BRANCHING OUT

First New England Federal Credit Union, East Hartford, Conn., has announced its merger with the French Social Circle Credit Union as of July 1, 2000. The current West Hartford branch of the FSC FCU will be closed and members will be serviced out of First New England FCU's Newington , East Hartford and Vernon branch locations. First New England FCU has $34 million in assets and serves 9.653 members. Jessop Employees Federal Credit Union, Washington, Pa., has awarded PWCampbell the design/build contract for its new 2,500 square foot main office facility. The main office will be located on the credit union's existing site and is scheduled to open in the fourth quarter of 2000. JEFCU has $19.6 million in assets and serves 2,931 members. Georgia Federal Credit Union, Atlanta, has held the grand opening celebration for its newly relocated 6,204 square foot branch here. In addition, GFCU has awarded a total of $3,000 in scholarships to five high school seniors. The recipients were chosen based on academic achievement, community involvement and individual essays on the value of credit union membership. Brooke Elizabeth Digby of Shiloh H.S. has been awarded $1,000. The remaining four recipients, Mary Alaina Edwards of Forsyth Central H.S.; Zuri Rice of DeKalb School of the Arts; Matthew Henry Toups of Chamblee H.S.; and James Towson of Henry County H.S. have each been awarded $500. GFCU has $209.6 million in assets and serves 53,844 members. Philips Federal Credit Union, Fort Wayne, Ind., has announced the opening of two new branches in San Antonio, Texas and Salisbury, Maryland. PFCU has $180 million in assets and serves 36,000 members. US Federal Credit Union, Bloomington, Minn., has broken ground for its new 49,000 square foot corporate headquarters and retail branch in Burnsville. The building is scheduled to be completed by March 2001. US FCU has $328 million in assets and serves 72,308 members. Kitsap Community Federal Credit Union, Bremerton, Wash., has held a ground breaking ceremony for its new East Bremerton branch facility. The 3,500 Square Foot branch is scheduled to open in early 2001. KCFCU has $344 million in assets and serves 62,004 members. American Sterilizer Federal Credit Union, Erie, Pa., has awarded PWCampbell the design/build contract for renovating its main office. The renovated facility will provide members with drive up transaction lanes and privacy for loan interviews and closings. ASFCU has $21 million in assets and serves 7,744 members. Buckeye State Credit Union, Akron, Ohio, has announced the grand opening of its new 3,600 square foot Canton branch building. BSCU has $53 million in assets and serves 19,000 members. Armstrong Association Federal Credit Union, Ford City, Pa., has held a grand opening celebration for its new West Hills office. AAFCU has $38 million in assets and serves 6,651 members.