, and McKay High Schools. “Partnerships between schools and businesses became a focus in the 1990s as role models for students became increasingly important to academic success,” said Jay Remy, one-time director of Community Relations and Communications for the Salem-Keizer district. Today, we are also proud to say that several current Maps team members began their careers at Maps Credit Union as student tellers or interns.
That year, Maps also won first place for two NCUA awards, the Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Community Service Award and the Louise Herring Philosophy in Action Award. Plus, we ranked fifth on Oregon Business magazine’s list of 100 Best Nonprofits to Work for in Oregon.
By June 2016, our assets reached $594 million, and membership soared to 52,000. That same year, we brought in EMV chip technology by switching from VISA debit cards to Debit Master Cards. Soon after, we embraced digital wallet technology, so Apple Pay, Samsung, Pay, and Google Pay were added as payment options.
In 2016, our Maps Investments team expanded into Corvallis with an office at 2125 NW Professional Drive, where the team offered services such as retirement and income planning, PERS, investment strategies, and risk and portfolio analysis. They also helped clients understand and select life insurance and long-term care insurance and assisted them in developing Medicare Advantage and Medicare supplement strategies. To celebrate, we placed ads in Corvallis and Albany newspapers and billboard ads along Highway 99.
In that era, membership was growing by leaps and bounds in the Santiam region, so after a few logistical hurdles, our Silverton Branch relocated from 307 E. Main Street to 103 S. 2nd Street. Then, in April 2017, we expanded our coverage in the area by opening the Stayton Branch on Fern Ridge Road (where it stands today).
We also started remodeling some of our older branches. Maps teamed up with Seattle-based Weber Marketing Group, a user-experience design and brand partner, to transform and elevate the member experience in branches, online, and in the community. The goal was to create brand consistency across the Maps network and introduce new technology that would simplify banking. The partnership sparked a service of remodeling projects that included clean, white walls and splashes of color from the Maps color palette. We also added graphics that mimic the designs of subway maps—in keeping with our new “Maps” branding.
In 2018, the Investments team moved to 2350 NW Century Drive in Corvallis and immediately began welcoming members with informative talks on subjects like tax law changes. The credit union would start 2019 with $746 million in assets, but after implementing a Business Deposit Program to offer business checking accounts plus various other campaigns, we would close out the year decade at $803 million. We would also begin work on a new branch in downtown Salem, just steps away from the Dan Penn Administration Building. This would eventually become our 10th location, the High Street Branch.
2020 – A Global Pandemic
The year 2020 brought challenges on a local, national, and global scale, and Maps Credit Union rose to meet them with resilience and community spirit. While the world grappled with the COVID-19 pandemic, Maps swiftly adapted to ensure uninterrupted service, providing digital banking solutions and critical financial support. As Oregon faced devastating wildfires, the Maps Community Foundation mobilized resources to aid affected members and support recovery efforts. Despite these hardships, we remained committed to innovation, expanding our services and launching unique educational initiatives.
In 2020, our total assets reached $972 million, and our membership climbed to 69,000. We expanded our network of Credit Union Service Organizations (CUSOs) by adding Evergreen Armored Transport, a Pacific Northwest-based armored transport service. The organization would transport cash and offer other secure cash vault services to Maps branches and other regional financial institutions. We were also excited to implement new member engagement programs and educational opportunities like our “fermentation series,” which was to kick off with a workshop called “Hazy IPAs and IRAs.”
When the pandemic hit in 2020, Maps was able to quickly deploy a remote workforce in order to maintain employees and keep operations running smoothly. We also worked to improve digital banking options while also educating members about remote banking options—like direct deposit, mobile check deposit, and online banking. Just one month into the pandemic, the Maps Community Foundation stepped in to deliver $20,000 in grants to local non-profits on the frontlines of the pandemic response. In May 2020, as the local workforce faced unprecedented challenges and businesses worked to navigate a time of great uncertainty, the MCF stepped forward, distributing $66,000 to support community resilience and address urgent public emergencies.
Later that summer, Oregon wildfires raged through the Santiam basin and other parts of the state. The fires affected approximately 1,200 Maps members, prompting the MCF to establish a dedicated Wildfire Relief Fund that could provide direct support. In the spirit of “Members Helping Members,” the fund received more than $53,000 via 700+ donations from our generous members. That money was matched by the foundation to provide over $100,000 in relief and to help fund recovery and rebuilding efforts. In addition, the MCF contributed to organizations like the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley, Hope Station Community Services, and the Santiam Service Integration Team, empowering these groups to deliver critical aid and resources to those impacted by the devastation. Meanwhile, a dedicated team of Maps employees personally reached out to each member affected by the fires, offering support, checking on their well-being, and assessing their immediate needs.
Want to learn more about the Maps history and the history of banking?
- Check out The History of Maps Credit Union, Part I.
- Learn about the early days of credit unions in Oregon, including who was first in the Salem area (spoilers: it wasn’t Maps).
- Discover the History of Money—from bartering to cryptocurrency.