ATHOL — Workers Credit Union increased its presence in Athol with the grand opening of its newest branch at the North Quabbin Commons.
President and CEO Doug Petersen milled around to greet the crowd of smiling businesspeople, customers and members of the North Quabbin Chamber of Commerce in the bright and colorful space. Miniature tours were given of the lounge area, teller stations, the tech bar and phone-charging station, as well as the three offices encased entirely in glass, used to conduct private customer transactions.
The tech bar allows credit union members to use a mobile tablet in the branch to utilize online banking through the credit union’s app or mobile website.
While the community credit union has had a history in the region with its Orange branch, the new 2,000-square-foot space at 107 Tower Road marks its first office in Athol.
“This location complements our Orange branch perfectly. Now, all our Athol members will have two convenient locations,” Petersen said.
He said bank personnel are always on hand to guide new users of the tech bar and other services through the processes.
Prior to the official ribbon-cutting, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President Sandra Sagehorn Elliot welcomed the crowd and singled out the North Quabbin and North Central Massachusetts chambers of commerce.
She said, “It has been a long journey getting this branch open. We have so many members in this area and wanted to reach out and serve them in a better way more quickly and more easily, and this was the perfect location. Already our members are responding so well, to the staff and the accessibility. It’s been a wonderful location. The town of Athol has been great in welcoming us, making it an easy transition for us. We’re so excited about all that’s to come in Athol.”
According to the credit union, it has about 4,500 members who live within 5 miles of the new plaza.
“It is a great location, with all your shopping and banking available with one stop,” added Petersen.
The full-service branch, which launched with a “soft opening” in December, has an inside and drive-up ATM and is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays.
“For members who haven’t used online banking in the past, it is a great way to become familiar with how to view balances, transfer funds and pay bills,” said Branch Manager Jennifer Prouty.
Petersen said the community’s reception has been tremendous.
“We are seeing new members join the credit union every day, which is just terrific,” he said.
Workers Credit Union, home of the GiveBack program, is headquartered in Fitchburg. With assets of $1.6 billion, the credit union serves more than 96,000 members from offices in Acton, Athol, Chelmsford, Fitchburg, Gardner, Groton, Lancaster, Leominster, Lunenburg, Orange, Townsend, Westford, and Workers Online at wcu.com.
Prouty Named Manager
Prouty, a Winchendon resident, joined the credit union 12 years ago as a part-time teller. She served most recently as the assistant manager for its Fitchburg office. Active in the community, she is a board member of the Greater Athol Area Advocates for Families with Special Needs.