The Early Years of Rocky Mountain Credit Union (1940-1945)

Rocky Mountain Credit Union was originally chartered on December 17, 1940, as State Capitol Employees Credit Union by Montana Secretary of State Sam W. Mitchell. With just 47 charter members, the credit union served State of Montana employees living in Lewis and Clark County.

In those early days, services were simple. Members had access to share or savings accounts, with interest paid twice a year in January and July. Operations were managed directly from the Secretary of State’s office in the Capitol building, overseen by a volunteer-led structure comprising a Board of Directors, Credit Committee, and Supervisory Committee.

Following World War II, the credit union entered a period of inactivity. But the cooperative spirit behind it never disappeared.

Rebuilding and Laying the Foundation (1956-1980)

In January 1956, State Capitol Employees Credit Union was reorganized by charter members and state employees who believed in its mission. Over the next several decades, the credit union steadily rebuilt, operating out of various locations within the Capitol building before establishing a more permanent home.

In 1968, the credit union moved to 1212 Helena Avenue with assets totaling $342,000. Continued growth led to the purchase of land at 1820 11th Avenue, where a new building opened in 1976, which remains an active RMCU branch today.

Growth Beyond Helena (1981-1999)

Expansion continued in 1981 with the acquisition of a former Bozeman Federal Credit Union location on West Main Street, marking RMCU’s first branch outside Helena. As membership in Gallatin County grew, a new Bozeman facility was built and opened on Huffine Lane in 1996.

In 1999, the credit union expanded its field of membership to include anyone who lived or worked in Lewis and Clark County, as well as state employees across multiple counties. That same year, a new name was chosen to reflect its broader reach. On October 18, 1999, Rocky Mountain Credit Union officially adopted its name.

Expanding Access Across Montana (2000-2020)

Throughout the 2000s and 2010s, RMCU continued to grow through both organic expansion and strategic mergers. Additional branches opened in Helena, Belgrade, and Bozeman, improving access for members across Southwest Montana. RMCU also merged with Heritage Federal Credit Union, a trusted financial institution in Butte that had been serving its members since 1951. 

In 2018, RMCU became the first privately insured credit union in Montana by transitioning to American Share Insurance, a move that strengthened flexibility while maintaining a strong commitment to financial security.

Even during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, RMCU remained fully operational, keeping all branches open and retaining staff while continuing to support members when they needed it most.