Clearwater Credit Union

What Clearwater Credit Union does

Clearwater Credit Union is a member-owned, federally chartered credit union founded in 1955 (originally by eight Missoula police officers) and headquartered in Missoula, Montana. As of 2025, it serves 66,586 members across 37 Western and Central Montana communities and is recognized as Montana's largest Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), with total assets of $1,143,307,273 (up from $1,098,463,342 in 2024 and $1,031,816,267 in 2023). The institution operates a full-spectrum banking franchise spanning consumer deposit products (checking, savings, money market, CDs, HSA, retirement), consumer and small-business lending (credit cards, personal, vehicle, RV/boat, student, mortgage, home equity, construction), and specialty programs (solar loans at 6.45-6.74% APR, energy efficiency loans, EV loans with home-charging financing, manufactured home loans, payday alternative loans, and a SwiftNote point-of-sale financing product). Revenue is generated through standard credit union mechanics: net interest income on the loan portfolio, deposit service and overdraft fees, credit card interchange, and ancillary financial services including insurance, investments, and financial counseling.

The technology stack centers on a digital banking platform available via web, iOS, and Android (Cotribute-powered online account opening enabling applications in five minutes or less), Interactive Teller Machines (ITMs) with video teller capabilities deployed at multiple branch locations, a Quick Pay loan payment service that operates without online-banking login, and a WCAG 2.1 AA-compliant website. Distribution combines 10+ owned branches across Missoula (4), Bozeman, Butte, Great Falls, Helena, and Stevensville with the CO-OP Network's 5,000+ shared branches and 30,000+ surcharge-free ATMs nationwide, supported by a contact center (406-523-3300) and online self-serve account opening. GTM is direct-to-consumer across consumer, SMB, and nonprofit segments, augmented by community engagement channels (financial education workshops, 700 Acts of Service volunteer challenge, scholarship programs, and the Clearwater Foundation). Federal insurance is provided by the NCUA, deposits are insured up to $250,000, and the institution is a member of the Global Alliance for Banking on Values (GABV).

Name

Clearwater Credit Union

Legal name

Clearwater Federal Credit Union

Website

https://clearwatercreditunion.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1955

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Clearwater Credit Union is a Montana-based, member-owned credit union founded in 1955, serving 66,586 members across 37 communities with deposit, lending, mortgage, and energy-financing products as the state's largest CDFI.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Banking / Credit Union Services

NAICS

Credit Unions (52213)

SIC

Savings Institution, Federally Chartered (6035), Personal Credit Institutions (6141)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industry

Bank & Credit Union Personal Loans (Unsecured Installment) (FSAKAAAL)

Keywords

• Community banking services
• Consumer lending products
• Residential mortgage lending
• Values-based banking
• Community development finance

Headquarters

HQ city

Missoula

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices12 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Interest Income from Loans: Clearwater generates revenue primarily through interest earned on various loan products including personal loans, vehicle loans, home loans, business loans, and credit cards. The credit union offers competitive rates across multiple lending categories.
2. Deposit Services and Fees: Revenue from checking account fees, savings account maintenance, certificate penalties, and overdraft fees. Clearwater offers multiple checking tiers including Basic Checking, Premium Checking, and SmartSpend Checking.
3. Financial Services: Clearwater offers insurance and investment services, financial counseling, and education programs that generate service revenue.
4. Credit Card Revenue: Revenue from Essential Visa and Secured Visa credit cards through interchange fees and interest charges.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Clearwater Credit Union is a member-owned financial cooperative offering a comprehensive suite of retail banking products and services to individual members, businesses, and nonprofit organizations across 37 Western and Central Montana communities. Core offerings include consumer and business deposit accounts (checking, savings, money market, CDs, HSA, retirement), consumer lending (personal, vehicle, credit cards, energy resilience, student), residential mortgages and home equity products, and specialized programs such as Pathway Banking for financial reestablishment and energy resilience lending.

