GCS Federal Credit Union, Collinsville, Ill., celebrated the grand opening for its newest branch in Collinsville. The branch has seven employees, is 2,600 square feet and features two drive-thru lanes and an ATM. The grand opening celebration featured snacks and prize drawings throughout the day. Prizes included weekend vacation packages, a gas card, Cardinals tickets and restaurant gift certificates. New members were also presented with a free gift. The credit union also gave out free grocery tote bags during the celebration as part of is efforts to go green. For children, the credit union held a coloring contest and the chance to meet Coby, the Cub Club mascot. Fingerprint kits were also given out to all children that attended.

Innovations Federal Credit Union, Lynn Haven, Fla., held a ground-breaking ceremony for its new full-service branch in Lynn Haven. The branch is slated to open in early 2009. The branch will be a full service location with a drive-up teller window, self-service coin counter, electronic marketing displays and video conferencing. The lobby will feature a state of the art dialogue tower banking concept, a newsstand, coffee bar and wireless Internet access.

A + Federal Credit Union, Leander, Texas, announced that it will open its 12th branch as part of its expansion in the Austin area. The new branch will offer lobby services, drive-thru lanes and an 24-hour ATM. A + has been growing steadily since 1949 and now has more than 79,000 members and $610 million in assets. The credit union is planning a grand opening event for next year that will include a family-oriented celebration and a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Community One Credit Union, North Las Vegas, opened its eighth branch in Shadow Creek. The credit union held a ribbon-cutting ceremony that was attended by the credit union's executive team and volunteer board. In celebration of the opening, the credit union held a promotional rate on a share certificate at all eight of its branches. At its Shadow Creek location, it held an auto loan gift promotion and a three-day, two-night California getaway drawing and a millionaire for a day promotion.

Unitus Community Credit Union, Portland, Ore., held a grand opening event for its new Mill Plain Crossing branch. Unitus held hourly drawings for Visa gift cards and a grand prize drawing for an air conditioning system. Members who opened up multiple products at the event had a chance to win up to $500 in the Unitus cash cube and had the opportunity to spin the Unitus prize wheel. Radio personality Sheryl Stewart from 105.1 The Buzz was on hand to give away prizes and tickets to upcoming concerts and events. The Mill Plain Crossing branch is the first Unitus branch in Clark County and features a complete line of deposit and loan products, financial planning assistance, an onsite mortgage specialist and a tech center for personal and educational research.