Northwest Ave Branch Update

An agreement has been reached to sell our branch on Northwest Avenue to the City of Bellingham. The transaction will help facilitate additional affordable housing in the Birchwood Neighborhood. The purchase is contingent on a feasibility study which will be completed by October 25, 2024.

The branch will remain open for several months to aid in a smooth transition for Members and employees. Rest assured; all employees will be offered positions at our other locations.

We acquired the Northwest Avenue Branch when Pacific Northwest Credit Union merged with us in 2015. In-branch transactions have been declining at that location and with our Dupont Street Branch less than 1.5 miles down the road, we no longer need the Northwest Branch. Plus, a brand-new suite of digital tools, including a new website and online banking, will be rolled out in 2025 to make out-of-branch transactions even easier.

North Coast is as strong as ever. This decision was not based on a financial need, but rather we are adapting to the needs of our Members and how you like to bank. As a reminder, our other Bellingham Branch is located less than 1.5 miles south at 1100 Dupont St. and our Ferndale Branch is just 6 miles north at 5657 Riverside Drive.

Below is our Press Release on the matter. 

We will continue to provide updates as this process moves along.

North Coast Credit Union selling property to Bellingham to benefit tiny home village

Sept. 30, 2024

North Coast Credit Union has agreed to sell its property at 3250 Northwest Ave. to the City of Bellingham, a transaction that will facilitate additional affordable housing in the Birchwood Neighborhood.

Sale of the 31,056-square-foot property for $1.26 million means North Coast Credit Union will be closing its branch there shortly before closing of the transaction, which isn’t expected for several months.

The City of Bellingham earlier this year purchased an adjacent parcel at 3300 Northwest Ave. as a site for future affordable housing. Its first use will be as a shelter solution named North Haven, which will replace two other tiny home villages in Bellingham that are facing relocation deadlines.

“We’re so happy that we can contribute to better short-term and long-term affordable housing for our community,” said A.C. Griffith, president and CEO of North Coast Credit Union.

“We’ve been giving much thought to how to serve our members as they use online services more while in-branch transactions decline. We’ve already committed to improving our digital tools and launching a new website early next year.”

Griffith added that all seven employees at its Northwest branch will be offered positions at other  North Coast branches, including the ones just 1.5 miles south at 1100 Dupont St. and 6 miles north in Ferndale. 

North Coast Credit Union, celebrating its 85^th anniversary this year, reported total assets of $353.8 million and 20,992 members in its 2023 annual report. Membership is open to anyone who lives, works, worships or attends school in Washington state. North Coast currently has six branches in Bellingham (2), Ferndale, Mount Vernon, Anacortes and Sedro-Woolley.

For more information about North Coast Credit Union, call (800) 696-8830 or visit www.northcoastcu.com.