Kitsap Credit Union is proud to announce that it is the first credit union in Washington State to receive approval from the Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) to make an equity investment under the newly expanded authority granted by Washington State law RCW 31.12.436, which provides state-chartered credit unions with broader investment powers.
This groundbreaking move marks a new era in credit union innovation and engagement with emerging technologies. The investment provides a design partnership with D8TAOPS, Inc., an enterprise-ready AI and data orchestration company based in Beaverton, Oregon. The investment will directly support Kitsap Credit Union’s mission to modernize operations, increase efficiency, and enhance the member experience through intelligent systems and real-time data tools.
“This is a transformative moment not just for our organization, but for the credit union movement as a whole,” said Shawn Gilfedder, President & CEO of Kitsap Credit Union. “Through this strategic investment and design partnership we’re helping shape that future, all while ensuring our members benefit from smarter, faster, and more secure financial services.”
D8TAOPS has developed a proprietary platform that transforms legacy data workflows into governed, agentic AI systems designed for real-time enterprise use. Kitsap Credit Union has already seen early success from the platform through a pilot audit use case that significantly improved accuracy and reduced processing time. Through D8TAOPS’ platform, they were able to develop a private language model within a secure cloud environment, setting the stage for future systems development and member-facing service enhancements.
Kitsap Credit Union’s investment, which complies with the law’s requirement of staying below 5% of net worth, is a measured and strategic move that reflects the organization’s financial strength, innovation culture, and deep commitment to community impact.
“By becoming the first credit union to act on this opportunity, we’re signaling to our members and our community that we’re future-focused,” said Gilfedder. “This investment will ultimately help us deliver better tools, improve workflows, and stay at the forefront of the rapidly evolving financial landscape.”
“This partnership with Kitsap Credit Union demonstrates how agentic AI and governed data orchestration deliver secure, real-time value today. By uniting Kitsap Credit Union’s forward-thinking leadership with our platform, we’re proving that credit unions can innovate faster, govern data responsibly, and set the standard for the future of financial services,” said Troy Wyatt, Founder & CEO of D8TAOPS, Inc.
The Department of Financial Institutions formally approved the investment on September 15, 2025, making Kitsap Credit Union a pioneer in applying the updated state law in a meaningful way.
As Kitsap Credit Union continues to lead with purpose, innovation, and impact, this milestone further demonstrates its dedication to empowering members, strengthening community relationships, and embracing smart, responsible growth.