PITTSBURGH, Penn. – After five robberies in five years, A-K Valley FCU has closed its crime-plagued Homewood branch.
The Homewood branch had been robbed by criminals bearing assault rifles on four occasions since mid-2004, when the credit union opened there, and on New Year’s Day it was burgled. So, the credit union's board voted to shutter the branch, which served 1,630 members.
The credit union inherited the Homewood branch when it acquired failed Citizens Community Development FCU three years ago.
The credit union has directed its members who use the Homewood branch to do business at any of seven other credit unions. The nearest one is Allegent Community FCU, in downtown. Through shared-service agreements, other credit unions may take deposits or loan payments or service account withdrawals, but they can't originate loans for A-K Valley Federal Credit Union.
A-K Valley FCU originally served only Alcoa workers and their families. It currently serves 11,000 members through four area branches and has assets of about $54 million.
