A stately brick building is taking shape on Airport Road near Lenoir Memorial Hospital. It will soon be the home of a new State Employees Credit Union branch.
The completion date is Aug. 29, and construction is currently on schedule, Michele Sasser, vice president/city officer, said.
Sasser and her staff will be moving from the branch at 2501 N. Herritage St. to the new location following completion of the building.
“We are in a rental site now,” she said.
Employees currently work in approximately 5,500 square feet of space, but the new building will have about another 1,000 square feet.
The not-for-profit, member-owned cooperative has been systematically leaving its rental spaces behind as it purchases land and builds according to its own architectural plans, Sasser said.
SECU purchased the land last year and broke ground in December — a project costing more than $1 million, she said.
There will be a drive-up ATM lane, three drive-through window lanes and more parking.
“Inside,” Sasser said, “(the layout) will be more central than it is now.”
Customers entering the building will walk into the reception area. Teller windows will be located to the left and a lobby with seating will be towards the back. The building will have more offices than the Herritage Street branch has.
“We’ll have more offices,” Sasser said, “so as we grow, we will hire more staff and have room.”
The new branch will provide the same services its customers expect.
“All we’re doing is moving our location,” she said.
The branch will be a full-service financial institution offering deposit accounts, loans, mortgages, safety deposit boxes, investments, trust services, estate planning and tax preparation, she said.
“I like the location better,” Sasser said. “I think it’s going to be easier for our customers getting in and out.”
SECU has branches in all 100 counties in North Carolina. Hours at the Herritage Street office are 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The hours and phone number will remain the same at the new location. For information, call 252-522-2121.
Margaret Fisher can be reached at 252-559-1082 or Margaret.Fisher@Kinston.com. Follow her on Twitter @MargaretFishr.
Breakout box:
Do you have a new retail business or one that’s undergone a significant change? The Free Press would like to hear about it. Contact Margaret Fisher at 252-559-1082 or Margaret.Fisher@Kinston.com.