Product overview

Clearwater Credit Union is a values-based banking institution offering a comprehensive suite of financial products and services. The core offering consists of Clearwater Digital Branch (online and mobile banking platform) and Quick Pay (loan payment service). The product portfolio includes personal and business deposit accounts (checking, savings, HSA, CDs, retirement), consumer loans (credit cards, personal loans, vehicle loans including EVs, solar loans, energy efficiency loans), home mortgages (purchase, refinance, home equity, construction), and specialty programs (Next-Door Neighbor Loan, Manufactured Home Loan). Community programs include Energy Resilience Banking, Pathway Banking, Financial Education Center, and Clearwater Foundation. The company operates 11 branch locations throughout Montana with associated ATM networks, serving as Montana's largest CDFI (Community Development Financial Institution).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Clearwater Foundation: Community foundation associated with Clearwater Credit Union for charitable giving and community programs.
• Energy Resilience Banking

Products and services

• Personal Deposit Accounts Checking, savings, money market, certificates of deposit (CDs), health savings accounts (HSA), and retirement accounts (IRAs) for individual members. Includes Basic Checking, Premium Checking, SmartSpend Checking, and SmartSaver Youth CD options.
• Personal Loans and Vehicle Loans Unsecured personal loans (36-72 month terms, $30,000 max, 8.75%-18.00% APR) plus vehicle loans for new and used cars/trucks, electric vehicles, RVs, boats, motorcycles, and motorsports (4.74%-17.75% APR, 36-84 month terms).
• Credit Cards Essential Visa credit card (revolving credit up to $20,000, 10.75%-18.00% APR, no annual fee) and Secured Visa credit card for members building or rebuilding credit.
• Payday Alternative Loan (PAL) Short-term loan product available in amounts of $200-$1,000 with a 5-month term at 28% APR, designed as a lower-cost alternative to traditional payday loans.
• Home Solar Loan Below-market rate financing (6.45%-6.74% APR, $5,000-$75,000, 60-240 months) for residential solar installation including roof replacement or repair.
• Home Energy Efficiency Loan Loans (6.90%-8.90% APR, up to $50,000, 120 months) for home energy improvements including HVAC upgrades, windows, doors, appliances, heat pumps, insulation, and EV wiring.
• Home Loans (Mortgages) Home purchase loans, refinancing, home equity loans and lines of credit, home improvement loans, and construction loans. Serviced locally by Clearwater's Mortgage Servicing Team.
• Next-Door Neighbor Loan Low down payment mortgage with reduced mortgage insurance premiums for qualifying borrowers. Mortgage insurance is fully waived for public works, education, healthcare workers, first responders, nonprofit employees, or tribal members with 5% down.
• Manufactured Home Loan Financing for manufactured homes not on permanent foundations located in approved mobile home communities, supporting affordable housing initiatives.
• Business Banking Services Business checking and savings accounts, nonprofit banking services, business loans and lines of credit, construction loans, commercial real estate loans, and business credit cards for commercial members including sole proprietors, LLCs, corporations, and nonprofit organizations.
• Clearwater Digital Branch
• Home Energy Advisor Personalized guidance and comprehensive home energy assessments helping members understand their home's energy performance and make decisions about efficiency upgrades.
• Pathway Banking
• Energy Resilience Banking Comprehensive program offering solar loans, energy efficiency loans, electric vehicle financing, and home energy advisory services to help members improve energy performance and build long-term energy resiliency.
• Financial Education Center
• Bike Loans
• SwiftNote Financing

