What Park Side Credit Union does

Park Side Credit Union is a member-owned, federally chartered credit union cooperative founded in 1965 and headquartered in Whitefish, Montana. It provides retail banking products and consumer lending services to individual members and families across western Montana, with primary market concentration in the Flathead Valley (Whitefish, Kalispell, Columbia Falls, Bigfork, Evergreen) and the Missoula area. Its core offering spans deposit products (free checking, KASASA rewards checking, savings, money market, share certificates) and consumer loans (auto, mortgage, HELOC, land, credit cards), supplemented by TruStage insurance products and ancillary services (wire transfers, gift cards, notary, night depository). The institution also offers a scholarship program for local high school students.

The credit union operates a multi-channel distribution network of 7 physical branches supported by Interactive Teller Machines (ITMs) that combine live video teller assistance with 24/7 ATM functionality. Digital channels are built on third-party platforms: a Digital Insight-powered mobile banking app (iOS/Android) with Apple Pay and Samsung Pay integration, a web-based online banking portal, and access to 30,000+ surcharge-free ATMs through the Co-op Credit Union network. Banzai powers the financial literacy content hosted on its sub-domain. Member deposits are federally insured by the NCUA, and the credit union is an Equal Housing Opportunity lender.

The business model is a classic credit union net-interest-margin model: revenue is primarily generated from the spread between loan interest (auto at 4.64% APR promotional, mortgages, HELOCs, personal) and deposit interest paid, with supplementary fee income from wire transfers, money orders, gift/travel card loads, and interchange, plus referral commissions from TruStage insurance. The Park Side Partner Program and Park Side Charitable Foundation (a 501(c)(3) established in 2021) function as community engagement vehicles rather than revenue centers, with $400,000+ shared across 80+ nonprofits over 15+ years. There is no PE/VC ownership and no external capital structure; governance is cooperative.

Name

Park Side Credit Union

Legal name

Park Side Credit Union

Website

https://parksidefcu.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1965

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Park Side Credit Union is a member-owned, federally chartered credit union founded in 1965 in Whitefish, Montana, serving individual consumers and families in western Montana (Flathead Valley and Missoula) with deposit products, consumer loans, and digital banking across 7 branches.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Retail Banking

NAICS

Credit Unions (52213)

SIC

Savings Institution, Federally Chartered (6035)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Credit Unions (Retail/Consumer Focus) (FSABAEAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Bank & Credit Union Personal Loans (Unsecured Installment) (FSAKAAAL), Credit Cards & Revolving Credit (FSABAAAC)

Keywords

• Retail banking services
• Consumer lending products
• Credit union services
• Deposit accounts
• Community banking

Headquarters

HQ city

Whitefish

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Net Interest Income (Loan Interest vs. Deposit Interest): The primary revenue stream for the credit union comes from the spread between interest earned on loans (auto loans, mortgages, HELOCs, personal loans) and interest paid on member deposits (checking, savings, CDs, share certificates). Auto loan rates as low as 4.64% APR are advertised.
2. Fee Income: Revenue from various service fees including wire transfer fees (outgoing domestic/international), corporate check issuance (first two free per month, then fee applies), money orders ($2 each), notary services (free for members), Visa gift cards ($3 fee for one-time load $25-$500), and reloadable Visa travel cards ($5 fee for load $100-$5000).
3. Insurance Commission Revenue: Commissions earned through the TruStage Insurance Program offering accidental death & dismemberment, home insurance, auto insurance, and life insurance products. Products include coverage for cancer, heart attack, and stroke.
4. ATM/ITM Transaction Revenue: Revenue generated from ATM transactions at Co-op Network ATMs and surcharge income from non-member ATM use.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Park Side Credit Union is a member-owned, federally chartered financial cooperative providing consumer banking products and lending services to individuals and families in western Montana. Its core offerings include checking and savings deposit accounts (including KASASA rewards checking), consumer loans (auto, mortgage, HELOC, land, personal), Visa credit/debit cards, share certificates, wire transfers, and insurance products distributed through a TruStage partnership. The credit union distributes these services across 7 physical branches, 24/7 Interactive Teller Machines, a mobile banking app, and online banking.

