WARREN, Ohio — 717 Credit Union opened a new branch downtown Monday morning, and looks to bring convenience and ideas to the city.
Located at 157 W. Market St., the full-service branch employs three full time and is the 13th branch for the credit union, said Mark Munno, senior vice president of delivery channels. Throughout its branches in Trumbull, Mahoning, Portage, Summit and Stark counties, 717 employs 325.
When 717 officials began looking at spaces for the Warren branch, Munno said they wanted it to be on Courthouse Square downtown. The branch will benefit from foot traffic from nearby businesses, as well as those who use public transportation to get downtown, he said.
“We wanted to be part of the revitalization of downtown,” Munno said. “We’re excited to open our downtown Warren branch.”
Although the new space won’t be as busy as other locations throughout the credit union, Munno said there was a need and desire to provide financial services to the downtown area, particularly after some banks closed and moved out of the area.
“We wanted to be another financial service institution … for the downtown employees and residents,” Munno said.
With a smaller footprint than most 717 branches – 1,500 square feet – the site will offer account and loan openings, consultative services and a personal teller machine for routine transactions. The personal teller machine offers extended teller hours from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
John Ramsey, owner of Nova Coffee, which is on the square, said he already does his primary banking for the business with 717 Credit Union and is thankful it’s now a quick walk away. Now, employees won’t have to drive to the Larchmont headquarters branch for change or deposits.
“It’s amazing that we’re getting a credit union on the square,” Ramsey said. “It’s a big deal to us.”
The credit union invested some $500,000 into the renovation and technology upgrade of the downtown branch, Munno said. While it keeps the same red, white and blue color scheme as other locations, 717 had to maintain the texture that is original to the building, per the landlord’s request.
Established in 1957, 717 Credit Union has more than 99,000 members, making it the largest credit union in northeastern Ohio. To be eligible to become a member, those interested must work, live, worship or attend schools in Trumbull, Mahoning, Columbiana, Portage, Summit or central Stark counties.
Pictured at top: Mark Munno, senior vice president of delivery services with 717 Credit Union, said the financial institution wants to be part of the Warren revitalization, which is one of the couple key reasons a new, small branch was chosen to open on Courthouse Square.