The $2.1 billion Texas Dow Employees Credit Union in Lake Jackson said Tuesdayit has reopened seven bank branches under the cooperative'sbrand.

TDECU purchased the branches in July from Hancock Holding Co.,the parent corporation of Whitney Bank. This acquisition, and thecredit union's purchase of an eighth Whitney Bank branch inShenandoah earlier this month, expanded the 178,354-member creditunion's branch network from 25 to 33.

As part of the seven-branch acquisition, TDECU acquiredapproximately $34 million in consumer and real estate loans andassume about $30 million in deposits.

The acquired seven bank branches, primarily located in Houstonand its surrounding area, underwent remerchandising such as newsignage. ATMs also were installed, said TDECU in a preparedstatement.

Former Whitney Bank employees were offered employment with TDECUand received additional training on credit union procedures andprocesses, as well as training on the cooperative's customizedcustomer service standards, the credit union said.

“Since reopening the branches, the response from theformer bank employees and customers has been exceptional,” saidTDECU Chief Financial Officer Rhonda Kleinecke. “We were excited tohave the opportunity to occupy the bank branches and welcome theseformer bank employees and customers to the credit union way ofpersonal finance.”

TDECU said all of Whitney Bank's 1,700 customers have becomemembers of the cooperative.

The move is a continuation of the big credit union's push into the Houston area over the past couple years.