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Nonprofiteer
← WHATCOM EDUCATIONAL CREDIT UNION

Form 990 for tax year 2024

Filed by WHATCOM EDUCATIONAL CREDIT UNION.

Totals

Total revenue
$166,494,738
Total expenses
$154,291,742
Contributions and grants received
$0
Grants paid
$334,397
Program service revenue
$135,508,581
Investment income
$28,199,353
Other revenue
$2,786,804
Total assets, end of year
$2,957,165,947
Total liabilities, end of year
$2,607,584,743
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$349,581,204
Program services expenses (Part IX)
not reported
Management and general expenses
not reported
Fundraising expenses
not reported
Program service expenses (Part III)
not reported

Line items

Every line the filer filed in Parts VIII, IX and X, as filed and in filed order. Blank columns are left out, and the lines are not forced to add up to the totals above.

Revenue

Part VIII, the statement of revenue.

  • 2a · Program service revenue: INTEREST ON LOANS TO MEMBERS

    total $108,763,850 · related or exempt $108,763,850

  • 2b · Program service revenue: INTERCHANGE INCOME

    total $15,616,427 · related or exempt $15,616,427

  • 2c · Program service revenue: SERVICE CHARGES AND FEES

    total $11,128,304 · related or exempt $11,078,372 · unrelated business $49,932

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $25,596,036 · excluded $25,596,036

  • 6a · Gross rents

    real property $1,698,616

  • 6b · Less rental expenses

    real property $1,919,932

  • 6c · Rental income or loss

    real property -$221,316

  • 6d · Net rental income or loss

    total -$221,316 · excluded -$221,316

  • 7a · Gross sales of assets other than inventory

    other assets $4,710,604

  • 7b · Less cost or other basis and sales expenses

    other assets $2,107,287

  • 7c · Gain or loss

    other assets $2,603,317

  • 7d · Net gain or loss

    total $2,603,317 · excluded $2,603,317

  • 11a · Other revenue: OTHER INCOME

    total $3,008,120 · excluded $3,008,120

  • 11e · Other revenue, total

    $3,008,120

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 1 · Grants to domestic organizations and governments

    total $334,397

  • 4 · Benefits paid to or for members

    total $42,146,055

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $4,665,675

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $33,683,084

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $2,883,880

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $6,401,540

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $2,979,840

  • 11b · Fees: legal

    total $85,188

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $247,246

  • 11d · Fees: lobbying

    total $37,921

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $2,676,781

  • 12 · Advertising and promotion

    total $2,650,948

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $1,995,592

  • 14 · Information technology

    total $9,081,679

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $1,734,216

  • 17 · Travel

    total $63,324

  • 19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings

    total $235,682

  • 20 · Interest

    total $13,266,079

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $2,147,736

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $6,797

  • 24a · Other expenses: PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSS

    total $17,917,301

  • 24b · Other expenses: CREDIT CARD EXPENSES

    total $8,508,480

  • 24c · Other expenses: ATM EXPENSES

    total $541,180

  • 24d · Other expenses: UBI TAXES

    total $1,121

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $123,095,945 · end of year $67,707,299

  • 2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

    beginning of year $189,506,908 · end of year $111,431,236

  • 5 · Loans and receivables from officers and key people

    beginning of year $12,265,616 · end of year $12,388,268

  • 7 · Other notes and loans receivable

    beginning of year $2,126,480,640 · end of year $2,444,027,092

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $3,847,863 · end of year $4,142,160

  • 10a · Land, buildings and equipment: cost or other basis

    $88,264,030

  • 10b · Land, buildings and equipment: accumulated depreciation

    $26,787,993

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $66,817,728 · end of year $61,476,037

  • 11 · Investments: publicly traded securities

    beginning of year $116,094,343 · end of year $161,556,514

  • 12 · Investments: other securities

    beginning of year $87,687,430 · end of year $57,016,434

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $40,483,870 · end of year $37,420,907

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $29,610,156 · end of year $31,895,530

