ABOUT US
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 the employees at Steelcase. 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, which was 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" into 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 this 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. Big changes happened for the credit union in 2015. 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 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 some much-needed space for the team. The new HQ allowed for all departments to be housed in the same location instead of being spread out at all six branches.
In 2020, the year we all will never forget. Construction was greatly hampered by the sweeping pandemic. Pushing through setbacks and delays, the new branch opened in 2021 while construction continued 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!
Community West Legacy Foundation
Empowering our community - building a stronger future together.
Realizing that, as an organization, we could do more in our local communities, the Community West Legacy Foundation was created in June 2021. The Foundation aims to assist in developing and supporting charitable organizations whose focus positively enriches Michigan communities.
The Foundation is made up of four pillars: Community Development, Financial Literacy, Empowering Youth, and Advocation of Human Rights.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
You matter here.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Mission Statement:
Community West Credit Union embraces a culture of positive change, authenticity, acceptance, and inclusion through building awareness, continued education, and being an ally to all.
We are working to create an environment where everyone belongs, feels welcomed, and empowered to bring their whole, authentic selves as meaningful contributors. As an employer and community organization, we are committed to making decisions without discrimination based on race, religion, color, sex, national origin, disability, age, height, weight, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other classification.
In June 2020, Community West established an internal Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) Group. Since its conception, the DEI Group has organized diversity, equality, allyship, unconscious bias, and dis/ability training for all staff. In 2021, we adopted the expansion of protected classes for federal employers in the EEO, Anti-Harassment, and Affirmative Action policies to include height, weight, familial status, marital status, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender identity, or gender expression.
In January 2023, as we continued to evolve and grow, we elevated as an organization to include belonging. Our internal group is now called Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DIBs). We continue to expand our knowledge and ensure we align with Community West Credit Union’s Strategic Plan.