BRANCHING OUT

<p>Alternatives Federal Credit Union, Ithaca, N.Y., has hosted a ground breaking ceremony for its latest branch. Johnny Russo and the East Hill Classic Jazz ensemble provided music as a complement to seasonal refreshments, short speeches, a drumming circle and a pigeon release to celebrate the new phase of Ithaca’s only Community Development Credit Union. The entire community took part in the festivities. The new facility will be approximately 17,000 square-feet and will include a small business development center, a drive-thru and bike/walk-thru, a permeable pavement parking lot, a green picnic area and a covered sidewalk. CU Cooperative Branching, Inc., Harahan, La., has announced the opening of a fourth stand-alone Credit Union Service Center in Mandeville. Louisiana now boasts four stand-alone Service Center locations and 32 Service Center Outlets available to serve the 500,000 credit union members that belong to the network. Campus Federal Credit Union, Baton Rouge, La., has recently opened a new multi-purpose facility located next to the Pennington Biomedical Center. The new 37,775 square foot, two-story building displays an Italian renaissance style of architecture, characteristic of buildings found on the main campus of Louisiana State University and houses nine departments and 85 employees. Branch amenities include freshly brewed coffee for members and large screen televisions running a Video News Line Service. This service includes national and world news, sports, weather, business, and lifestyle features. Members can shop for an assortment of items – such as shirts, caps, and greeting cards – from the merchandise cart. In addition, plans are underway for a Cyber Caf? with free Internet access and a kids’ play area to enhance the time members spend in the lobby. SAFE Federal Credit Union, Sumter, S.C., has celebrated the opening of its second branch in Camden. The week-long grand opening event was celebrated with daily gifts to all members visiting the branch, door prizes, and a grand prize drawing. A ribbon cutting was held and attended by SAFE FCU employees, Board of Directors, Camden Mayor Mary Clark, and Kershaw County Chamber of Commerce President Buddy Clark. The new full-service branch features a 24-hour walk-up ATM. Maine Credit Union League, Westbrook, Maine, has celebrated the expansion of the Credit Union Service Center by hosting a two-day open house. During both days, over 100 credit union staff and directors stopped by to see the finished project, which added nearly 10,000 square-feet to the facility. As a result of the expansion, the Credit Union Service Center now encompasses over 45,000 square-feet. The expansion also included additional parking spaces, new signage, and a new loading dock.</p>