BEAVERTON, Ore. – First Tech Credit Union, the largest high tech and telecom credit union in the Northwest, has reached the $1 billion in asset milestone, and so has MacDill FCU out of Tampa. First Tech said the achievement is particularly noteworthy because it was reached during a time of economic recession when, said FTCU COO Bob Corwin "high tech and telecom professionals are not only looking for ways to invest their money for the future, they're looking for safety," and at a time when the credit union is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Chartered in 1952, First Tech currently counts in its FOM more than 80,000 members from the nearly 900 high tech and telecommunication companies throughout the "Silicon Forest" in Oregon. It touts the highest percentage of online banking usage in the world, with 62% of its members using the product compared to a 17.9% national average, accounting to the U.S. Census Bureau. According to MacDill FCU President/CEO Robert L. Fisher, an increase in locations and employees to serve members combined with a controlled steady growth over the past five years has helped MFCU reach the $1 billion in assets milestone this month. MFCU adds about 20 new companies a month and serves over 1,800 company affiliates and 138,000 members.