Goldenwest Credit Union

Goldenwest Credit Union is a federally chartered credit union headquartered in Ogden, Utah, regulated under the authority of the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). As of June 1, 2025 Goldenwest serves over 200,000 members, holds over $3.7 billion in assets, and operates 50 branches throughout Utah and Idaho. Goldenwest is a not-for profit, financial cooperative that is owned, governed and operated by its members. Goldenwest exists to provide financial products and services that members require to succeed.

Goldenwest Credit Union

Company type	Credit union
Industry	Financial services
Founded	1936
Headquarters	South Ogden, Utah, United States
Area served	Weber County, Utah, Morgan County, Utah, Davis County, Utah, Utah County, Utah, Washington County, Utah, Cache County, Utah, Box Elder County, Utah, Salt Lake County, Utah, Utah, Madison County, Idaho, Bonneville County, Idaho, Ada County, Idaho, Kootenai County, Idaho, Idaho
Products	Savings; Checking; Consumer Loans; Mortgages; Credit Cards; Insurance Services; Investments
Total assets	$3.7B USD (2025)
Number of employees	675
Website	www.gwcu.org

History

The history and organization of Goldenwest Credit Union goes back to the 1930s as the people of Utah were recovering from the great depression.

Mr. Volta D. Perry, a car inspector for the Ogden Railway and Depot Company, heard of the Federal Credit Union Act of 1934 by the U.S. Congress. His investigation led to the organization of the Ogden Railway and Depot Company Employees Federal Credit Union on May 13, 1936.

The organizational meeting took place in the Union Depot Building Old Timer’s Hall in Ogden. The founders were seven men who were employed by the Ogden Railway and Depot Company. Assets at the organizational date were $10.50.

In 1940, the name was modified to Ogden Railway Employees Federal Credit Union as the field of membership had been enlarged to include all of the railroad workers in the Ogden yards. The name changed again over next 20 years as the words “Employees” and “Federal” were dropped. In 1984, members voted to change the name of Ogden Railway Credit Union to Goldenwest Credit Union to be more representative of the expanding membership base.

Early operations were conducted from the home of the treasurer Irving L. Christensen. Later, the credit union office was housed in a small room at the Union Depot. It was 20 years before an official credit union office was rented a few blocks from the railroad yards. On June 9, 1962, a new building was dedicated on 26th Street in downtown Ogden. Goldenwest was the first credit union in Utah to build its own facility. In the year 2000, the Corporate Office moved to the existing headquarters at 5025 Adams Avenue in South Ogden.

In 2007, Goldenwest received the honor of being named the "Federal Credit Union of the Year"^[1] for credit unions with $150+ million in assets by the National Association Federal Credit Union. Credit unions from around the country were considered for the award, and were judged on topics including: unusual growth; member service; handling adverse situations; sound financial management; consumer education; commitment to community; and, serving low-to-moderate income members.

On October 1, 2013, Goldenwest Credit Union merged with USU Credit Union. USU Credit Union retained its name and USU-affiliated brand as a division of Goldenwest Credit Union.^[2]

On December 23, 2015, Goldenwest held a ribbon cutting for its new Operations Center. The 25,000 square-foot Operations Center located in Washington Terrace, one block south of the Goldenwest Corporate Center.^[3]

In January 2017, Healthcare Credit Union officially merged with Goldenwest Credit Union. Healthcare Credit Union was established in 1950 in Salt Lake City at LDS Hospital. At the time of the merger, Healthcare Credit Union held $75 million in assets and served 7600 members. The merger came with 8 branches, 6 of which were satellite offices in Intermountain Healthcare facilities – the primary SEG of Healthcare Credit Union. The two brick-and-mortar branches were in Salt Lake City and Murray.^[4]

In the spring of 2017, the Credit Union acquired Benefit Management Services, a 30-year old healthcare insurance brokerage based in Salt Lake City. With the brokerage, Goldenwest Health Insurance dba Goldenwest Financial Services began to offer group health, dental, vision and life insurance plans to Utah businesses.

At the beginning of 2022, Goldenwest Credit Union acquired Lincoln Title based in Ogden, Utah. Due to several regulatory issues, Lincoln Title retained its name.

Goldenwest’s entry into Idaho became official with a branch opening in Rexburg in February 2022, and a ribbon cutting ceremony held on March 10, 2022.

After six years of planning and nearly two years of construction, Goldenwest Credit Union officially opened its new Corporate Center with a ribbon cutting on November 17, 2023. The grand opening celebration marked a significant milestone for the Credit Union, featuring addresses from local many dignitaries. The new Goldenwest Corporate Center was an impressive addition to Weber County with a five-level, 100,000 square-foot facility standing a four-acre parcel of land at 5151 South 400 East in the City of Washington Terrace. The architectural design of the Corporate Center showcases panoramic views of the Wasatch Mountains to the east and the Great Salt Lake to the west. The state-of-the-art facility was designed to bring together the Credit Union’s retail teams to foster collaboration and teamwork.^[5]

At the close of 2024, the Credit Union posted assets at $3,456,655,982 for an annual increase of 13.0%. Net membership grew by 5.30% to 195,086 total members.^[6]