NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. —SRP Federal Credit Union has officially rolled out a new mobile branch designed to expand access to financial services across its 10-county service area.
The credit union marked the launch with a ribbon-cutting ceremony July 24 at its main branch in North Augusta. The event, hosted by the North Augusta Chamber of Commerce, also drew representatives from the Aiken Chamber of Commerce, Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce and Columbia County Chamber of Commerce, the Post & Courier reported.
“Today is more than about unveiling a new vehicle. It’s about expanding access, strengthening relationships and meeting people where they are,” SRP President and CEO Liz Ponder said during the ceremony, according to the Post & Courier.
The mobile branch has already begun traveling to branches and communities throughout SRP’s service area. Since then, it has made stops at more than 20 locations, including Aiken, Allendale, Barnwell, Edgefield, Grovetown, Thomson and several sites in Augusta. The unit also visited the town of Perry.
Staffed by Three People
According to the Post & Courier, the mobile branch is equipped with an ATM and staffed by three representatives who provide financial services and assistance to members.
Chief Development Officer Shana Reid said the mobile branch advances the credit union’s mission by bringing financial services directly into the communities it serves.
“What excites me most is not what just this branch is, but what it makes possible,” Reid said, according to the newspaper. “Greater access, stronger relationships and more opportunities to help our members achieve their financial goals.”
Ponder said the mobile branch is intended to serve communities without convenient access to traditional financial institutions while making it easier for members to use banking services. She added that the initiative will help the credit union broaden its outreach, provide more financial education and strengthen the communities it serves.
Way to Reach Rural Communities
Grace Helms, SRP’s director of consumer growth, told the Post & Courier the mobile branch is an innovative way to reach rural communities and members who face transportation challenges or live far from one of the credit union’s branches.
“Our focus is to bring banking services to people who may have transportation barriers or other issues or just may not have one of our branches in their area, so we can bring services to people where they are,” Helms said, according to the newspaper.
