Atlanta –Congressman Tom Price, Alpharetta Mayor Pro Tem Jim Paine and representatives of the North Fulton Chamber of Commerce joined officials from Georgia's Own Credit Union for the grand opening of its environmentally friendly Alpharetta location.

“Since 1934, Georgia's Own Credit Union has worked to be a good neighbor and corporate citizen and this new, eco-friendly location will serve to greatly expand our ability to live up to the tenets of the Georgia's Own brand–we stand for —–the prosperity of our members, we stand for unmatched service, and we stand for a healthy planet,” said Georgia's Own CU President/CEO Charlotte Ayers.

The 4,267 square foot branch features three drive-thru lanes, both walk-up and drive-thru ATMs, a safe deposit vault, a coin-counting machine, an Internet caf?(C), a center for shredding and recycling sensitive documents, as well as numerous green amenities.

HTG Architects Completes Latest

Branch for True West Credit Union

MESA, Ariz. — HTG Architects, an architectural firm with offices here and Minneapolis recently completed the latest TruWest Credit Union branch in Mesa, Arizona.

The 2,200 square-foot space provides members and staff with a space to openly communicate while providing products and services in a secure and inviting environment.

“This branch facility replaces a local older branch and includes the latest member friendly technology and has a drive through for member convenience,” said HTG Architects' Ken Ellsworth.

Capital Communications FCU Opens

Newest Branch in Cohoes, N.Y.

ALBANY, N.Y. — Capital Communications Federal Credit Union has cut the ribbon on its newest branch in Cohoes.

The ceremony also included a special check presentation to the winners of the Capital Communications Cares Foundation's BIG Benefit Raffle.

“We are so excited to be open in Cohoes and we are looking forward to being a good community partner. At Capital Communications, we go beyond banking to put down roots in the communities we serve,” said CapCom President/CEO Paula Stopera. “We have built a strong membership base here and our newest branch has had a very busy opening.”

To mark the occasion, the Capital Communications Cares Foundation awarded cash prizes to winners of its BIG Benefit Raffle. Beatrice Bohm won the $10,000 grand prize. Carrie Shumate and Kristin Stanolind won the $5,000 prize. Five $1,000 winners included Ed DerGurhian, Robert Meier, Steve Nissen, Nic Marini and Lynn Radz.

The Capital Communications Cares Foundation, celebrating its 5th anniversary this year, has given more than $700,000 in monetary and in-kind donations and more than 7,500 volunteer hours to various charities and organizations in the Capital Region. The BIG Benefit Raffle is one of the ways the Foundation raises money for the work that it does in the community.

Royal Credit Union Breaks Ground

On Menomonie, Wis., Branch

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. — Royal Credit Union has broken ground on its Menomonie branch.

The five acre parcel is located at 2615 Hils Court, just north of the Wal-Mart shopping center.

The new RCU location, planned to be open December 2008, will be a 6,000 square-foot, full service office, including teller services, new accounts, business, consumer, and home loans and investing services.

Jeff Jaeger and Linda Thompson have been announced as the branch manager and assistant branch manager respectively for the new facility.

Michigan First Credit Union Honors

Achievements at School Branches

LATHRUP VILLAGE, Mich. — Michigan First Credit Union recently honored students from 11 elementary and middle schools, celebrating their achievements in successfully running a Michigan First Credit Union student branch within their schools. Overall, the 11 schools generated more than $54,000 in student deposits and opened more than 408 accounts.

“Our student branches are extremely important to us, and the students do a phenomenal job running their branches,” said Michael Poulos, president /CEO of Michigan First CU. “We hold this annual breakfast to publicly thank them and recognize their hard work.”

This year, Mac-Arthur K-8 University Academy took home the prize for the most new accounts opened, a total of 110 opened this year alone. MacArthur K-8 University Academy also received the award for having the most in deposit dollars, collecting more than $22,000 in student deposits.

The schools participating in the student-run Michigan First branches include: University Prep in Detroit; and from Southfield, Mich.–Leonhard Elementary, McIntyre Elementary, Brace Ledere School, Stevenson Elementary, Adler Elementary, Birney Middle School, Laurus Academy, MacArthur K-8 University Academy, Levey Middle School and Crescent Academy.

Michigan First established the student-run branches in 2001 as part of its ongoing effort to increase financial literacy among children and teens. In addition to student-run branches, Michigan First also advocates financial literacy through its MoneyKids (ages 0-12) and MoneyTeen (ages 13-17) programs that are designed to encourage children and teens to save money and instill financial responsibility that grows with them.

Michigan First plans to open an additional 10 student branches by the end of 2008.

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