About Us

Cottonwood Community Federal Credit Union is a not-for-profit, member owned, and locally controlled financial cooperative.

You can enjoy the benefits of being a member if:

You live, work, volunteer or attend school in Lewis or Idaho counties
You are a direct family member of an existing CCFCU member or organizations of such persons; businesses and other legal entities in Lewis and Idaho counties
A $5.00 initial deposit to a savings account is required for membership.

Cottonwood Community Federal Credit Union History

Our credit union was organized by a group of individuals that were tired of the more “mainstream institutions” not caring about people as individuals and liked the co-op nature of a credit union. The founding members wished to have a local financial institution to help people living in the Cottonwood area, so they began the organization process.

The credit union was federally chartered in 1942 under the name of Cottonwood Community Federal Credit Union. It’s original field of membership were people living in Cottonwood, Idaho and in the surrounding ten-mile radius.

CCFCU operated out of the homes of its various managers until the early 1990’s when it moved and operated out of the office of Forsmann Accounting. Then in the late 1990’s the office at 1606 Lewiston Street was opened which serves as the credit union’s main office to this day.

The credit union merged with Craigmont Credit Union (2004) adding the Craigmont branch and expanding our charter to cover all of Idaho and Lewis counties. This provided credit union services to additional low-income areas, and people, without adequate access to such services.

CCFCU later added the Nezperce branch (2007), the downtown Cottonwood branch (2018) and the Kooskia branch (2019). Most recently, CCFCU merged with Pine Tree Community Credit Union (2022) adding two Pine Tree Division branches in Grangeville and Riggins.

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Pine Tree Credit Union Division History

In September 1956, fourteen employees of the Prairie Lumber Company and the Haener Planer Lumber Milles met, formed and applied for a state charter to establish the Prairie Lumber and Haener Planer Credit Union.

In these early beginnings, volunteers managed everything, accepting deposits and making loans to their fellow members out of an office space donated by the Baker Truck Company.

On April 17th, 1963, The Prairie Lumber & Haener Planer Credit Union name was changed to Pine Tree Community Credit Union. At this time, Ray Sarbacher (one of the founding members) became treasurer and moved the office of the credit union to his home. With the assistance of his wife, Evelyn, their home was where the credit union remained and grew for many years.

Over the years, Pine Tree had merged with Inland Lumber Mill (1968), Inland County Employees Credit Union (1991) and Camas Credit Union (1992).

With all that growth, they needed to find more room, and in 1992, the Board purchased the old PCA building at 230 East Main Street, and after two additions and remodels, remained the credit union’s main office.

PTCCU later addded the Riggins branch (2007) and in 2022 the credit union merged with Cottonwood Community Federal Credit Union, with the Grangeville and Riggins locations being known as the Pine Tree Division branches.

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Credit Unions

A credit union is “not for Profit, not for charity, but for service.” This is where credit unions differ from all other savings and borrowing organizations. Members pool their savings in share accounts and are the owners of the credit union. These funds are loaned back to the members to facilitate their financial needs. Profits from the credit union are paid back to the members in the form of dividends and services. In addition, a certain amount of funds is kept in reserve to meet reserve requirements.

Credit unions are run under the policies set by the Board of Directors. Members elect the board members at annual meetings. Board and committee members are elected for staggered 2-year terms. The Supervisory Committee is involved in internal controls and adherence to the policies set by the Board of Directors. All of these positions are uncompensated, voluntary positions.

Cottonwood Community Federal Credit Union offers membership to persons who live, regularly work, attend school, worship, or volunteer in Idaho or Lewis counties. In addition, organizations of those persons and their direct family members are offered membership.

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