PENSACOLA, Fla.-To give CUs in Alabama, Florida and surrounding states greater access to a mobile branch when they need one, Pen Air FCU has donated one of its mobile facilities to the League of Southeastern CUs.
Patty Veal, VP of marketing at the $1.2 billion Pen Air, said the credit union understands how critical it is to have easy access to a mobile branch when disaster strikes.
"We clearly saw that need when the tornadoes hit Alabama in 2011, and we had requests for our mobile branch. Instead of having to search for a credit union that has a mobile branch and one that is not being used, credit unions can now reach out to the league."
Pen Air made the move not only to help others, but itself, as well. "As we loaned out the mobile unit, we became more aware of our own needs," said Veal. "You loan out the mobile office and then something happens to your credit union. ... So we purchased a second branch and donated the original one. We need one full-time."
For More Than Just Disasters
Veal said Pen Air uses the office on wheels for more than just post-disaster relief. "We'll pull it up to SEG events, especially when the employer does not have room for us inside their facility. We use it for community events, and it has an ATM attached, which is nice. It's even appeared in parades."
The mobile office was donated to the league's charitable arm, the Southeastern Credit Union Foundation. "This branch is going to the greater good and is a very nice gesture from Pen Air that will help many CUs and their members," said Mike Bridges, VP of communications for LSCU.
The league re-wrapped the vehicle to promote a general credit union message and drive consumers to www.asmarterchoice.org to find a credit union near them. "People driving down the road will see this, and if they have been thinking about joining a credit union they will know where to go," said Bridges.
Veal thinks the donation was made at the right time, saying, "We are entering hurricane season."
