Extended drive-thru hours at North Georgia branches increases accessibility
Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union understands that members are not always able to visit a branch during normal business hours. That’s why credit union leaders made a commitment to further increase member convenience by using the latest technology.
Last year, TVFCU became the first credit union in the Tennessee Valley to implement interactive teller technology, by offering it at its Ringgold Branch. The technology allows credit union members to connect LIVE with a personal teller from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday, in the Ringgold Branch drive-thru via a realtime video and audio interaction.
The groundbreaking interactive teller technology was approved by the National Credit Union Administration in 2012 and enables personal tellers who are working from TVFCU’s administrative office in downtown Chattanooga to complete basic transactions for members at the Ringgold Branch.
“Since launching interactive teller technology at our Ringgold Branch, we have had great feedback from members, especially members who are on the go,” said John Merritt, vice president of marketing at TVFCU. “They are excited about having the ability to quickly make basic transactions before and after normal branch hours while still having a LIVE interaction with a TVFCU staff member.”
The tvfcuLIVE technology has been so well received that the credit union also installed the technology in two Fort Oglethorpe Branch drive-thru lanes last year, extending hours from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday. The branch is located at 200 Alamar Street.
Inside both branches, TVFCU employees help members with their financial needs. Concierge representatives direct members to financial services consultants who are available to open new accounts and to assist members with loans and mortgages.
“With tvfcuLIVE, we are able to costeffectively extend our hours from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the Fort Oglethorpe and Ringgold Branch drive-thrus,” said Lisa Elrod, vice president of branch operations at TVFCU. “This new technology allows us to spend more time with our members in the branch environment as they make life decisions about purchasing homes, vehicles and other items. And the added convenience tvfcuLIVE is just part of us helping our members live the life they love.”
After the introduction of tvfcuLIVE in the North Georgia market, TVFCU has continued to launch tvfcuLIVE at other locations throughout the Tennessee Valley.
“The North Georgia community really embraced tvfcuLIVE and helped validate that extended hours are needed in today’s fastpaced environment,” said Merritt. “We know that little things in life like being able to quickly make a deposit before going to work really matter. Our goal is to continue to look for ways to further increase member convenience by using the latest technology.”
In addition to tvfcuLIVE, TVFCU has a convenient mobile app that gives members the ability to check their balance, make transfers, pay bills and even deposit checks. TVFCU later introduced mobile deposit to its Online24 Mobile App, which is completely free for members.
It has been nearly eight decades since 57 TVA employees pooled their resources to start the not-for-profit credit union. Their mission to promote thrift through a cooperative effort and enable members to borrow money for providential and beneficial uses is still the same. Today, TVFCU aims to further this mission by increasing member convenience.