BRANCHING OUT

Educational Employees Credit Union, Fresno, Calif., opened its twelfth branch on February 21, in Merced. A ribbon cutting ceremony was held on March 2. The new branch is the first EECU location in Merced and features a staff of eight employees and an ATM. CFE Federal Credit Union, Orlando, Fla., hosted an official grand opening ceremony for its new MetroWest branch. Many were in attendance for the ceremony, including CFE President/CEO Joseph A. Melbourne and Chairman George P. Drivas. With the new branch, CFE now has 12 convenient branch locations in the Metro Orlando area. The official ribbon cutting ceremony was followed by a reception and a tour of the new facility. Holy Rosary Credit Union, Rochester, N.H., broke ground on its new Farmington branch. With locations already in Rochester and Dover, this new 3,000 square foot facility will be the third in the region for the CU. The new branch will include an expanded drive-up facility and an ATM. In addition to credit union services, HRCU looks forward to being involved in the many community activities in Farmington and the Lakes region. SunWest Federal Credit Union, Phoenix, announces the opening of its newest branch in Tucson. The new office opens with a fundraising campaign to benefit the local humane society and pet adoption organization. The fundraiser will begin with the branch opening and continue throughout April, during which time SunWest will donate $5 to the local pet shelter for each new account or service added to the branch. The festivities will also feature pet rescue adoption services from People Assisting Kindred Spirits, a Tucson based organization that will be on-site with a dozen or more canines needing new homes. The new location is the seventh statewide branch. AmeriChoice Federal Credit Union, Mechanicsburg, Pa., and Central Pennsylvania College announce the grand opening of the Central Pennsylvania College Branch of AmeriChoice Federal Credit Union. The grand opening and ribbon cutting celebration for the new branch was held on March 21 at the Central Pennsylvania College Advanced Technology Education Center. Proponent Federal Credit Union, Nutley, N.J., has opened its newest branch in Newark. The office opened its doors for business Monday, March 20, after a grand opening celebration and ribbon cutting ceremony attended by local organizations such as the Newark Public Library, Newark YMCA, NJPAC, the Newark Bears, Regional Business Partnership and WBGO Radio. The new location will be Proponent’s 10th office. Neighbors Federal Credit Union, Baton Rouge, La., broke ground to begin construction of its newest branch at Howell Place, a business park development. In a demonstration of Neighbor’s commitment to its members and the community, the new branch will feature more than 5,300 square feet of service area, including four drive-through lanes and an additional drive-through ATM. Members will enjoy the convenience of a full-service lobby including safe deposit boxes and online banking stations. Construction is just beginning and completion is anticipated for the fall of 2006. Crump Wilson Architects designed the project and Grand Construction will be in charge of the construction process. MidWest Financial Credit Union, Ann Arbor, Mich., recently opened its Jackson Road branch, the sixth branch office for the CU and the fourth office to open in the past 18 months. The board of directors, public officials and local dignitaries gathered for the ribbon cutting ceremony on March 20. The actual ribbon was made of $20 bills and after Michael Schoroer, chairman of the board, cut the ribbon he presented half of it to Sara Hickey of C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital and half to Latania Fair of Alpha House. Heritage Credit Union, Sauk City, Wis., announces that its new Sauk City branch is open. The new branch will function as a full-service credit union, offering a full portfolio of financial products, 24-hour conveniences and extended hours. The facility features a large lobby and waiting area and private offices for loan inquiries. It also offers the convenience of two drive-through lanes and a drive-up ATM.