UTFCU Adds Branch in East Tennessee

UT Federal Credit Union (UTFCU) of Knoxville, Tenn., opened a branch Monday in Alcoa, 14 miles south of Knoxville and its first in Blount County.

UTFCU ($498.4 million in assets, 25,748 members) chose a location within a master-planned “city center” development with a retail lifestyle center, residential areas, office space, hotels and a conference center.

“After much research, we decided that Springbrook Farm was where we wanted to put our new branch,” President/CEO Debbie H. Jones said.

“This branch will allow us to serve our members where they are as we already have a large membership base that lives in Blount County,” Jones said. “We are excited to be able to have a branch location to serve our existing members, as well as new members, in this community.”

The branch consists of a hospitality area, conference room, multiple financial service offices, drive-thru Interactive Teller Machines and a coin counter for member use.

The credit union, founded in 1969 to serve employees of the University of Tennessee, is now open to anyone in Anderson, Blount, Knox, Loudon or Union counties.

Branch expansions were also announced by three other credit unions: Robins Financial Credit Union of Warner Robins, Ga. ($4.5 billion in assets, 268,395 members), Holy Rosary Credit Union (HRCU) of Rochester, N.H. ($424.7 million in assets, 24,528 members) and Blaze Credit Union of Falcon Heights, Minn., five miles northwest of downtown Saint Paul, Minn. ($4.2 billion in assets, 251,436 members).

Blaze Credit Union announced Tuesday it has opened a new branch in a Cub grocery store in Stillwater, Minn., 18 miles northeast of Saint Paul on the St. Croix River across from Wisconsin.

“Having a branch in one of the busiest grocery stores in the state provides our members with the opportunity for ‘one-stop’ convenience, and our commitment to customer service will be on display for everyone who shops the Stillwater Cub,” President/CEO Dan Stoltz said.

This is the credit union’s 27th branch and its first branch opening as Blaze, which was formed in a Jan. 1 merger in which SPIRE Credit Union of Falcon Heights ($2.2 billion, 159,335 members at Dec. 31) acquired Hiway Credit Union of Saint Paul ($1.7 billion, 92,588 members). Blaze is also building branch in Plymouth, Minn., 21 miles west of St. Paul, and said it expects the branch to open later this year.

Robins Financial Credit Union held a grand opening June 27 of its new branch in downtown Macon, Ga.

“Our expanded presence in downtown Macon signifies our commitment to sustainable growth and reflects our active participation in the ongoing revitalization efforts of this vibrant area,” President/CEO Christina O’Brien said. “We are eager to provide expanded services to our members and collaborate with local businesses in this new, convenient location.”

Robins Financial had 23 branches and other locations on March 31.

HRCU announced June 24 it plans to open a new branch in early fall in Greenland, N.H., the town’s first financial institution in more than 20 years.

“At our core, HRCU is a ‘people first’ institution, building lasting relationships with our members and the communities that we serve,” President/CEO Brian Hughes said. “We are especially proud to bring our services to a community that has not had a financial institution in more than 20 years. This new branch elevates our commitment to better serve our growing membership and neighbors throughout the Seacoast region.”

The Greenland branch, 24 miles southeast of Rochester and six miles southwest of Portsmouth, will be located within a new, mixed-use building next to the Greenland Post Office.

HRCU had four branches on March 31.