Product overview

Park Side Credit Union operates as a member-owned financial cooperative offering a comprehensive suite of banking products centered on deposit accounts (checking, savings, KASASA rewards checking) and lending services (auto loans, mortgages, HELOCs, land loans). The institution differentiates through technology-enabled services including mobile banking with Apple Pay/Samsung Pay integration, Interactive Teller Machines for 24/7 video teller access, and an online financial literacy platform powered by Banzai. Beyond core banking, Park Side extends its mission through community programs including the Park Side Partner Program for nonprofit partnerships, the Park Side Charitable Foundation for community fundraising, the Park Side Pays campaign for local business support, and scholarship awards for local students. Insurance products are offered through a TruStage partnership covering auto, home, life, and AD&D needs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Park Side Partner Program: Annual community partnership program supporting nonprofits in Flathead Valley and Missoula with donations, volunteer groups, cross-promotion, and shared advertising.
• Park Side Charitable Foundation
• Park Side Pays

Products and services

• Checking & Savings Accounts Traditional deposit accounts including free checking, savings, and money market accounts with Visa debit cards and no annual fees, available to individual consumers and families in western Montana.
• KASASA Free Rewards Checking Free rewards checking account program that allows members to earn cash back and other rewards on their everyday purchases, with no monthly fee.
• Auto Loans Vehicle financing for new and used automobiles with competitive rates, including promotional rates featured during the annual Park Side Days event, also covering recreational vehicle loans.
• Mortgage Loans Home financing including purchase mortgages and refinancing options for residential property purchases, with rates available upon inquiry.
• HELOC (Home Equity Line of Credit) Revolving credit line secured by home equity, allowing members to access funds as needed for various purposes, with rates available upon inquiry.
• Land Loans Financing options for purchasing land in western Montana communities, with rates available upon inquiry.
• Share Certificates (Certificates of Deposit) Term deposit accounts (credit union equivalent of CDs) offering higher interest rates in exchange for leaving funds deposited for a specified period, ranging from 6 months to 5 years, with a typical minimum deposit of $500.
• Credit Cards Visa debit and credit cards with no annual fee, low interest rates, and rewards programs for members.
• Gift & Travel Cards Pre-paid Visa gift cards (one-time load $25–$500 with $3 fee) and reloadable Visa travel cards (load $100–$5000 with $5 fee) accepted worldwide, available at all Park Side locations.
• TruStage Insurance Products Insurance products offered through the TruStage Insurance Agency partnership, including accidental death & dismemberment, home, auto, and life insurance, with policies underwritten by CMFG Life Insurance Company.
• Wire Transfers Same-day domestic and international wire transfer services with minimal fees for outgoing transfers and no charge for incoming transfers.
• Corporate Checks & Money Orders Guaranteed payment instruments available at branch locations, with first two corporate checks free per month (then fee applies) and money orders priced at $2 each.

