Promotional image for First Tech's partnership with Portland's new WNBA team and the Portland Thorns. (Credit/First Tech FCU)
In the latest move by a credit union to support female athletes, the $16.7 billion First Technology Federal Credit Union announced Thursday that it has become the inaugural partner and Official Credit Union of Portland's new Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) team as well as the Official Credit Union of the Portland Thorns, a women's soccer club.
While headquartered in San Jose, Calif., First Tech operates one location in Portland and six locations in the Portland suburbs of Beaverton, Hillsboro and Wilsonville.
According to the announcement, the partnerships will include community initiatives with local nonprofits focused on creating interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) among populations historically underrepresented in the tech industry, such as women; collaborations highlighting emerging tech companies across the region; access to financial literacy resources and banking solutions to members from both organizations, including First Tech's Relocation Banking Services; a new, undisclosed game-day tradition; and collaboration to deeper integrate advanced stats into the fan experience.
What's more, First Tech will become the first "Community Game Changer" partner of both teams, a top-tier designation reserved for partners demonstrating a significant commitment to women's sports, the credit union said. Financial terms of the partnerships were not disclosed.
The WNBA announced last month that it had awarded its 15th franchise to Portland. The team will be owned and operated by sports investment firm RAJ Sports, and will begin playing in the 2026 season. RAJ Sports also owns the Portland Thorns.
"We are thrilled to welcome First Tech Federal Credit Union as our first game changer to our Portland Thorns and Portland WNBA family," Portland Thorns and Portland WNBA owner Lisa Bhathal Merage said. "First Tech is an innovative company that shares our values and is committed to the growth of women's sports. This partnership shows a collaborative alignment in support of our community and collectively we will continue to make Portland the best place in the world for women's sports."
First Tech President/CEO Greg Mitchell added, "At First Tech, we know our tech community is passionate about women's sports. We're proud to invest and support their interests. This partnership will not only bolster women's sports but also deliver significant and meaningful benefits to both our current and future members."
If its recently-proposed merger with the $11.9 billion Digital Federal Credit Union in Marlborough, Mass., is approved, First Tech is set to become the sixth-largest credit union in the nation in 2025.
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Natasha Chilingerian
Natasha Chilingerian has been immersed in the credit union industry for over a decade. She first joined CU Times in 2011 as a freelance writer, and following a two-year hiatus from 2013-2015, during which time she served as a communications specialist for Xceed Financial Credit Union (now Kinecta Federal Credit Union), she re-joined the CU Times team full-time as managing editor. She was promoted to executive editor in 2019. In the earlier days of her career, Chilingerian focused on news and lifestyle journalism, serving as a writer and editor for numerous regional publications in Oregon, Louisiana, South Carolina and the San Francisco Bay Area. In addition, she holds experience in marketing copywriting for companies in the finance and technology space. At CU Times, she covers People and Community news, cybersecurity, fintech partnerships, marketing, workplace culture, leadership, DEI, branch strategies, digital banking and more. She currently works remotely and splits her time between Southern California and Portland, Ore.
