History
At Inspirus, we believe education is power. That’s why we’re dedicated to investing in education in and out of the classroom through commitments to generous giving, community involvement, and providing financial guidance resources.
Inspirus Credit Union, formerly Seattle Teachers’ Credit Union, received its charter on May 1, 1936, on the heels of a decade of the most severe economic downturn in the United States. Sumner High School math teacher, Robert J. Handy, started with five dollars and a simple mission: teachers helping teachers. Mr. Handy knew that a credit union would allow teachers to help each other through the financial instability and strife of the Great Depression. He recruited a number of fellow educators and University of Washington professors. With a little cash and a lot of hope and enthusiasm, Seattle Teachers’ Credit Union started serving educators across the state of Washington.

Today, Inspirus serves the entire state of Washington—not just educators—and we continue Mr. Handy’s legacy by returning five percent of our net profits to Washington schools through our give-back program. Another way we continue Mr. Handy’s legacy is through Your Money Handbook. In May of 1962, Mr. Handy produced the first edition of Teacher’s Money Handbook—a teacher’s guide to money management and financial literacy. In keeping with providing free, valuable financial advice, Your Money Handbook is Washington’s No. 1 resource for money management and financial education. From understanding the nuances of an annual percentage rate to securing your first car loan, Your Money Handbook can help set you on the path to reach your financial goals.