The $556 million Rivermark Community Credit Union in Beaverton,Ore., said this week that it plans to close two of its eightbranches this fall, a move it pins on increased use of remotechannels.

The Clackamas and Newberg branches will close on Nov. 9.Rivermark executives cited growth in online, mobile and ATM use inits decision.

Earlier this year Rivermark closed the Salem branch the suburban Portland credit union hadacquired two years prior in a merger.

While Rivermark President/CEO Scott Burgess said he acknowledgedthat branch closures can send mixed signals to members, “ourdecision to close two branches reflects a vision to be atechnology-savvy credit union.”

Rivermark said its online usage has increased 34% year-to-yearand that mobile banking is up 86%. The 64,400-member credit unionclaimed the title of firstin the state to offer mobile remote check deposit serviceearlier this year and said nearly 10,000 members deposited morethan 31,000 checks worth more than $12 million in five months.

“Many members already make deposits, open new accounts, applyfor and electronically sign for loans from their computer or mobiledevices. It's no longer necessary for members to come to us when weare always available online to them, when they need us,” Burgesssaid.

The credit union said it continues to increase its investment inelectronic services. “This adjustment in our branch networkcompletes our current branch vision,” Burgess added. “As membersincreasingly utilize mobile banking or online services, the needfor brick and mortar locations continues to diminish. This is areflection of the world in which we live.”