About Premier Credit Union

• Our History
• How to Become a Member
• What's the difference between a credit union and a bank?
• Summer Premier Advantage Newsletter
• 2009 Annual Report
• Holiday Closings
• Press Releases
• Your Elected Board of Directors
• Career Opportunites
• Account Disclosures
• Privacy Policy

Locations & Hours

Main Office & Mailing Address           
Premier Credit Union
800 9th Street
Des Moines IA 50309-1202

Phone (515) 282-1611/ (866) 273-9938
Fax (515) 282-5497

West Des Moines Office - Coming Soon!
1301 Grand Avenue (click for map)
West Des Moines, IA 50265
 

Holiday Closings
Premier Credit Union offices will close to observe the following holidays:
 

Our History

Premier Credit Union began as Bankers Life Employees Credit Union on September 11, 1933. The purpose of the credit union was to promote savings and in turn offer affordable loans to its members. Only employees and retirees of Bankers Life Company and their families were eligible to join the credit union.

In 1986 when Bankers Life Company changed its name to Principal Financial Group, the credit union subsequently changed its name to Principal Financial Group Employees Credit Union. The credit union's name changed again in 2001 to its current name, Premier Credit Union. This change was initiated for two reasons.

1. The name Principal Employees Credit Union no longer represented our full membership base. Since our policy is "Once a member, always a member", a large part of our membership over 70 plus years were no longer employed at Principal Financial Group. In addition, we have a growing base of family members that never worked at Principal Financial Group. And although the credit union remains open only to employees and families of specific employers, we have expanded the list of companies eligible for membership (referred to as Employer Partners).
2. The new name, Premier Credit Union, reinforces our core mission, which is to provide Premier Service and Premier Choices at Premier Credit Union.

On April 4, 2004, the credit union moved its office to our current main office location at 800 9th Street in downtown Des Moines, Iowa. The location was picked because of its proximity to the corporate offices of Principal Financial Group where a large number of members still work and its convenient downtown presence for new downtown Employer Partners such as The Des Moines Register, KCCI-Channel 8 and ING.

How to Become a Member

You are also eligible for membership if you are an employee of one of Premier Credit Union's Employee Partners or have a family member who is a member of Premier Credit Union.

Take advantage of all our services by completing our Membership Application.

Member Benefits

As a member of Premier Credit Union, you have access to a full line of free or low-cost services designed to save you time and money.

• Free Checking
• High-Yield Savings & Investment Accounts
• Low-Rate Consumer Loans and Credit Cards
• Loyalty Discount Program
• Competitive Mortgage Loans
• Free Online Account Access, Bill Pay and E-Statements
• Free Telephone Account Access
• Free Debit and ATM Cards
• Convenient Direct Deposit
• Hassle-Free Business Accounts and Business Loans
• Yes, I want to join Premier Credit Union.

Once a Member Always a Member
If life brings you the challenge of changing jobs, there's one thing you won't have to worry about...finding a new credit union.

We stand firm in our commitment to the motto "once a member, always a member." Once you become a member of Premier Credit Union, you're a member for life - even if you change jobs, retire, or move to another city. PremierOnline Banking, TouchToneTeller, and the Privileged Status ATM Network makes accessing your accounts easy and convenient, so no matter where you go you can belong to Premier Credit Union. Rest assured that wherever life takes you, your credit union is never far away.
 

What's the difference between a credit union and a bank?

A credit union member is more than a customer. Over 86 million Americans who are credit union members belong to an institution that is unique in the financial world. While there are some similarities between credit unions and banks, certain features are unique to credit unions.

• Cooperative: No one person or organization owns a credit union. It is owned and governed by its members. As a cooperative, it exists solely to provide members with affordable, convenient financial services. Other financial institutions, such as banks are not cooperatives, don't have members and are owned by individuals or corporate stockholders who may or may not also be the bank's customers.
• Not-For-Profit: As member-owned cooperatives, credit union earnings, not held as reserves, are returned to members in the form of higher dividend rates, lower loan rates, lower and fewer fees and investment into new products and services.
• Volunteer Driven: The active involvement of member-owners is the cornerstone of the credit union philosophy. A credit union's policy-making Board of Directors and many of its committees are made up of individuals elected by the members - all of them unpaid. Credit union member-owners have a direct say in the workings of their cooperative because each member has a vote.

Credit unions are tax exempt for good reason. Congress has recognized the unique nature of credit unions since 1937, when it granted them tax-exempt status. They knew then, as now, that credit unions exist to serve their member-owners... and not to create profit for stockholders. This fact was affirmed recently by a Consumer Federation of America study. Credit unions' tax exemption contributes to their identity as non-profits and helps them benefit society as a whole, according to the study conducted in 2003.

Credit unions have worked hard to keep pace with the rapid changes in the financial world. The core values of credit unions remain the same; service to members through cooperative ownership. That makes credit unions unique in the financial world - and an asset to our members' financial lives.

For more information on credit unions, visit Iowa Credit Unions.

Board of Directors

An all-volunteer Board of Directors that is elected by the membership guides Premier Credit Union in its decisions. The Board meets the third Wednesday of each month from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the credit union's main office to review the credit union's performance and policies, savings and loan rates and other issues brought to the board by the credit union's staff. Directors also serve on various committees that meet monthly as necessary. A Director's term is three years.

The following members currently hold positions on the Board of Directors as elected at the April 13, 2010, Annual Meeting.

Rewarding Career Opportunities at Premier

Premier Credit Union, offers a rewarding, growth-oriented team environment, along with a comprehensive benefits package and attractive compensation structure.

Premier Credit Union  is an Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity. We believe our continued success depends on the full and effective utilization of qualified persons without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, physical or mental disability or any other classifications protected by applicable federal, state of Iowa or local laws.

Online Employment Application

Current Employment Opportunities: