History
80+ years of service and innovation at Wings.
Founded in 1938 by 7 airline employees, Wings Credit Union has become one of the nation’s largest credit unions. While much has changed in 80+ years, our commitment to unsurpassed member service and superior financial products remains the same. Today, Wings is proud to serve employees throughout the aviation industry, as well as the Twin Cities, Atlanta, Detroit, Orlando and Seattle/Tacoma metro areas.
1938
Charter for Northwest Airlines employee credit union signed. Loan interest rate was 1% per month (12% APR); share dividend rate, 5% per year – considerably better than local bank rates.
1945-49
World War II ends; assets grow by nearly 500%, fueled by returning military personnel and airline growth.
1964
Credit union celebrates its 25th anniversary and amends charter to include members' spouses and blood relatives.
1969
Becomes the first Minnesota credit union to convert to an online computer system. Assets grow to $9.6 million.
1970
Federal deposit insurance (NCUSIF) added. Seattle office opens to serve growing number of members in area.
1973-76
New products and services added: Line of Credit, Certificates, Share Drafts/Checking, cash cards and cash machine.
1975
Charter amended to guarantee lifetime membership, regardless of residence or employment – "Once a member, always a member."
1975
Assets at year-end are valued at $46.5 million.
1981-86
New products added – many of which were virtually unheard of at the time: direct deposit, IRAs, 24-hour phone access, Visa® credit cards, home equity loans.
1986
Potential membership base doubles as Northwest acquires Republic Airlines.
1987
New offices opened in Detroit and Memphis.
1989
Credit union assets reach $304 million.
1993
Credit union introduces in-house first mortgages and investment services (offered through a subsidiary).
1997
The credit union's first website is launched.
1997
New offices open in Atlanta, GA; Detroit, MI; and Chisholm, MN.
1999
Groundbreaking held at new headquarters building. Online banking introduced. Assets recorded at $766 million.
2000
New Apple Valley headquarters building opens.
2001
Credit union attains milestone of $1 billion in assets.
2003
Expands charter to become first credit union serving all air transportation. Adopts the name Wings Financial Federal Credit Union.
2009
Opens new branch in Edina, MN. Expands charter to also include residents of the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area.
2010
Mergers with Highgrove Community Credit Union and City-County Federal Credit Union add a new branch in St. Paul. Expands Seattle charter to include residents of the Seattle-Tacoma area.
2013
Wings celebrates 75 years with 19 branch offices nationwide and assets over $4 billion.
2017
Recognized as the top Minnesota financial institution by Money Magazine and a top-5 U.S. credit union by BankRate.com. Second building added to corporate campus.
2018
Wings celebrates 80 years with a merger and multiple acquisitions, adding locations in Coon Rapids, Otsego, Plymouth and Thief River Falls, Minnesota. Innovative new branch built in Maple Grove.
2020
Wings launches a new website to help members more easily connect with their accounts online.
2021
Wings acquires Brainerd Savings & Loan, which expands the credit union’s footprint into the Brainerd Lakes area. A new branch was built and opened in Baxter, MN in 2022.
2022
Wings announces that it will acquire Settlers Bank.