Because shared branching borrows so heavily from the ATM industry, some of its terms are similar. Outlets: A shared branching outlet is a credit union branch that is allowed to conduct transactions for shared branching network members. Not all branches of a participating credit union are shared branching outlets. Stand-Alone: A stand-alone is a facility that does not belong to any one credit union, but instead to the shared branching network. Network personnel staff the stand-alones. Issuer: An issuer is a credit union participant in a shared branching network that allows its members to make transactions at shared branching outlets or stand-alone facilities. Acquirer: An acquirer is a credit union participant in a shared branching network that allows members of other credit unions from the shared branching network to use its facilities to make transactions. ————————————– Lay of the Land: Who are the Major Players? In order of size, the three main shared branching organizations are: Credit Union Service Centers Headquartered: Atlanta, Georgia. Primary Service Area: Southeastern U.S. Number of Credit Unions: 545 Number of outlets: 499 Number of stand-alones: 73 Service Centers Corporation Headquartered: Southfield, Michigan. Primary Service Area: Midwestern U.S. Number of credit unions: 309 Number of outlets: 16, six arriving soon. Number of stand-alones: 34 Financial Services Center Cooperatives Headquartered: San Dimas, California. Primary Service Area: California, Western U.S. Number of credit unions: 200 Number of outlets: 440 Number of stand-alones: 0