BRANCHING OUT

BayLands Federal Credit Union, West Point, Va., recently celebrated the grand opening of its full-service branch in James City County. The festivities were covered live with a remote radio broadcast from Xtra 99.1′s Neal Steele and Danette Stout. BayLands hosted a fun-filled event featuring balloons, a Moon Walk, and a complete barbeque lunch topped off with free ice cream for all who stopped by. In addition, there were drawings held for fantastic door prizes such as crystal stemware, golf fees and dining at area locations, and free theme park tickets. Spokane Teachers Credit Union, Dalton Gardens, Idaho, recently purchased property in Dalton Gardens and soon will begin construction on its second branch in North Idaho. The CU also broke ground earlier this year on a branch in Post Falls–the facility is expected to open at year’s end. Construction on The Silver Lake Branch, STCU’s 11th facility, will begin in September and it will open in February 2007. Ventura County Credit Union, Thousand Oaks, Calif., recently began construction on its new Thousand Oaks office with an official groundbreaking ceremony. The modern, new building will include a larger member service area for greater privacy when conducting business. There will be more teller stations, as well as self-service online banking kiosks, and a community room available to area organizations and residents. It will also serve as a “second headquarters,” providing backup for all data systems if the main office in Ventura goes offline for any reason. NMA Federal Credit Union, Virginia Beach, Va., recently celebrated grand opening week for its new Kempsville Branch. Special certificate and loan rates were in effect and NMA donated a ham to the FoodBank of Southeastern Virginia for every new account opened at the branch during the week. The new branch is part of NMA’s long-term expansion goals to better serve those who live and work in Norfolk and Virginia Beach. MacDill Federal Credit Union, Tampa, Fla., recently celebrated the grand “re-opening” of its Temple Terrace branch. Robert L. Fisher, president/CEO of the CU, formally opened the new Temple Terrace office in a ceremony attended by members of the Temple Terrace Chamber of Commerce and the MacDill FCU board. In addition to a more convenient location, the new Temple Terrace branch features drive-up teller windows and a 24/7 ATM. FAIRWINDS Credit Union, Orlando, Fla., recently held the grand opening celebration for it’s newest branch. Those who attended enjoyed fun, food, games and prizes as well as the chance to protect themselves from identity theft by safely destroying their personal documents in the CU’s shred truck provided by Crown Shredding. Children had the opportunity to enjoy the bounce house and a coloring contest. San Antonio Federal Credit Union, San Antonio, made good on its pledge to increase access and convenience to its core members on San Antonio’s near West Side by opening the state-of-the-art Woodlawn Branch. The spacious branch offers four video tellers along with two traditional tellers, safe deposit boxes, six drive-up teller lanes plus a drive-up ATM, and Saturday lobby hours. Members can also learn about Internet banking and access their accounts on a computer installed in a computer room off the lobby area. Kemba Credit Union, Cincinnati, recently broke ground on its 9th branch located in Harrison, Ohio. The building will feature multiple drive-up teller windows and ATM. The branch is scheduled to open in December 2006.