Alternatives FCU makes a media splash with new facility

ITHACA, N.Y. – The $42 million Alternatives Federal Credit Union became a temporary sensation in the local media when it consolidated two of its former structures into one newly built facility at Tompkins County’s most prominent intersection. “We were featured in broadcasts on two local T.V. stations, a local radio station, and the Ithaca Journal, the daily paper, ran two stories about us and wrote a very favorable editorial, which was nice,” said Alternatives CEO Bill Myers. Myers was speaking from the credit union’s new building which he said was still full of contractors finishing off last minute details. “The good news is that our punch list appears to be diminishing faster than it grows,” Myers said. The credit union moved into its new 17,500 square foot facility over the weekend when it also accepted a grant of $10,000 from the National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions for its individual development accounts (IDA) program. Myers said about 200 members have started using the accounts in the five years since the credit union started offering them to help account holders save towards home ownership, education or to save money to start a small business.