Get to Know WPCU

Become a Member

Discover Our History, Mission, Membership, and Impact

Banking shouldn't be hard. At Wright-Patt Credit Union, Inc. (WPCU®), we're committed to making it easier for our members to achieve financial success and live the life they want to live. Founded on June 10, 1932, as F.E.U. Local #148 Credit Union, WPCU has grown from a small group of employees helping one another into Ohio's largest member-owned credit union and one of the 50 largest credit unions in the nation.

View our Fact Sheet for key statistics, milestones, and organizational highlights.

Today, more than 526,500 members trust WPCU as their financial partner. With more than $9.63 billion in total assets and over 1,500 dedicated partner-employees, we provide the products, services, and guidance our members need to navigate every stage of life.

Through 38 Member Centers across Southwest and Central Ohio, access to more than 40,000 lower-to-no-fee ATMs, and thousands of Shared Branching locations nationwide, we make banking convenient wherever life takes you.

What truly sets WPCU apart is our purpose. Our mission is simple: Wright-Patt Credit Union helps people through life. 

Guided by our vision to be the best organization our member-owners have ever experienced and the best place our partner-employees have ever worked, we believe everyone deserves a caring financial partner who builds hope and improves well-being. Because at WPCU, we're more than a financial institution—we're a credit union built on people helping people.

Learn more about Wright Patt Credit Union’s Values and Community Standards here.

Our History: Built on People Helping People

It was the early 1930s, and times were hard for everyone—including government workers at Wright Field in Dayton, Ohio, the future home of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. Back then, employees were paid in cash every two weeks. If you didn't work, you didn't get paid.

When one worker became ill and went without a paycheck for several weeks, the employee's family struggled to make ends meet. In response, co-workers each contributed 25 cents to help. Seeing the impact of their generosity, those same employees later agreed to set aside a quarter from every payday to create a fund for fellow workers who might one day need assistance. The money was kept in the nurse's office and became known as the Sunshine Fund. 

What began as a simple act of neighbors helping neighbors laid the foundation for Wright-Patt Credit Union. Founded on June 10, 1932, WPCU has grown from a small employee-run fund into Ohio's largest member-owned credit union and one of the largest credit unions in the United States. While much has changed over the years, our commitment to helping people through life remains the same.

Explore our full history and timeline of milestones.

    • 1932 – Founded as F.E.U. Local #148 Credit Union.
    • 1948 – Renamed Wright Field Credit Union.
    • 1951 – Membership expanded and became Dayton Federal Employees Credit Union.
    • 1962 – Officially became Wright-Patt Credit Union, Inc.
    • 1975 – Became Ohio's largest credit union and expanded membership through Select Employee Groups.
    • 2004 – Reached $1 billion in assets.
    • 2014 – Headquarters relocated to Beavercreek, Ohio.
    • 2022 – Celebrated 90 years of serving members and communities.
    • 2023 – Welcomed the 500,000th member.
    • Today – Serves more than 526,500 members and manages over $9.63 billion in assets.

Community Impact: WPCU® Sunshine Community Fund ®

The WPCU® Sunshine Community Fund® is the charitable giving arm of Wright-Patt Credit Union, Inc. and carries forward the spirit of generosity that helped inspire WPCU's founding. As a 501(c)(3) public foundation, the Sunshine Community Fund partners with local nonprofit organizations to improve, strengthen, and safeguard the financial well-being of individuals and families throughout the communities WPCU serves.

Since 2009, the fund has helped raise more than $2.4 million to support programs and services that address key financial well-being building blocks, including:

  • Financial Education & Literacy
  • Affordable Housing & Shelter
  • Employment & Workforce Readiness 
  • Food Security & Emergency Relief 
  • Financial Services 
  • Health, Wellness, & Social Integration

In addition to charitable giving, the Sunshine Community Fund provides financial education, community outreach, and volunteer support to help create stronger, more resilient communities across southwest and central Ohio.

By connecting members, employees, and community partners in a shared commitment to helping others, the Sunshine Community Fund continues WPCU's longstanding tradition of neighbors helping neighbors.

Discover the impact of the WPCU Sunshine Community Fund on local individuals, families, and nonprofits.

Who Can Join?

Wright-Patt Credit Union membership is open to individuals who meet any of the following criteria:

  • Geographic Location: Live, work, worship, or attend school in one of 23 designated counties in Southwest and Central Ohio.
  • Military & Federal Personnel: Civilian employees or military personnel working at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB).
  • Higher Education: Students, faculty, staff, and alumni of Wright State University.
  • Employer Groups: Employees of participating Select Employer Groups (SEGs).
  • Family Members: Immediate family members of current WPCU members.

If you're not sure whether you qualify, there's a good chance you do. More than 526,500 members trust WPCU as their financial partner for banking, lending, and financial wellness.

Can Businesses Join Wright-Patt Credit Union?

Businesses located within WPCU's field of membership may be eligible to join Wright-Patt Credit Union® and take advantage of a variety of business banking solutions.

To qualify for business membership, a business must:

  • Be located, or be building a principal place of business, within WPCU's field of membership.
  • Be properly registered with the state, if registration is required.
  • Be in good standing with the appropriate state registration agency.
  • Be in good financial standing with WPCU.

Businesses may also apply to become a Select Employer Group (SEG), allowing eligible employees to access the benefits of WPCU membership. Visit our Employer Groups page to learn more about the SEG program.