  • 21 · Escrow or custodial account liability

    beginning of year $3,339,528 · end of year $3,426,249

  • 23 · Secured mortgages and notes payable

    beginning of year $172,000,000 · end of year $206,000,000

  • 25 · Other liabilities

    beginning of year $2,225,352,396 · end of year $2,366,262,964

  • 29 · Capital stock, trust principal or current funds

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $0

  • 30 · Paid-in or capital surplus, or land, building or equipment fund

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $0

  • 31 · Retained earnings, endowment or other funds

    beginning of year $335,978,263 · end of year $349,581,204

Mission and programs · 2024

Mission

WHATCOM EDUCATIONAL CREDIT UNION (WECU) IS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT FINANCIAL COOPERATIVE WHERE MEMBERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO SAVE AND BORROW RESPONSIBLY AT FAIR AND COMPETITIVE RATES, IMPROVING THEIR FINANCIAL WELL-BEING AND STANDARD OF LIVING. THIS STATE-CHARTERED CREDIT UNION IS A MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL CREDIT UNION ADMINISTRATION SHARE INSURANCE FUND, AND IS REGULATED BY THE NATIONAL CREDIT UNION ASSOCIATION, AND THE STATE OF WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS - DIVISION OF CREDIT UNIONS. WECU'S MAIN PRODUCTS ARE CONSUMER LOANS, REAL ESTATE LOANS AND COMMERCIAL LOANS TO MEMBERS, WHICH ARE PRIMARILY FUNDED BY DEPOSITS FROM MEMBERS. FINANCIAL EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY SERVICE ARE ALSO AN INTEGRAL PART OF WECU'S OPERATIONS AND SPIRIT OF SERVICE.

Activities or mission (Part I)

OUR MISSION IS TO MAKE A MEANINGFUL DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF OUR MEMBERS.

  • LENDING:TOTAL OUTSTANDING LOANS INCREASED BY 15.00%, AMOUNTING TO $320.96 MILLION YEAR-OVER-YEAR (YOY). DESPITE A CHALLENGING ENVIRONMENT, WECU PROVIDED A TOTAL OF $691 MILLION IN LOANS TO MEMBERS WITHIN THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE.

  • DEPOSITS & LIQUIDITY: DEPOSITS GREW BY 6.33%, AMOUNTING TO $140.86 MILLION YEAR-OVER-YEAR (YOY). BORROWINGS INCREASED BY 19.77%, TOTALING $34.0 MILLION YOY. THESE INCREASES ENABLED WECU TO SUSTAIN LIQUIDITY RESERVES THROUGHOUT 2024. THE INCREASE IN DEPOSITS SUGGESTS THAT THE CURRENT PRICING STRATEGY IS SUCCESSFULLY RETAINING AND ATTRACTING NEW DEPOSIT RELATIONSHIPS. ADDITIONALLY, WECU CONTRIBUTED TO THE ECONOMY BY DISTRIBUTING $42 MILLION IN DIVIDENDS. MEMBERSHIP GROWTH ALSO SAW A YOY INCREASE OF 5.11%.

  • COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:WHILE TECHNICALLY NOT A CHARTERED SERVICE, WECU IS COMMITTED TO COMMUNITY SERVICE AND PROVIDES SUPPORT TO A LARGE NUMBER OF LOCAL EDUCATIONAL, HEALTH AND COMMUNITY CONCERNS. IN 2024, HELPING MEMBERS AND THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE CONTINUES TO BE A PRIMARY FOCUS. THIS WAS DEMONSTRATED THROUGH SEVERAL ACTIVITIES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR THROUGHOUT THE COUNTIES SERVED.

As filed on the 2024 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Listed in Part VII

  • Jennifer Kutcher

    PRESIDENT & CEO

    Total calculated
    $966,326
    From this org
    $884,765
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $81,561
    Hours/week
    50

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $655,977
    Bonus
    $178,759
    Other
    $50,029
    Deferred
    $53,500
    Nontaxable benefits
    $28,061
    Filer's total
    $966,326
  • Jack Ingram

    CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $523,484
    From this org
    $453,215
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $70,269
    Hours/week
    45

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $367,421
    Bonus
    $70,701
    Other
    $15,093
    Deferred
    $41,695
    Nontaxable benefits
    $28,574
    Filer's total
    $523,484
  • Jeffrey Dykstra

    EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT

    Total calculated
    $521,348
    From this org
    $451,454
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $69,894
    Hours/week
    45

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $366,568
    Bonus
    $70,875
    Other
    $14,011
    Deferred
    $41,320
    Nontaxable benefits
    $28,574
    Filer's total
    $521,348
  • Nicholas Hodson

    CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $440,356
    From this org
    $383,666
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $56,690
    Hours/week
    45

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $313,705
    Bonus
    $59,960
    Other
    $10,001
    Deferred
    $28,116
    Nontaxable benefits
    $28,574
    Filer's total
    $440,356
  • Cynthia Chase Klein

    CHIEF HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $392,027
    From this org
    $332,953
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $59,074
    Hours/week
    45

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $275,341
    Bonus
    $53,532
    Other
    $4,080
    Deferred
    $30,500
    Nontaxable benefits
    $28,574
    Filer's total
    $392,027
  • Erynne Maria Hallock

    VICE PRESIDENT, RETAIL DELIVERY

    Total calculated
    $340,190
    From this org
    $293,716
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $46,474
    Hours/week
    45

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $237,549
    Bonus
    $46,437
    Other
    $9,730
    Deferred
    $17,900
    Nontaxable benefits
    $28,574
    Filer's total
    $340,190
  • Matthew Henry Berendsen

    VICE PRESIDENT, LENDING

    Total calculated
    $325,261
    From this org
    $293,268
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $31,993
    Hours/week
    45

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $239,566
    Bonus
    $47,851
    Other
    $5,851
    Deferred
    $3,017
    Nontaxable benefits
    $28,976
    Filer's total
    $325,261
  • Grant David Dykstra

    BUSINESS BANKING SENIOR LOAN OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $324,675
    From this org
    $281,706
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $42,969
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $186,218
    Bonus
    $94,756
    Other
    $732
    Deferred
    $14,395
    Nontaxable benefits
    $28,574
    Filer's total
    $324,675
  • David Pierce Jones

    CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $319,393
    From this org
    $278,242
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $41,151
    Hours/week
    45

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $226,107
    Bonus
    $43,200
    Other
    $8,935
    Deferred
    $30,500
    Nontaxable benefits
    $10,651
    Filer's total
    $319,393
  • Kent Bouma

    VICE PRESIDENT, BUSINESS BANKING

    Total calculated
    $318,149
    From this org
    $289,575
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $28,574
    Hours/week
    45

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $239,969
    Bonus
    $47,851
    Other
    $1,755
    Deferred
    $0
    Nontaxable benefits
    $28,574
    Filer's total
    $318,149
  • Bolortsetseg Smith

    VICE PRESIDENT, INTERNAL AUDIT

    Total calculated
    $255,833
    From this org
    $223,880
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $31,953
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $185,413
    Bonus
    $37,030
    Other
    $1,437
    Deferred
    $2,878
    Nontaxable benefits
    $29,075
    Filer's total
    $255,833
  • Donavon Lee Swinney

    DIRECTOR, INFORMATION SECURITY

    Total calculated
    $251,108
    From this org
    $209,142
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $41,966
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $189,479
    Bonus
    $18,198
    Other
    $1,465
    Deferred
    $12,891
    Nontaxable benefits
    $29,075
    Filer's total
    $251,108
  • David Leroy Dodge

    DIRECTOR, IT INFRASTRUCTURE

    Total calculated
    $241,462
    From this org
    $200,403
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $41,059
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $181,784
    Bonus
    $17,194
    Other
    $1,425
    Deferred
    $30,500
    Nontaxable benefits
    $10,559
    Filer's total
    $241,462
  • Paul Cover

    RE LOAN ORIGINATION OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $241,331
    From this org
    $195,081
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $46,250
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $31,672
    Bonus
    $162,638
    Other
    $771
    Deferred
    $19,356
    Nontaxable benefits
    $26,894
    Filer's total
    $241,331
  • Kerri Lyn Helm

    DIRECTOR, DIGITAL PRODUCTS

    Total calculated
    $228,731
    From this org
    $200,157
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $28,574
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $182,103
    Bonus
    $16,599
    Other
    $1,455
    Deferred
    $0
    Nontaxable benefits
    $28,574
    Filer's total
    $228,731
  • Gabriel Mast

    CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $36,871
    From this org
    $36,871
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Hours/week
    4
  • Kurt Willis

    VICE CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $32,066
    From this org
    $32,066
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Hours/week
    4
  • Kristi Lewis Tyran

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $30,263
    From this org
    $30,263
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Hours/week
    4
  • Carol Lager

