KLAMATH FALLS, Ore.–Pacific Crest FCU is starting a new year with a new name.
The $378-million credit union is now Sage Credit Union, which it said marks the next chapter in its nearly 90-year history serving rural communities in the West.
With the new name comes NCUA approval of an expanded field of membership beyond Klamath, Lake, Modoc and northeastern Siskiyou counties into additional communities in Eastern Oregon and Nevada.
Why the Sage Choice?
“The name Sage was chosen to reflect both the landscape and the people who live in the region,” Sage CU said in a statement.
It noted that sagebrush is a constant sight between branch locations and symbolizes a “strong connection to the communities they serve,” as sage land is difficult to work and cultivate. The credit union drew a parallel to the effort and perseverance of earlier generations who built lives in the area and said the name represents diligent effort, wise decision-making and roots that run deep.
“This is more than a name change — it’s a reflection of who we are and who we serve,” CEO Chad Olney said in a statement. “Our region is defined by grit, resilience and a special kind of wisdom. The name Sage Credit Union honors the people and land that bind our communities together.”
Originally Known as 4L Credit Union
The rebrand follows a long pattern of name changes tied to growth. The credit union was founded in 1936 by 10 Klamath Falls families, and what was originally known as 4L Credit Union served members of the Loyal Legion of Loggers and Lumbermen in Klamath Falls. A year later, it became Weyerhaeuser Credit Union as membership expanded to mill employees. In the 1960s, it was renamed Forest Products Credit Union to reflect service to the broader timber industry. In the 1990s, changed its name once more, this time to Pacific Crest FCU. after its charter expanded to include anyone who lived, worked or worshiped in Klamath and Lake counties.
“This is not a merger or a sale,” Olney added in a statement. “It’s the same team, the same branches and the same commitment to community that has guided us since 1936 — just with a name that better reflects our shared future.”
