TopLine Nods to Tradition with Branch Cornerstone
BROOKLYN PARK, Minn. — TopLine Federal Credit Union is taking a page from an age-old tradition for its latest branch in Brooklyn Park.
Enlisting the help of employees, TopLine filled a time capsule with items to mark the year, the event, and the history of the credit union and marked it with a cornerstone located on the northwest corner of the Brooklyn Park branch.
“You see cornerstones typically in old buildings of all sorts with the year but they were always embedded in period architecture, so we had this novel idea–why not connect the solid tradition of the past with the contemporary design of our modern state-of-the-art branch,” said TopLine President/CEO Harry Carter.
The facility itself boasts a bright member-friendly atmosphere, three drive-through lanes for convenient access to tellers and an ATM. Inside, members can enjoy a self-serve refreshment station, fun kids area, easy to use coin counting machines and a retail branding space that is set aside to display everything from motorcycles and custom choppers to ATVs.
Carter says the cornerstone/time capsule idea also turned into an unexpected team building exercise.
“Everyone in every single depart got involved in selecting items to go into the time capsule,” said Carter. “From samples of today's technology like cell phones and cds to marketing literature and photographs we put it in the capsule. The credit union is 72 years old so it will be great to see how we've changed and grown when it is opened.”
He adds that time capsules create a guide to the past and help future generations understand what life may have been like back then. TopLine's cornerstone is set to open in another 70 years. Plans are to continue the cornerstone tradition in the next TopLine branch.
“The hope is that it's opened with TopLine still in existence and with the history of the credit union preserved with the items within,” said Carter.
PEFCU Branches Out in Southside
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue Employees Federal Credit Union is opening its seventh full-service branch in Lafayette.
“At PEFCU, we are committed to making financial transactions as easy and convenient as possible for our members,” said PEFCU CEO Bill Connors. “With 5,000 members living in a three-mile radius of our new branch, the decision to build was simple. We look forward to continuing to serve those members at the highest level possible, and to welcoming new members who may be looking for a better alternative to reach their financial goals.”
The spacious 3,365-square foot building sits on a beautifully landscaped one-acre property. The branch features a blend of personalized service and latest technology with a traditional four-station teller line, private meeting spaces, on-site mortgage services, Internet caf?(C), four drive-up lanes and an outdoor ATM.
Members Choice CCU Unveils LeClaire Branch
LECLAIRE, Iowa — Members Choice Community Credit Union members have a new branch to call home.
The LeClaire branch completed by Eden Praire, Minnesota design/build firm HTG Architects, is a one-story, 6,700 square foot facility designed around the concept of member convenience. The brick builing is prominently located off a major interstate highway and incorporates the latest in technology in a professional yet comfortable environment.
The branch also features non-traditional teller services as a way for members and staffers to better connect and build deeper relationships.
Founders FCU Opens Elementary School Branch
LANCASTER, S.C. — Founders Federal Credit Union has opened the doors to a new branch inside McDonald Green Elementary School.
The unique branch, run by instructors at the school, will teach students the value of money and the importance of saving in the future. The branch will open each Friday morning from 6:50 A.M. until 7:20 A.M. during the school year so students can make deposits to their accounts.
This marks the credit union's third in-school branch and the second in Lancaster County. Last school year, Founders opened a branch inside Brooklyn Springs Elementary in Lancaster and also Ebenezer Avenue Elementary in Rock Hill, S.C.
“When McDonald Green Elementary learned of our partnership with Brooklyn Springs Elementary, school officials approached us about helping them teach students about saving,” said Founders FCU President/CEOBruce Brumfield. “We thought this would be a unique way for students to learn the value of saving money and allow us to get involved in our community and strengthen our relationship with the school system.”
As an incentive for joining, students receive a free gift with their initial deposit. Students who deposit $25 join the Daniel the Spaniel Kids Savings Club and receive a free customized t-shirt. More savings incentives are offered at benchmarks from $50 to $500. Midway through the year, Founders will also host an ice cream party for participating students. And, at the end of the year, participating students will receive a free pizza party.
MVFCU Closes on New HQ
NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. — Merrimack Valley Federal Credit Union has closed on its new headquarters in the newly refurbished historical building on the Riverwalk in Lawrence.
The move represents the final step toward relocating the credit union's corporate offices from North Andover.
A building that had once served as a power plant for surrounding bustling mill buildings during the early 1900s and served the textile boom for the Merrimack Valley Region, had sat idle for more than half a century and was representative of everything that had gone wrong for the City of Lawrence, is the credit union's new home.
According to MVFCU executives, nothing could have been accomplished without the aide of Joseph Bevilacqua, president/CEO of the Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce; Sal Lupoli, owner of the Riverwalk; Lawrence Mayor Michael J. Sullivan and local state and federal legislators who have been committed to the project.
Merrimack Valley FCU will host a grand opening celebration of its new corporate headquarters and new 5,000 square foot branch on Saturday, September 29th.
“This project will define who we are as a credit union, but more importantly will define the future of our community,” said MVFCU President/CEO Peter J. Matthews Jr. reflecting on the two-year project.
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