Artist's drawing depicts new Wildfire Credit Union branches.

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Wildfire Credit Union to Add Branch on Wilder in Bay City, State in Saginaw

Non-traditional Teller Stations to be Featured in Both Locations

January 22, 2010
By: Dave Rogers

Wildfire Credit Union, formerly Communications Family Credit Union, is expanding in both Bay and Saginaw counties.

Wildfire Credit Union has also entered into a purchase agreement for a branch in Bay City in front of Meijers on Wilder Road. This branch will also be similar to the branch being built in Saginaw Township.

"With over 3,000 members in the Bay City market, it is exciting to offer a more convenient location for their financial needs. Plans are for an August 2010 opening," said Timothy W. Benecke, president and CEO.

"For the past several years our members have asked for a branch office in Saginaw Township or Thomas Township," he said. "The credit union has been researching this option for some time because we have over 6,000 credit union members who live or work in and around these two townships. Our challenge was, where can we put a branch that is convenient to both townships?

"We have found the location! When the property at the corner of State Street and Midland Road became available earlier this spring, we determined it would be an excellent location to serve our township members since it is located close to both Saginaw and Thomas Townships."

Construction began in September, and the branch will open in June 2010.

Both will be full service offices with deposit, loan, mortgage, business, and investment services available. The branches will be incorporating the lobby elements that offered in Midland and at the Bay Road Office in Saginaw. There will be no traditional teller line; tellers will be located in personal transaction centers that provide you with a more personal and confidential environment to take care of your business."

Other features that the office will provide include a warm, welcoming interior with an internet café. The exterior will feature a building that compliments the location and will provide a drive-up ATM, four drive-thru lanes and a tree-lined landscaped lot.

Wildfire Credit Union currently operates their main office at 6640 Bay Road, a branch in Midland at 100 Joseph Drive and school branches at Heritage High School and White Pine Middle School.

The credit union, with over 32,000 members, has a strong commitment to the community and to the Great Lakes Bay Region. Anyone who lives, works, attends school, or worships in Saginaw, Bay, Midland, Genesee, Shiawassee, Tuscola and Gratiot counties can join Wildfire Credit Union.

Mr. Benecke concluded:

"We are very excited about these two new branches. They will provide many of our members with a more convenient location, as well as, an opportunity to attract more new members."

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