(Contact: Epoch 5 Public Relations )
– 26TH Branch Location on Long Island –
Bethpage, NY – Bethpage Federal Credit Union, New York State’s largest credit union and Long Island’s leading community financial institution, today celebrated the grand opening of its newest branch on Long Island located at 555 Montauk Highway in West Babylon. Suffolk County Legislator Wayne R. Horsley, Babylon Town Councilman Tony Martinez and other invited guests joined Bethpage President and CEO Kirk Kordeleski at the opening of the credit union’s 26th Long Island branch location, its 12th in Suffolk County.
“Bethpage is very proud to be a part of the diverse West Babylon community,” said Kirk Kordeleski, President and CEO, Bethpage Federal Credit Union. “We look forward to forging strong relationships with local town residents, officials and area businesses, including West Babylon’s many small businesses, to help strengthen and support the growing community in every way we can.”
A bilingual branch, the new Bethpage West Babylon branch employs six full-time employees, three of whom are bilingual, in a 3,577 square foot location at 523 Montauk Highway in West Babylon. Maria Zahn is the new West Babylon Branch Manager. West Babylon is Bethpage’s 14th bilingual branch.
Bethpage opened four new branch locations on Long Island in 2011, with its last branch opened in December 2011 in Patchogue. Four additional Bethpage branches are slated for 2012. In the ten years since Bethpage received its community charter to serve all Long Islanders, it has grown to become the largest in terms of assets, membership, and service locations. Bethpage had remarkable growth across all categories in 2011, while continuing to give members the best rates, lowest fees and extraordinary service.
Nationally, credit union numbers were also on the rise last year according to the Credit Union National Association (CUNA), which reported that 1.9 million people joined credit unions in 2011, with a fourth quarter increase of one million new members, and 300,000 new members for December 2011 alone, fueled in part they say to the recent Bank Transfer Day national movement. Similarly, last year Bethpage members increased by 25,000, with 9,500 new members in the fourth quarter and 3,000 new members in December.
Bethpage Federal Credit Union will also provide the government’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program for low to moderate-income households unable to prepare their own tax returns at the new West Babylon branch. Qualifying individuals with 2011 incomes of $49,000 and below are eligible and can receive free assistance through April 11, 2012. A total of 12 Bethpage branch locations throughout Nassau and Suffolk Counties offer VITA assistance. One does not need to be a Bethpage member to qualify. Bilingual Tax Assistors will be available. For more information on VITA and paperwork needed, please visit Bethpage’s “Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program” website page located under the Heart of Bethpage section at www.lovebethpage.com or call 1-800-628-7070.
Bethpage is one of Long Island’s most convenient financial institutions. Its growing network of 26 local branches, shared service centers, 350 surcharge-free ATMs, and free online and mobile banking services provides members with easy access to their accounts wherever and whenever they need it.
Bethpage Federal Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial cooperative, existing solely to serve its members and has experienced rapid growth in recent years to become a strong alternative to banks. Bethpage was approved for the largest federal community charter in the U.S. in 2003 and now is Long Island’s largest credit union and leading community financial institution with over 196,000 members, 26 branches and 60 shared service center locations throughout Nassau and Suffolk Counties. As a financial cooperative, Bethpage offers better rates, lower fees and a full menu of personal and commercial financial services.
Bethpage maintains branch locations in Bay Shore, Bay Shore King Kullen, Bethpage, Central Islip, Commack King Kullen, Elmont, Farmingdale, Freeport, Glen Cove, Hempstead, Huntington, Levittown King Kullen, Lynbrook, Massapequa, Melville, Mineola, North Babylon, Patchogue, Port Jefferson, Riverhead, Seaford, Smithtown, Roosevelt, West Babylon and Westbury with over 350 surcharge-free ATMs in King Kullen, 7-Eleven, Walgreens and Costco locations throughout Long Island. For more information, call 1-800-628-7070 or visit www.lovebethpage.com.