717’s New Canfield Branch Filled with Latest Tech

CANFIELD, Ohio – When members of 717 Credit Union first enter the new branch here at 4280 Boardman-Canfield Road, they will feel as if they are walking into a credit union of the future, filled with multimedia screens and new technology unlike anything that’s been seen inside other branches.

“We want to leverage technology because technology is the future,” said Brian Boettcher, vice president of innovation and information technology at 717. “We want to provide that additional member experience.”

On Thursday, 717 held a ribbon cutting ceremony for its 13th branch that will open May 6. The credit union broke ground on the project in June 2018 and the total cost of it was $2.4 million.

Gary Soukenik, president and CEO of 717, greeted employees, government officials and community members who attended the ceremony.

“While we’ve served members in Mahoning County for decades, 717 Credit Union is proud to make our new home in Canfield,” Soukenik said. “We pride ourselves in being a partner with the communities we serve and appreciate this new opportunity to provide local residents a strong financial option for them and their families.”

The 4,200-square-foot branch will offer the full range of the credit union’s services, including lending and wealth management. It is equipped with new technologies to provide enhanced services and convenience to its members.

Inside the first set of doors in the vestibule of the branch is the personal teller plus technology for members who want to make a quick transaction without having to go inside the main office.

“It has a video component where you go on there and push the button and it will connect you to a video teller,” Boettcher said.

The video teller behind the screen will be operating out of 717’s headquarters in Warren.

“As a result, the teller can draw on the expertise from everyone around them in that building,” Boettcher said. “It’s a better member experience.”

The video teller is the same technology used for the branch’s three drive-thru lanes with personal teller machines, which allow members to talk directly to a teller via two-way video.

The vestibule outside the front doors will be open 24/7 for members to use the video-teller technology between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m., or it can be used as an ATM during after hours. There will also be an ATM in the drive-thru lane.

“They can come in after-hours to use it for ATM-plus, or interactive banking, because you can do more things with it than a regular ATM,” Boettcher said. “It’s not just a cash dispenser.”

Inside the main office of the branch are pods where tellers can help members one-on-one who don’t want to use the personal teller plus machine.

The pods will have cash recyclers to handle the cash that comes in and out of the credit union.

“It takes the cash in, it counts the cash and it’s far more accurate because you don’t have to do any hand-entry for any transaction,” Boettcher said. “It’s going to be a tremendous efficiency for the tellers.”

A learning hub sits near the front doors of the branch and has interactive tablets for members to use for financial education.

“It’s for members either as they’re waiting, or in conjunction with an employee, who may take them to the hub to help them learn more about certain products,” said Eric Lanham, senior vice president of marketing for 717. “We even have some games on there for the kiddos if they’re waiting for mom or dad.”

Cellphone charging stations will also sit inside the branch for members to use.

The branch itself was built to be environmentally conscious with a natural skylight in the main space to cut down the use of electricity and LED lights are used throughout the branch. “We are very energy efficient and environmentally conscious on how we are doing things,” Boettcher said.

717 partnered with architects from Baker, Bednar, Snyder and Associates and contractor Jack Gibson Construction of Warren for the project.

Gary Soukenik, CEO and president, welcomes community leaders.

At the ribbon cutting, Soukenik presented $1,000 donations to The Walnut Grove and Canfield Community Care Net.

“We are always proud to be able to lend our support and what better way to make a difference in our new community than by donating to two organizations that make important impacts,” he said.

Shellie Duchek, immediate past president of the board of directors for The Walnut Grove, accepted the check for the organization. “It’s a huge blessing,” she said. “We are in the process of building the second phase of our playground and this donation will make a huge difference in our efforts to do that.”

The Walnut Grove provides all-inclusive indoor and outdoor recreational spaces, designed for those with special needs.

Canfield Community Care Net board members Leanne Butta and Sue Jenca  accepted the donation for their organization, which provides assistance to the residents of Canfield Local School District who have or are experiencing financial difficulties from a debilitating illness, medical condition or other inancial shortfalls.

“It’s a very small organization and there’s always families in need,” Butta said.

717’s Lanham added, “We talked to several of our employees and other folks who live in the Canfield community and asked for suggestions of all the many groups doing good things. We kept hearing the two names of The Walnut Grove and CCCN,” he said. “It’s a nice way to introduce ourselves to the community.”

Pictured at top: Corky Manofsky, board director for 717, Gary Soukenik, president and CEO; and Martin Gorbey, Canfield branch manager.

Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.