Empower Credit Union to Open Second Location in 2011!

 

 

After serving customers from just one location for 96 years, the Empower Credit Union is expanding to a second site. Our new office will be located at 10635 W. Greenfield Avenue. This is close to the southeast corner of Highway 100 and Greenfield Avenue, next to Walgreens.  It is also near Highways I-94 and I-894/45.

 

Site plans were submitted to the City of West Allis Planning Commission earlier this summer and the commission has now formally approved our plans to construct the new building.

 

While the new site will serve as our headquarters, the existing credit union location in the We Energies Public Service Building (PSB) will continue to operate, providing members with the same menu of services that we currently offer.

 

The current staff will continue to serve you. Some will remain downtown and others will be relocated to the new site. Also, we anticipate that we will be hiring additional employees so that we can continue to provide high levels of service at both offices. Location assignments for the current and future staff are yet to be finalized.

 

We’re taking this step for a number of reasons. As We Energies has grown and expanded over the decades to multiple locations, our membership has also moved. Many members, such as those who work outside of downtown Milwaukee and our retired members, have expressed a desire for a more convenient and accessible location. 

 

And while the credit union serves a defined membership, current and potential members have many options when it comes to banking and financial services.  Having this new location will help us to remain competitive, be a viable choice for people eligible to join the credit union, and to retain the members we are currently serving.

 

The new location will offer plenty of free parking. The location’s proximity to I-94 and Highway 894/45, as well as the major roads of Greenfield Avenue and Highway 100, will provide easy access for many of our existing members, while also making it easier for potential members who found the downtown location inconvenient.

 

Our new, one-story glass and brick building will feature abundant natural light and energy-saving materials and products. There will be three drive-through lanes, as well as an ATM. Square footage will approximate 10,000 feet and will more than double what we currently have. The size will allow for more private areas for lending and new account opening – addressing a current concern that exists in our present location.

 

Before deciding to build a new facility, the credit union’s Board worked to explore possible options for a new location before offering to purchase this site. We believe it is an excellent location that will serve our members well for many years to come.

 

Groundbreaking for construction is scheduled to take place in early November, which should enable the facility to open in the fall of 2011. LaMacchia Group, a Milwaukee firm specializing in financial institution facilities, has been selected as the Construction Manager for the project. We will also be putting the various components of the project out to bid to local pre-qualified sub-contractors.

 

We will keep you updated via our website as things progress.

 

Thank you again for being a member of Empower Credit Union as we look forward to a great future providing you with even better services.

 

To get more information about this exciting project, read the Question and Answer page by clicking here.

Answers to your questions about our new facility can be found here

 

Why is the credit union building a new main office?

 

As We Energies has grown and expanded over the decades to multiple locations, our membership has also moved. In recent years many members, such as those who work outside of downtown Milwaukee or who are retired, have expressed a desire for a more convenient and accessible location.  Our current facility has made it difficult to extend services to spouses and children of our current members.  The new facility will allow us to do this and not be limited in days and hours of operation, ease of parking, and access to the building as we are at the downtown location.  We are also close to outgrowing our current space downtown.

  

What process was used in coming to this decision?

 

Over the past two years, the Credit Union’s Board of Directors and management have looked at such factors as:  Where our members and potential members live and work, what facilities are needed to provide the best possible service, the relative merits of various locations, the costs and benefits of a second location, and whether to buy, lease or build.  The decision to move forward with this project is a result of that work.

 

Where will the new office be located?

 

Our new site will be located at 10635 W. Greenfield Avenue. This is close to the southeast corner of Highway 100 and Greenfield Avenue, next to Walgreens.  It is also near Highways 894/45 and I-94, providing access to members who regularly travel those routes.  Here is an artist's rendition of the new office.

 

 

When will the new location open?

 

A detailed schedule is being developed.  Groundbreaking for construction is expected to take place in November, and we anticipate the facility will open in the fall of 2011.

 

Why that location and not somewhere else?

 

Before deciding to purchase this site and build a new facility, the credit union’s Board explored possible options for a new location beginning with a location study back in 2008. Since our membership is spread out we researched sites and buildings in several areas focusing on a central location and access to major roads and highways.  We believe this is an excellent site that will serve our members for many years to come.

 

What will happen to the current credit union office?  Will it remain open?

 

The existing credit union location in the We Energies Public Service Building (PSB) will continue to operate, providing members with the same menu of services and products that we currently offer.

 

What services will be available at the PSB location?

 

We will continue to offer all of our services at the PSB location.

 

Will the hours change at the PSB office?

 

The hours will remain the same unless we see a change in member activity.

 

What will the hours be at the new office?  Will you have Saturday hours?

 

The exact schedule for the new office has not been determined, but we anticipate being open later on weekdays and having Saturday morning hours as well.

 

Will you have a drive-up?

 

Yes, the plans provide for three drive-up lanes.

 

Will you have an ATM?

 

Yes, we will have an ATM available 24 hours per day.

 

Is the credit union considering other locations for more offices?

 

We have no plans to do so at this time.  However, the credit union is open to future opportunities for additional branch locations that would offer even more convenience to our members.

 

The credit union serves only We Energies employees; why do you need a new and more “public” facility?

 

While the credit union serves a defined membership, current and potential members have many options when it comes to banking and financial services.  Having this new location will help us remain competitive, be a viable choice for people eligible to join the credit union, and retain the members we are currently serving.

 

The downtown location is convenient to those employees and members who work downtown or live close by.  Over time more members and potential members have stated that downtown is not convenient for them or their family members.

