ANDERSON, Ind. — Independent Federal Credit Union Board President Mark Fetz hopes the credit union’s newly opened building sends a clear message to Madison County: We’re sticking around.
The credit union had an open house and grand opening ceremony Wednesday at its grandiose new facility at 38th Street and Scatterfield Road. Members and community leaders gathered at the site for a ribbon-cutting, tours and giveaways, and the credit union plans to have special deals going on today and Friday.
“It’s been almost two years and it’s been a long two years,” Fetz said. “I could not wait to get these doors open. We wanted people to know we were going to be here and we wanted this building to say that.”
The new credit union changes the concept of traditional banking with a long counter with multiple tellers. Instead, the facility houses banking “pods,” half-circle counters with privacy dividers to provide one-on-one time with tellers. Fully automated cash machines allow the tellers to spend more time focusing on the customer and less time counting bills, said project manager Randal Eads of Atlanta, Ga.-based Level 5 LLC.
“This is a unique way of banking,” Eads said. “It’s more personal because you can spend more time with the customer. This is the future.”
The new facility took about 11 months to build and involved demolishing some houses that already were on the northwest corner of 38th Street and Scatterfield Road. The approximately 13,500-square-foot building has a homey red, white and blue feel and comfortable, upscale lobby area.
It replaces the credit union’s former headquarters on East Lynn Street and houses its main office, training site and board room. It has a community room that can be rented by members as well as drive-through lanes and a drive-up ATM.
Fetz said the Scatterfield Road location was the board’s first choice because of its visibility and convenience for customers. The banking pods and guided personal service approach also are customer-friendly, he said.
“The members really like it,” he said. “It’s different but it’s also efficient.”
Fetz said he had seen many changes to the credit union since he began there in 1962 and became a member of the board in 1988.
“This is our beginning into the future,” he said. “I’m hoping we’re going to be one of the financial institutions that sets the pace. I want to be the Joneses. I want people to try to keep up with us.”
Contact Aleasha Sandley: 640-4805, aleasha.sandley@heraldbulletin.com.
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