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Service Credit Union formally opened its freestanding Haverhill branch Wednesday morning at Westgate Plaza with a ribbon cutting ceremony and pledge to support the community.
Service Credit Union Vice President Retail Banking Meghan Leach told a gathering of elected officials, business community and others the Portsmouth, N.H.-based institution was founded to “serve those who serve others,” including military members, veterans and first responders.
“This is such an exciting and meaningful day for our team. It’s our first major branch opening in northern Massachusetts. It marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Service Credit Union as we expand into Massachusetts and the greater Boston region,” she said.
The new branch, its second in Massachusetts, opened with President and CEO David Araujo cutting the ribbon as Richard MacKinnon Jr., president of the Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts, stood and cheered beside him. Haverhill Firefighter Tim Carroll, who also serves as the association’s District 4 vice president, said Service Credit Union may be new to Haverhill, but is well known among first responders.
“We have 150 members getting cancer screenings in January through our foundation in the Service Credit Union. We caught two last year through their efforts and affiliation,” he explained.
Carroll added the credit union has also supported firefighter staffing efforts conducted by Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts.
Haverhill Mayor Melinda E. Barrett thanked the credit union for investing in Haverhill and presented officials with a citation commemorating the grand opening.
“I think you’ll find a lot of enthusiasm for being here from the citizens of Haverhill, from all the shoppers that come to this Westgate shopping plaza,” she said.
Other speakers were City Council President Thomas J. Sullivan, who also presented a citation; Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Katie Cook, Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Michael Bevilacqua; and others.
Nomsa Ncube, food pantry director and community liaison from Haverhill’s Somebody Cares New England, accepted a $2,500 donation from Service Credit Union Branch Manager Jessica Belanger. In addition, credit union spokesman Chris Banker told WHAV, Somebody Cares will additionally receive $500 under the institution’s Adopt a Food Pantry program and, with the support of the Greater Haverhill Chamber, support the charity’s December collection drive.
Besides, military members and veterans and their families, Greater Haverhill residents are generally eligible for credit union membership through free memberships in the American Consumer Council or Financial Fitness Association.
Somebody Cares New England Food Pantry Director and Community Liaison Nomsa Ncube, second from left, accepts a donation from Service Credit Union Branch Manager Jessica Belanger as Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Katie Cook, Service Credit Union Assistant Vice President of Community Development Jaime Yates and Assistant Branch Manager Matt Salvanelli look on. (WHAV News photograph.)
Service Credit Union Vice President Retail Banking Meghan Leach welcomes a gathering of city officials, business community members and others outside the new branch at 424 Lowell Ave., Haverhill. (WHAV News photograph.)