Quantifiable outcome

• Supported 80+ nonprofits and shared $400,000+ over 15+ years through Park Side Partner Program
• +2 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Boys & Girls Clubs of Glacier CountryflagshipOthers · 1 January 20262026 Park Side Partner serving youth across the Flathead Valley with primary location in Columbia Falls and additional site in Evergreen. The club serves more than 100 youth every day after school, supporting students from Kindergarten through high school seniors with mentorship, academic support, and leadership development programs. Park Side provides significant grant funding and employee volunteer groups.
• The Making PlaceflagshipOthers · 1 January 20262026 Park Side Partner founded in 2023 as a community makerspace in the Flathead Valley. Provides creative space, workshops, classes, a tool library, and communal workspace. Goal is to become a community hub centered on connection, creativity, and collaboration. Park Side supports with grant funding and cross-promotional assistance.
• Abbie ShelterflagshipOthers · 1 January 20262026 Park Side Partner celebrating 50 years of service providing safety and advocacy for survivors of intimate partner violence and sexual assault in Flathead County. Specializes in safety planning and empowerment programs. Park Side provides significant donation and organizational support.
• Glacier InstituteflagshipOthers · 1 January 2026Park Side Partner providing environmental education in Glacier National Park and surrounding areas. Received significant grant and radio commercial support as a partner, with Park Side team members serving on committees and volunteering at events.
• Dubbers Care FoundationflagshipOthers · 1 January 2026Park Side Partner receiving both financial support and collaborative partnership that helped advance its mission. Park Side team engaged in brainstorming and promotional activities benefiting the organization.
• Friends of the Children - MontanaflagshipOthers · 1 January 2026Park Side Partner youth mentoring program that has built awareness through Park Side collaborations at community events and cross-promotion of social and paid media. Long-standing partner supported since inception.
• Families First Learning LabflagshipOthers · 1 January 2026Park Side Partner serving families in western Montana. Partnership provided invaluable assistance in strengthening families and connected the organization to the broader 'yes' community that serves the larger community.
• Flathead Land TrustflagshipOthers · 1 January 2026Park Side Partner helping connect more people to open spaces and ecological treasures in the Flathead Valley while conserving special places for future generations. Partnership created lasting benefits for communities and landscape.
• Glacier Ice RinkflagshipOthers · 1 January 2026Park Side Partner benefiting from generous grant and year-long program promotion, volunteer activities, and advocacy for the organization with Park Side members. Financial support combined with enthusiastic brainstorming and event promotion.
• Whitefish Theatre CompanyflagshipOthers · 1 January 2026Park Side Partner receiving generous grant and full-year program promotion, volunteer assistance, and advocacy. The partnership offered exceptional benefit to the community and helped advance the organization's mission.
• Park Side Charitable FoundationflagshipOthers · 1 January 2021Independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 2021 by Park Side Credit Union with the mission to engage more members and build stronger communities. Funds community projects in the Flathead Valley and Missoula. Runs annual fundraising campaigns including Run Wild Family Field Day, 1 Member Campaign, and Quinn's Hot Springs Raffle. Target goal of $360,000 if every member contributes $1/month.
• TruStage Insurance AgencycoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2011TruStage Insurance Program offers Park Side members access to AD&D, home insurance, auto insurance, and life insurance products through a white-label integration on the Park Side website. Products are underwritten by CMFG Life Insurance Company and leading insurance companies.
• Co-op Credit Union ATM NetworkcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2011Partnership with Co-op Credit Union providing Park Side members surcharge-free access to over 30,000 ATMs nationwide. Park Side members can also use Co-op Locator app or website to find free ATMs when traveling outside the local area.
• Banzai (Financial Literacy Platform)coreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2011Banzai is an online financial literacy platform integrated into Park Side's digital presence at parksidefinancial.banzai.org. Provides responsive coaches, articles, loan calculators, and real-life simulations for financial wellness education. Park Side offers this content free to members and the community.
• MontaVino Winery (Park Side Partner Edition Wine)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2011Collaborative product partnership where MontaVino Winery in downtown Kalispell produces a Park Side Partner Edition wine. For each bottle purchased, $5 is donated to support local nonprofits. Bottles feature hang tags with details about the Park Side Partner Program, serving as both a fundraising and marketing vehicle.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Whitefish Credit Union: A community credit union headquartered in Whitefish, Montana, directly serving the same Flathead Valley market as Park Side. Offers similar consumer deposit and loan products (auto, mortgage, HELOC) to overlapping member bases, making it the most direct local competitive comparable.
• University of Montana Federal Credit Union: A community credit union serving the University of Montana community in Missoula, directly overlapping with Park Side's Missoula branch footprint. Offers similar deposit, lending, and member services to a related member base of students, faculty, and Missoula residents.

Regional players

• Glacier Bank: A regional bank holding company headquartered in Kalispell, Montana, with branches throughout western Montana including the Flathead Valley and Missoula. Competes with Park Side for deposits, mortgages, and consumer loans across the same geography with a similar community-bank positioning.
• First Interstate Bank: A Montana-headquartered regional bank with branches across the state including the Flathead Valley and Missoula markets. Offers consumer and business banking products that overlap with Park Side's retail offerings in the same regional footprint.
• Stockman Bank of Montana: A Montana-based community bank with a strong presence in rural and small-town Montana, including the Flathead Valley region. Competes with Park Side on consumer lending, deposits, and community banking relationships across overlapping service areas.
• Great Falls Federal Credit Union: A Montana-based community credit union serving the Great Falls and surrounding area. Comparable to Park Side as a mid-size Montana credit union with similar product sets, member-owned structure, and community-focused positioning.
• Blue Federal Credit Union: A community credit union serving Wyoming and northern Colorado with a similar product set (auto loans, mortgages, HELOCs, member rewards) and community-oriented positioning. Comparable to Park Side as a mid-sized credit union competing against national banks in a regional footprint.

Broad incumbents

• BECU (Boeing Employees Credit Union): One of the largest U.S. credit unions with a broad consumer banking offering including checking, savings, mortgages, auto loans, and member rewards. Comparable to Park Side in product mix and member-owned structure, but at significantly larger scale.
• Navy Federal Credit Union: The largest U.S. credit union with nationwide membership, offering the full suite of consumer banking, lending, and insurance products that Park Side provides. Comparable in product breadth and credit union model, but vastly larger in scale and geographic reach.

Emerging players

• Alliant Credit Union: A large digital-first credit union offering high-yield deposits, no-fee checking, mortgages, and auto loans nationwide. Represents the emerging digital credit union model that competes with Park Side for the same consumer member base, particularly younger, digitally-native members.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ParkSideCreditUnion
• Instagraminstagram.com/parksidecreditunion
• Xx.com/ParkSide_CU
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/park-side-federal-credit-union

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Park Side Credit Union