TUMWATER, Wash. – O Bee CU, chartered as the credit union for Olympia Brewing Co., returned to its roots by issuing a gold Visa credit card with the image of the Olympia beer logo, with its trademark horseshoe, Tumwater Falls, the expression “good luck,” and the classic “Olympia” lettering.
The credit union negotiated with Pabst Blue Ribbon for the use of the Olympia beer brand on its credit card. The brewery closed in 2003.
“This means the Oly brand and icon are returning to Tumwater where it originated,” said Lee Wojnar, vice president of O Bee CU.
The image on the credit card is nearly identical to the original logo, except for “It’s the water,” which Visa would not allow the credit union to use, Wojnar said.
The $150-million credit union, originally the Olympia Brewing Company Employees and Families CU, was chartered in 1955 by Ted McGill, a former employee who used to work in the bottle house of the brewery. It now serves all of Washington state.
The new card offers 1% cash back with no limits on most purchases.