 

Also, our membership includes employees of subsidiary companies, family members, and retirees, so many of the people using the credit union are not current WE Energies employees.  The additional office location will provide the additional access and convenience all members deserve. 

 

Will the credit union be severing its connection with We Energies?

 

Not at all - the valued relationship that we have had with the company through 96 years will continue and we believe this second location will increase the value of the credit union as a benefit to the company’s employees and retirees. 

 

Is the credit union planning to merge?

 

That is not the intent of this decision.  A goal of having this additional location is to keep the credit union growing and to remain strong for years to come by providing our current members and potential members with more service choices and convenience.

 

Will other people be allowed to join the credit union?

           

We are not looking to become a community-chartered credit union – or become “open to the public”.  We currently serve employees of Wisconsin Energy Corporation and their subsidiaries, retirees of those companies and family members.  We hope the new location will encourage more of these eligible members to join and use the credit union.  We have been considering whether to invite other groups, such as the unions, to also become members, but nothing has been determined at this time.

 

Can the credit union afford to buy land and construct a new building? Where does the money come from?

 

The credit union can not borrow for land or a building and is paying for this project in cash.  The credit union is a well-capitalized and strong institution that can build without harming its financial position.

 

If the credit union can afford to do this, why can’t they pay higher dividends?

 

Dividends on savings and deposit accounts must be paid from current earnings, not from reserves. Rates on accounts are set by the Board of Directors and Management to meet budget goals and to reflect current interest rate conditions.  Our rates are competitive and are consistently in the top 25% of rates in our market area.  The cost of constructing a new facility will not affect current or future interest rates.

 

What will happen with the employees?  Will they all move? Who will remain at the PSB office?

 

The current staff will continue to serve you. Some will remain downtown and others will be relocated to the new location. We also anticipate hiring additional employees so that we can continue to provide high levels of service at both locations. Office assignments for the current and future staff are yet to be finalized. 

 

To view the announcement for this project, click here.

New Shared Service Center Branches opening on south side

     With shared branching, credit unions from all over the country share facilities to give members thousands of convenient locations across the USA to perform transactions just as if they were in their home credit union. Whether you are at work, home, or your favorite travel destination, Empower credit union is always nearby.  Many locations are open evenings and Saturdays.

The newest location is at:

El Rey Plaza, 3508 W. Burnham St. Milwaukee.  Phone # 414-431-3925.  They are open  Monday-Friday, 10 A.M. to 6 P.M., and Saturday 10 A.M. to 2 P.M.

Also, watch for the next Shared Service Center branch opening soon at Outpost Foods, 2826 S. Kinnickinnic Ave, in the Bay View neighborhood.

There are other Shared Service Centers at:

• 6126 W. Layton Ave.
• 6402 W. Brown Deer Rd. 

And additional locations at credit union branches in:

• West Allis, Elm Grove, Wauwatosa, Menomonee Falls, Waukesha, Racine and Kenosha. 

Will you be traveling in the U.S. or perhaps moving out of the area?  You can take the credit union with you, for there are over 4,000 Shared Service Center locations ready to serve you. 

To find a Service Center near where you are or where you will be, click here.

Anywhere you see the swirl you can conduct a range of transactions, such as:

• Deposits
• Withdrawals
• Loan Payments
• Make transfers between accounts
• Purchase money orders, travelers checks and official checks*
• And more!

To take advantage of this service, when you enter a shared branch you only need to bring:

• Your home credit union's name
• Your account number
• Valid government-issued photo identification, i.e., State Driver’s license, US Passport

$250,000 NCUA Deposit Insurance made permanent!

July 22, 2010, Alexandria, Va. – President Barack Obama signed into law the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. Included in this sweeping legislation are provisions making permanent the current $250,000 maximum federal deposit insurance level, which had been temporary until December 31, 2013.

Federally insured credit union member accounts are insured to at least $250,000 by the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund, a federal insurance fund backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.

A temporary increase from $100,000 to $250,000 was effective from October 3, 2008, through December 31, 2009. On May 20, 2009, the temporary increase was extended through December 31, 2013, and now the $250,000 federal insurance protection becomes permanent.

Over 340 Empower members will get their August checking statements faster with eStatements. How about You?

  Members with checking accounts and on-line banking can access their Empower credit union account statements on-line. e-Statements are a quick and easy way to receive, view and save your monthly statements. 

The Benefits of e-Statements

When you enroll in our e-statement service you will have access to a rolling 18 month history of your statements.  They are just like the paper statements you receive monthly, but in an electronic format.  You can view them, print them out, and save them to your own PC.  They are easy to access from your on-line banking page; no additional log-in or password is required.

e-Statements help conserve energy and natural resources and are more secure than paper.  You will receive them sooner, they won’t clutter up your desk or file drawer and you can’t lose them.  With on-line banking, electronic bill pay, direct deposit, debit and ATM access to your funds, and now e-statements, you have the ability to manage your money and monitor your Credit Union accounts quicker and easier than ever before. 

How to Get Started

It is easy to enroll.  First, you must be registered for our on-line banking product and have an Empower checking account.  Log onto your on-line banking, and click on the link to eStatements in the blue banner.  You must read and agree to the terms of service and then choose which accounts you want included.  If you have “Combined Checking”, all the accounts that are included on your monthly paper statement will be part of your e-Statement.

Be sure that we have your current email address as you will receive an email notice when your monthly statement is available.  You can check and update your email address in the “options” tab in on-line banking. 

To view a statement, open up the e-Statement link, and click on the pull-down tab to select a monthly statement from the menu.  It will appear as a PDF file which can be easily saved to your computer.  Statements are available beginning with January, 2010 and eventually there will be a full 18 months of statements always available on-line.