BRANCHING OUT

California Credit Union, North Hills, has celebrated the grand opening of its 9th branch in North San Fernando Valley. During the event, CCU presented a donation of $1,000 to Assemblymember Lloyd Levine’s Kids Fitness Challenge. Tracey Poirier, a representative from Mr. Levine’s office, was on hand to accept the donation. Eli Lipschultz, representing U.S. Congressman Brad Sherman, presented to CCU a U.S. flag that had been flown over the nation’s capital. Others attending the grand opening event were: John Bwaire, representing District 12 City Councilman Greig Smith; LAPD Mission Community Officer Janine Green, representing Acting Senior Lead Officer Stromeyer; and Deputy Donna Smith, representing LAUSD District 3 Board Member Jon Lauritzen. Gwinett Federal Credit Union, Lawrenceville, Ga., has broken ground on a new Loganville branch. The facility will be the credit union’s fifth branch. The 2,400 square-foot branch will include an ATM, night drop and drive-through lanes. El Paso Employees Federal Credit Union, Texas, has celebrated with a ribbon cutting ceremony the grand opening of its seventh branch. The full service facility boasts six drive-through lanes and a drive-up ATM. GFA Federal Credit Union, Gardner, Mass., has broken ground on its first location out of Massachusetts. The Rindge, New Hampshire branch is expected to open mid-2006. Central Georgia Regional Credit Union, Macon, has broken ground a new, much anticipated main office. Using a craftsman-style design with warm colors and rich materials, the new 7,500 square-foot branch is designed to create an inviting, almost home-like atmosphere for members. The full-service facility includes five inside tellers, four drive-thru tellers, a drive-thru ATM and a training facility for member education. Design Build Concepts (DBC) of Atlanta, which specializes in the design and construction management of financial facilities, was selected to provide architecture, interior design and full-time, on-site construction management for the main branch project. Numerica Credit Union, Spokane, Wash., has celebrated the opening of its Wandermere branch with a casino style grand opening. The new 4,180 square-foot branch office serves members with up to four member service officers and six teller stations. Outside, it offers members two drive-thru teller lanes, a 24 hour ATM at the drive-thru, a night deposit box at the front of the building and ample parking space. The branch was built by Spokane-based Vandervert Construction and designed by Emick Howard & Seibert, Inc., a full-service retail planning, architecture, and interior design firm for financial and corporate clients. Texans Credit Union, Plano, has celebrated the opening of a new Plano branch. Grand Opening festivities included fun for kids with bounce houses, face painters, photo buttons and a visit from the Frisco RoughRiders and Texans mascots, Deuce and Savar. Members also entered a grand prize drawing for a Casio Exilim 5.0 mega pixel digital camera.