Nusenda preps 18th branch
Nusenda Credit Union will expand to 18 locations in New Mexico with the opening of a new 2,000-square-foot branch at 120 98th NW.
The opening of the new branch is slated for late April or early May in the Shops at 98th retail center north of Central, according to Anneliese Elrod, the credit union’s senior vice president of strategic marketing and development.
“We are excited to be at this retail development,” Elrod said. She said ATM activity at the site prompted Nusenda to locate a bricks-and-mortar facility to serve current members and sign up new ones. “The (ATM) had some of our the highest transaction counts,” she said. “It’s also an up-and-coming neighborhood” that might be ripe for additional credit union membership, she added.
A staff of eight will operate the branch, which is not a standalone building but rather a suite in the retail center. As such, it will not feature a drivethrough window.
That suits Nusenda just fine. “It’ll be more of a customer-facing branch” for folks looking to open new accounts, apply for loans or find information, said Elrod.
Earlier this year, Nusenda opened its 17th branch at 2001 Unser SE in Rio Rancho, a growing commercial corridor.
Also, Sandia Area Federal Credit Union is opening its new Northeast Heights office Saturday at 11301 Montgomery NE near Eldorado High School.
“There’s enough room for all of us to grow and flourish,” said Elrod.
“New Mexico has always been a state very supportive of (the credit union) memberowned philosophy,” Elrod said of the 800,000 New Mexicans who have credit union accounts. Nusenda has 157,000 members and $1.7 billion in assets.
A 19th Nusenda branch is planned for the Innovate ABQ facility next year.