Banking, Loans, Mortgages, Wealth Management & More

Wright-Patt Credit Union® offers a full range of financial products and services designed to help members achieve their financial goals. From checking and savings accounts to loans, credit cards, mortgages, business banking, retirement solutions available through LPL, and convenient Mobile & Online Banking services, WPCU provides solutions to support every stage of life.

  • Personal Banking: High-yield share savings accounts, checking accounts, and competitive CDs.
  • Consumer Lending: Auto loans, personal loans, home equity lines of credit (HELOCs), and credit cards.
  • Mortgages: First-time homebuyer programs and refinancing handled through our mortgage partner, myCUmortgage, LLC.
  • Retirement Solutions: Financial planning and investment management available through LPLFinancial.

As a member-owned financial cooperative, every member becomes a part owner of the credit union by opening and maintaining a share savings account. Member deposits are federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), and mortgage financing is available through myCUmortgage, LLC. Together, these services help fulfill our mission of helping people through life.

Learn more about why you should choose a credit union here.

Where to Find Us: Service & Locations

Wright-Patt Credit Union  is headquartered in Beavercreek, Ohio, and proudly serves members throughout Central and South west Ohio. Members can visit 38 Member Centers, contact our dedicated Member Help Centers in Beavercreek and Columbus, or access nearly 50 WPCU® ATMs across our service area.

Through participation in the CO-OP Shared Branch network, WPCU members also have access to thousands of shared branch locations nationwide, allowing members to conduct many everyday transactions at participating credit unions across the country. In addition, members can conveniently access their accounts through more than 40,000 low-to-no-fee ATMs nationwide, making banking easy whether you're close to home or on the go.

Location Highlights

  • Corporate Headquarters in Beavercreek, Ohio
  • 38 Member Centers throughout Columbus, Dayton and Cincinnati
  • Nearly 50 WPCU® ATMs
  • Access to more than 40,000 low-to-no-fee ATMs nationwide
  • Thousands of Shared Branch locations across the United States

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Wright-Patt Credit Union® (WPCU®) has one of the most inclusive fields of membership in Ohio, covering 23 counties and hundreds of select employer and community groups. If you live, work, worship, study, or have family ties within WPCU's service area, there's a very good chance you already qualify. Click here to apply to become a member today.

  • Absolutely. WPCU was founded at Wright Field (now Wright-Patterson Air Force Base) in 1932, so serving the military community is part of our history. The following groups all qualify:

    • Military and civilian employees of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base
    • Military personnel in the 14-county area adjacent to Fairborn without access to another credit union
    • Retired U.S. government civilian and military personnel
    • Government employees near WPAFB who lack access to a credit union

  • Yes! The entire Wright State University community is eligible for WPCU membership, including:

    • Current students
    • Faculty and staff
    • Alumni Associates

    WPCU also offers special Young Adult member perks for those under 24. These benefits make WPCU an ideal financial partner through college and beyond.

  • Yes - and this is the most common way people qualify. If you live, work, worship, or attend school in any of the following 23 Ohio counties, you are eligible to join WPCU today:

    • Champaign, Clark, Darke, Greene, Miami, Montgomery, Preble, Shelby
    • Brown, Butler, Clermont, Clinton, Hamilton, Highland, Warren
    • Delaware, Fairfield, Fayette, Franklin, Licking, Madison, Pickaway, Union 

    This spans the greater Dayton, Cincinnati, and Columbus metro areas - covering millions of Ohioans across Southwest and Central Ohio.

  • Yes! Family ties are a recognized pathway to membership. If you have a qualifying relationship with a current WPCU member, you may be eligible too. This includes:

    • Spouses of current members
    • Children of current members
    • Certain other relatives of current members

    Not sure if your family relationship qualifies? Give us a call at (800) 762-0047 — we're happy to confirm your eligibility.

  • Yes! Businesses that have or are building a principal place of business within WPCU's field of membership may apply for business membership. The business must:

    • Be located (or establish a presence) within WPCU's eligible counties
    • Be registered with the State of Ohio (LLC, Corporation, etc.)
    • Be in good financial standing with WPCU

    Businesses may also apply to become a Select Employer Group (SEG), extending membership benefits to all their employees.

  • Becoming a WPCU member is easy and affordable. All it takes to establish membership is opening a TrueSaver® account with a one-time deposit of just $5.00. That $5 represents your ownership share in the credit union — and from that moment, you're a member-owner.

    No joining fees. No minimum balance requirements beyond your $5 share. Just better banking - built by members, for members.

  • WPCU partners with hundreds of organizations - employers, associations, nonprofits, and community groups - through our Select Employer Groups (SEG) program. If your employer or organization is an approved SEG, all members of that group may be eligible to join WPCU regardless of where they live.

    Employees of SEG companies gain access to all the same member benefits - including better rates, lower fees, and a full suite of financial products.

    Ask your HR department if your employer is a WPCU SEG partner or check with us directly to find out if your organization qualifies.

  • Credit unions are not-for-profit, member-owned financial cooperatives built to serve their members, not shareholders. Anyone living, working, worshipping, or attending schools in the specific Ohio counties that each credit union serves are eligible to join that credit union, as well as family members of current members and those affiliated with certain select employer or community groups. Wright-Patt Credit Union® (WPCU®) has one of the most inclusive fields of membership in Ohio, covering 23 counties and hundreds of select employer and community groups.

  • With 23 Ohio counties and hundreds of employer and community groups in our field of membership, chances are WPCU is already your credit union - you just haven't joined yet.

    Check your eligibility and become a member today at wpcu.coop, or call us at (800) 762-0047. TTY users: (800) 750-0750 or 711. We'd love to welcome you.