Our History
Southeast Strong Since 1963

Started by Teachers and Public Workers,
Rooted in the Tongass National Forest

Tongass Federal Credit Union began in 1963 when a group of teachers and public workers came together to form a cooperative that met their community’s financial needs. What started as a small credit union has grown into 14 locations across Southeast Alaska.

In 2023, we celebrated our 60th anniversary—six decades of serving our member-owners, strengthening communities, and staying true to our mission. That milestone reminded us of where we started, how far we’ve come, and our commitment to the future.

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1954

The Ketchikan Pulp and Paper Company builds the Ketchikan Pulp Mill with nearly 1,000 workers, many of whom moved to Ketchikan for the project. Many workers brought families which presented a great strain on local schools. The high school was built, the elementary was expanded and teachers were in high demand.

1956

The Sitka pulp mill was purchased by the Alaska Pulp Corporation. Pulp mill workers from around the U.S. and Canada flocked to Sitka with their families because they were promised journeyman status within six months. During the peak of the pulp mill’s operation, 450 residents were employed.

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1960

A group of Alaska Pulp Corporation workers, many of whom had credit unions at their previous workplaces, resolve to build their own credit union in Sitka. On July 5, 1960 the worker’s efforts paid off. They were approved for a credit union charter aptly named the Alaska Lumber & Pulp (A.L.P.) Federal Credit Union.

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1963

A group of teachers and public workers start Tongass Federal Credit Union because their financial needs were not being met by local banks. The Treasurer of the Ketchikan Pulp Employees Credit Union presided over the first TFCU organizational meeting - a demonstration of the spirit of cooperation among credit unions.

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1985

In 1985, A.L.P. Federal Credit Union became a community-chartered credit union, allowing membership to local residents as well as employees of the pulp mill.

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1999

Our new permanent facility was completed at 2000 Tongass Avenue in Ketchikan.

2001

TFCU became a community-chartered credit union, allowing membership to people living in Ketchikan, Prince of Wales Island census area and the Wrangell-Petersburg census area.

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2005

TFCU opened our first branch outside of Ketchikan, in Metlakatla. In 2023, TFCU has over 1,100 members in Metlakatla.

2006

TFCU opens our first community microsite in Thorne Bay. The local business association volunteers to assist and our first space was inside a sporting goods store!
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2008 - 2022

TFCU continues to expand throughout Southeast Alaska into Klawock, Wrangell, Hydaburg, Kake, Hoonah, and Haines.

2009

TFCU becomes a CDFI (Community Development Credit Union). The purpose of the CDFI is to promote economic revitalization and community development in low-income communities.
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2017

TFCU commissions Tsimshian artist, David R. Boxley to create our “Spirit of the Tongass” design. The Spirit of the Tongass design represents the ancient and modern inhabitants of the Tongass Forest. It represents the complex interconnected life systems of Southeast Alaska upon which we all depend. It reminds us to help one another because people, like trees, stand strongest when we stand united.

2020

The Commons at TFCU opens in Ketchikan to serve and support small businesses. Ketchikan's small business community space, The Commons is a place to foster collaboration, education and new ideas in a comfortable, affordable, and shared working environment.
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2022

Given our shared history and commitment to Southeast Alaska, in 2021 ALPS FCU and Tongass FCU proposed a merger to combine our resources and bring better service and products to all of Southeast.

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2023

Celebrated our 60th anniversary with members across 13 communities and merged with ALPS Federal Credit Union, strengthening our membership and impact across Southeast Alaska.
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Join the Rush

2025

Skagway Digital Site opens, marking our 14th location and extending services even further in Southeast Alaska.

Today, Tomorrow, Together

From our beginning in 1963 to our 60th anniversary and merger with ALPS in 2023, and now into the future, Tongass Federal Credit Union remains committed to serving the diverse and changing needs of our coastal Alaskan communities.
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