Rivermark was founded in February 1951 by 140 grocery store employees who came together to create Safeway Portland Employees Federal Credit Union. From the start, the credit union was built on a simple idea that people are stronger when they pool their resources and look out for one another.
As Rivermark grew, it expanded its reach through thirteen mergers, each one bringing new members, new perspectives, and a broader commitment to serving the community. Along the way, the credit union evolved through several name changes tied to its Safeway roots. In 2004, the Rivermark name was chosen to reflect a larger shift from an employer based field of membership to a community charter, opening the door to serve people across the region.
In 2022, Rivermark earned certification as a Community Development Financial Institution through the U.S. Treasury. This designation recognizes Rivermark’s long standing commitment to strengthening low income and underserved communities, and today Rivermark is one of the largest CDFI certified credit unions in Oregon.
By the third quarter of 2024, Rivermark served 90,000 members living or working across eleven Oregon counties and the entire state of Washington. At that time, the credit union operated 10 retail branches, held $1.65 billion in assets, and employed 300 staff.
A pivotal moment in Rivermark’s growth came on October 1, 2024, when the credit union completed its largest merger to date, a rare merger of equals with a like minded Portland based cooperative. United by shared values around financial empowerment, advocacy, diversity, equity, and inclusion, the combined organization gained the scale and resources needed to serve more people, more effectively.
Today, Rivermark serves nearly 180,000 members across Oregon and Washington. With an expanded branch network, increased assets, and a larger team, Rivermark is better positioned than ever to deliver meaningful benefits to its members and advance its mission of fostering financial wellness throughout the communities it calls home.
