LONGVIEW, Wash. — Effective Jan. 1, 2007, Weyerhaeuser Employees' Credit Union will sport a new moniker.

The $390 million credit union will change its name to Red Canoe Credit Union. The name change process began in early 2006 when Weyerhaeuser Company asked the credit union to discontinue using the word “Weyerhaeuser” in its name. Weyerhaeuser Company requested this change to more accurately reflect that the credit union is not directly affiliated with, nor a subsidiary of, the company, the CU said. The Red Canoe name resulted from a three-month naming process that involved research from members, communities and staff. In the end, the Red Canoe name was selected because of its “unique Northwest flavor and progressive style,” the CU said. “It reflects our credit union's passion for serving our members. It is also highly distinctive in the financial services industry,” said Robert Kane, president/CEO, in a letter to members. In 2002, WECU added membership eligibility to include everyone who lives, works, or worships in the state of Washington and select employee groups in a tri-county area in Oregon. The credit union serves more than 49,000 members.

“While our relationship with Weyerhaeuser employees and their families will remain the same, today we have grown to serve a wider range of members,” Kane said. “It is therefore appropriate that our credit union's name better reflect the organization we've become.” Separately, on Aug. 23, Weyerhaeuser Co., the county's largest employer, agreed to merge with Canada-based Domtar, Inc. in a deal valued at nearly $3.3 billion.