ONTARIO, Calif. — Member credit unions of the Pennsylvania Credit Union Association will soon be able to join the CO-OP Network, a surcharge-free ATM and EFT network, after the association signed an agreement with CO-OP Financial Services, the network's parent CUSO.

The new agreement will allow PCUA to sponsor member credit unions into the Network.

PCUA said it would still support CU$, a surcharge-free network which runs through Pennsylvania, but added that supporting the CO-OP Network will allow Pennsylvania CUs to offer their members surcharge free ATM access nationwide.

“It was important that we partner with a credit union-owned provider,” said PCUA CEO James J. McCormack. “CO-OP Financial Services provides credit unions with affordable electronic services that allow them to remain competitive in an ever-expanding market of financial services.”

CO-OP Network currently has 564 surcharge-free ATMs located in Pennsylvania, a number that is expected to grow as a result of the agreement, according to CO-OP Financial Services CEO Stan Hollen.

“We've been targeting Pennsylvania as one of the states to bolster surcharge-free ATM accessibility in the Northeast. Our partnership with the Pennsylvania Credit Union Association, which is well-respected across the state because of its long tradition of providing support and affordable services to member credit unions, will be an asset towards helping CO-OP Network's further growth in the region,” Hollen said.

Philadelphia-based Freedom Credit Union, with more than 55,000 members and $325 million in assets is the most recent Pennsylvania credit union to join CO-OP Network. According to Freedom Vice President Kirby Wood, members appreciate the credit union's decision to join CO-OP Network. “Being able to access their accounts at surcharge-free ATMs in 7-Eleven stores and other convenient locations throughout the greater Philadelphia area has proven to be a tremendous benefit for our members,” said Wood.