Suffolk News-Herald

Seeking to expand its membership base in one of the state’s fastest growing communities, Newport News Shipbuilding Employees’ Credit Union had its grand opening Wednesday in the Suffolk Shopping Center.

Credit union officials were joined by about 65 guests including city officials for a catered event and formal ribbon cutting for their 2,450 square foot full-service financial center at 1463 N. Main St.

Those participating in the ceremonies included President and CEO George R. Dudley Jr. Chairman Pamela J. Rowe, Vice Mayor Leroy Bennett, Councilman Charles Brown, Branch Manager Kim C. Swan, and Dr. Ruffin Alphin, pastor at Westminster Reformed Presbyterian Church.

According to Swan, NNSECC is excited about being in Suffolk and looks forward to being able to greatly increase their membership in Suffolk, already some 1,200 strong.

&uot;We hope to be able to serve the Suffolk community and provide them with quality financial services, attract new members and we do like to become involved in the community,&uot; Swan said, noting that credit union employees have been active in Relay for Life, partnering with schools, food banks and the American Cancer Society.

&uot;We are extremely pleased to open such a convenient location to serve our members who live in the Suffolk community, and we are excited about being an integral part of Suffolk’s future growth,&uot; said Dudley.

More than $100,000 in new capital improvements have been made to the facility.

The full-service office includes five lobby teller windows, two drive-through teller lanes and a 24-hour drive-up ATM machine. The facility also has safe deposit boxes and will provide a wide range of financial products and services including financial brokerage services. A total of 10 employees will staff the office.

The lobby is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday. Drive-through lanes are open until 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday and until 6:30 p.m. Fridays.

Small businesses interested in becoming members or having their employees qualify for membership can contact Kathy Barber, business development representative, at 928-7806.

Swan noted that $5 in a savings account are all that is required of members and the credit union will pay up to $10 to buy a new customer’s checks from their bank. There are no minimum checking balances and no service charges.