    SECRETARY

    Total calculated
    $28,900
    From this org
    $28,900
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Hours/week
    4
  • Dale Zender

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $28,392
    From this org
    $28,392
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Hours/week
    4
  • Ashok Khanna

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $25,150
    From this org
    $25,150
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Hours/week
    4
  • Margo Hammond

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $25,150
    From this org
    $25,150
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Hours/week
    4
  • Stephanie Morrell

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $25,150
    From this org
    $25,150
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Hours/week
    4
  • John Sternlicht

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $18,934
    From this org
    $18,934
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Hours/week
    4
  • David Waschke

    DIRECTOR (THRU 6/30/24)

    Total calculated
    $12,432
    From this org
    $12,432
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Hours/week
    4

Compensation is as filed in Part VII: reportable pay from this organization and from related organizations, other compensation, and hours per week. The total, marked calculated, is our sum of the three dollar columns, with a blank column counted as $0; the form itself has no total. On a Form 990-EZ the columns are Part IV's instead, and on a Form 990-PF Part VIII's — compensation, contributions to benefit plans, and expense account — and the total sums those. A Schedule J breakdown is as filed: base pay, bonus, other, deferred compensation and nontaxable benefits from this organization, with any from related organizations beside each, and the filer's own total. It is shown with the Part VII listing of the same name on the same return. The form gives no key between the two, so that pairing is ours, and is marked matched by us.

Schedule J

Answered yes

  • 1a · Travel for companions
  • 1b · Written policy on the line-1a expenses
  • 2 · Substantiation required before reimbursing expenses
  • 3 · Independent compensation consultant
  • 3 · Compensation survey or study
  • 3 · Approval by the board or compensation committee
  • 4b · Supplemental nonqualified retirement plan

Answered no

  • 4a · Severance or change-of-control payment
  • 4c · Equity-based compensation arrangement

The filer's explanations (Part III)

PART I, LINE 1A
THE CREDIT UNION PROVIDES PAYMENT FOR TRAVEL FOR COMPANIONS FOR MEMBERS OF MANAGEMENT AND BOARD MEMBERS. THIS IS INCLUDED IN TAXABLE INCOME.
PART I, LINE 4B
THE CREDIT UNION MADE NO DISTRIBUTIONS FROM A 457(F) PLAN DURING THE YEAR. THE CREDIT UNION MADE THE FOLLOWING 457(F) PLAN CONTRIBUTIONS DURING THE YEAR. - JENNIFER KUTCHER, PRESIDENT & CEO, $23,000 - JEFFREY DYKSTRA, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, $10,820 - JACK INGRAM, CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER, $10,895 - NICHOLAS HODSON, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, $866 THE CREDIT UNION HAS MADE LOANS FOR LIFE INSURANCE PREMIUM PAYMENTS TO A KEY EMPLOYEE. THE LOANS ARE COLLATERALIZED BY THE ASSIGNMENT OF THE POLICY DEATH BENEFITS AND CASH SURRENDER VALUES OF THE RESPECTIVE LIFE INSURANCE POLICIES, AND THE FAIR VALUE OF AN ANNUITY. THE POLICIES ARE OWNED BY THE EMPLOYEE AND THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TO NAME THE BENEFICIARIES FOR AMOUNTS NOT SECURED BY THE ASSIGNMENTS. THE LOAN ARRANGEMENTS INCLUDE A RECOURSE PROVISION WHEREBY THE CREDIT UNION HAS THE INTENT TO SEEK COLLECTION OUTSIDE THE LIFE INSURANCE POLICY IF THE EXECUTIVE WERE TO BE TERMINATED WITH OR WITHOUT CAUSE AND THE EXECUTIVES HAVE THE FINANCIAL ABILITY TO REPAY THE LOAN. THE LOAN TO THE EXECUTIVE IS NOT DUE UNTIL DEATH AT WHICH TIME THERE IS ANTICIPATED TO BE SUFFICIENT INSURANCE POLICY PROCEEDS TO REPAY THE PREMIUM LOAN PLUS ACCRUED INTEREST.

Part I's answers as filed. A line not listed was left unanswered; on lines 1a and 3 that means the box was not checked.

Grants on this return

The 10 largest by cash amount. The API serves every itemized grant.

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2024
Filed
2 May 2025
IRS schema version
2024v5.1
Source object
202511229349302756

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