Quantifiable outcome

• Voted #1 Best Credit Union in Best of Missoula for 25 consecutive years
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (FHLB Des Moines)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClearwater partners with FHLB Des Moines through the Member Impact Fund to bring critical funding to Montana nonprofits. Local organizations receive grant support for affordable housing, community development, essential services, and economic opportunity initiatives through this partnership.
• NeighborWorks MontanacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClearwater contributes to NeighborWorks Montana, an organization that creates low-interest, flexible financing options for those making far less than median income. Partnership includes support for resident-owned communities and affordable housing development.
• Gallatin Housing Impact FundcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerClearwater supports the Gallatin Housing Impact Fund which helps make homebuying more affordable in the Gallatin Valley through grants and charitable contributions for flexible financing options.
• Missoula Housing Impact FundcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerClearwater supports the Missoula Housing Impact Fund which helps make homebuying more affordable in Missoula through grants and charitable contributions for flexible financing options.
• CO-OP NetworkcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorClearwater is part of the CO-OP Network, enabling members to access 5,000+ shared branch locations and 30,000+ surcharge-free ATMs nationwide. This cooperative network extends Clearwater's physical presence far beyond its own branch locations.
• TSOS (Three Soybeans)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerClearwater partners with TSOS (Three Soybeans) for financial education and wellness programs, helping people move forward with financial stability and confidence.
• Global Alliance for Banking on Values (GABV)coreOthersClearwater is a member of the Global Alliance for Banking on Values, an international network of banks, credit unions, and microfinance institutions committed to values-based banking that serves people and planet.
• National Credit Union Administration (NCUA)coreOthersClearwater is federally chartered and regulated by the NCUA. Deposits are federally insured up to $250,000. NCUA approved Clearwater's field of membership expansion to 37 Montana communities.
• 30+ Montana Nonprofits (700 Acts Challenge Partners)minorOthersClearwater partners with 30+ Montana nonprofit organizations for the 700 Acts of Service Challenge, including Alliance for Youth, Befrienders, Bitter Root Humane Society, Butte Emergency Food Bank, Family Promise, Garden City Harvest, HRDC Bozeman, Missoula Food Bank, and others.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Whitefish Credit Union: Montana-based community credit union serving Flathead Valley and surrounding areas with consumer and business banking. Highly comparable as a Montana-headquartered community credit union of similar scale, sharing geographic overlap and member-cooperative structure with Clearwater.
• Mountain West Credit Union: Member-owned credit union serving members across Idaho, Montana, Utah, and Washington with a comparable full-service consumer and business banking model. Directly comparable as a regional community credit union with similar product breadth and a cooperative ownership model.
• Consumers Cooperative Credit Union: Member-owned credit union serving Montana and Wyoming with retail deposits, consumer lending, and mortgage products. Directly comparable cooperative model and regional focus, sharing many of the same market dynamics as Clearwater.
• Opportunity Bank of Montana: Montana-based community bank offering consumer, business, and mortgage banking across the state. Comparable as a Montana-headquartered community bank with similar geographic focus and SMB/consumer member profile, though investor-owned rather than cooperative.

Regional players

• Glacier Bank: Regional bank holding company headquartered in Kalispell, Montana, operating community banks across Montana and the broader Mountain West. Comparable in Montana consumer/SMB banking market but materially larger and operates as a public holding company under a multi-bank model.
• First Interstate Bank: Community-focused regional bank with significant Montana presence providing consumer, business, and wealth banking. Comparable geographic overlap and SMB focus, but operates at a much larger scale as a publicly traded regional bank.

Emerging players

• Self-Help Federal Credit Union: Federally chartered, CDFI-certified credit union operating in Montana and other states with a community development mission. Directly comparable CDFI mission, member-cooperative model, and focus on low-income and underserved households, though it operates across multiple states with a different geographic footprint.

Broad incumbents

• BECU: One of the largest U.S. credit unions, member-owned and values-driven, with comprehensive consumer and business banking. Comparable values-based, member-owned model, but at a vastly larger scale and broader geographic reach than Clearwater.
• Alliant Credit Union: Large, member-owned digital-first credit union with a national membership base and full consumer product suite. Comparable in mission and product breadth, but competes on a national digital basis against Clearwater's regional community banking model.

Others

• Connexus Credit Union: Large member-owned credit union known for digital banking, consumer lending, and energy-efficient financing products. Comparable in offering a clean-energy/energy-efficiency loan portfolio and member-cooperative structure, but competes with Clearwater from a much larger scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@ClearwaterCU/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/clearwatercreditunion
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/clearwater-credit-union
• Instagraminstagram.com/clearwatercreditunion
• Xx.com/clearwatercu

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

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 Clearwater Credit Union