The first branch of the Lee Family Credit Unions began as the personal concept and goal of a local Washingtonian, KL Lee. He, along with a handful of local Chinatown leaders, initiated, guided, and pushed the idea of a Credit Union run by and for Lee family members. Today’s community has evolved from first-generation immigrants living in an insulated Chinatown with few opportunities for access to an established financial institution to a community of integrated second, third, and fourth generation Chinese Americans living in the suburbs. The spirit of thriftiness and family support continues as the credit union is still run by volunteers, who strive to meet the challenge of relevancy in the face of rapidly changing times, lifestyles, savings and spending habits, and financial regulations.