BRANCHING OUT

Synergy One Federal Credit Union, Manassas, Va., is now reaching the middle school level with the opening of the first student-run, in-school branch by a credit union in Prince William County. Many friends of the education and business community attended the grand opening celebration and ribbon cutting ceremony. Synergy One FCU has successfully run and operated an in-school branch at Brentsville District High School for the last three years. The goal is to bring this success to the middle school level. Langley Federal Credit Union, Newport News, Va., recently opened a new branch located in the Willow Oaks Shopping Center in Hampton. With the opening of the Willow Oaks Branch, LFCU now has 14 branches on the Peninsula. First Credit Union, Glendale, Ariz., celebrated the grand reopening of its Glendale office. The Glendale Chamber of Commerce joined them for the ribbon cutting ceremony, along with City of Glendale Council members and several First Credit Union board members and staff. The new improved office provides a full range of services, including night depository, an ATM and new automated walk-up tellers. CommonWealth Central Credit Union, San Jose, Calif., recently celebrated the grand reopening of its San Jose-Cambrian Branch with refreshments and a ribbon cutting ceremony. After months of construction with a temporary facility to conduct business, CommonWealth opened the doors of its newly remodeled Cambrian branch. The new 3,400 square foot branch offers the same great services that members have come to expect, along with many other convenient features such as, eight teller windows, loan and new account areas, investment services, a children’s center, an Internet kiosk for online banking and two walk-up ATMs. Houston Texas Fire Fighters Federal Credit Union, Houston, recently held the grand opening of its new North Branch location and opened its doors on the newest addition to the credit union. The CU’s board as well as several Houston firefighters attended the ribbon cutting ceremony and reception. The branch is modeled after an old-fashioned fire station and will serve as a full service branch with a two lane drive-up as well as an ATM. Saugus Federal Credit Union, Saugus, Mass., recently held a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the start of construction on its new building on Main Street. Board members and CU staff were among those who participated in the event. The building is scheduled to be completed in mid-2007. LOC Federal Credit Union, Farmington, Mich., sponsored the Warner Middle School’s student-run credit unions, as well as Power Middle School and William Grace Elementary in-school branches. The three schools recently held grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremonies for the in-school branches located in the school’s cafeteria, media center and cafeteria respectively. LOC began its student-run credit union program 10 years ago and now has eight student-run credit unions. Air Force Federal Credit Union, San Antonio, held the rededication of its Main Branch on Lackland AFB recently. A ribbon cutting ceremony to rededicate the building, first constructed in 1976, and a celebration for members and dignitaries was held to commemorate the event. The Main Branch is now equipped with several technological and structural enhancements to better serve members with increased speed, efficiency and accuracy. They include three new drive-up lanes and drive-up ATMs, remote teller stations, additional financial services representative stations, automated coin counter, safe deposit boxes and online banking stations. A coffee bar, children’s play area and televisions with news and product updates are also available in the lobby area for members’ comfort. Laredo Federal Credit Union, Laredo, Texas, opened its third branch. Credit union members, board members and staff attended a ribbon cutting ceremony held recently to celebrate the opening. The new facility will offer a full staff of tellers, loan processor for consumer and R.E., member services, member Internet account access and an ATM. Veridian Credit Union, Waterloo, Iowa, recently opened its branch inside the new College Square Hy-Vee. The new location was officially unveiled during a ribbon cutting ceremony attended by Veridian staff, Waterloo and Cedar Falls Chamber of Commerce representatives, as well as surrounding businesses. A grand re-opening event was planned for the public and the first 100 kids through the door received a complimentary Veridian piggy bank. Adults were invited for a chance to win a $250 Visa gift card, or one of two $50 Visa gift cards. Viriva Community Credit Union, East Norriton Twp., Pa., had over 100 people attend it’s grand opening celebration and ribbon cutting ceremony for its Norristown-area Branch. Each guest received a chance to spin the CU’s Prize Wheel for items such as thermoses, cooler bags and fleece blankets, all with the new Viriva logo. Games, face painting, balloon animals and a drawing contest were also available for kids. The credit union also collected donations of nonperishable canned goods in support of Philabundance, a local nonprofit organization.