Credit union opens its first freestanding location in Wyandotte County

CommunityAmerica Credit Union launched its first freestanding building in Wyandotte County Tuesday with a ribbon-cutting at Wyandotte Plaza, 7714 State Ave., Kansas City, Kan.

The credit union, which has 27 branches in the Greater Kansas City area, with headquarters in Kansas City, Mo., is well known as the sponsor of the CommunityAmerica Ballpark stadium where the T-Bones play baseball in the Village West area in Wyandotte County.

The new branch employs six persons, and the branch manager is Christy Setter.

A spokesman said the layout of the new building is part of the credit union’s strategic focus to advance its high tech – high touch concept, allowing more time for valuable, consultative conversations with members.

The new 2,700 square-foot Community Financial Center has an open floor plan including breakout spaces for conversations and multiple self-serve options with a human touch.

“You won’t see a traditional teller line between the member and teller anymore. We are here to have meaningful conversations about how to make your financial life better,” said Rick Schier, chief sales officer at CommunityAmerica Credit Union. “Our research indicates that while people are willing to do more simple transactions digitally, they still want a physical branch nearby for financial education and support opening new deposit and loan accounts from financial relationship consultants.”

The Community Financial Center is full of digital devices, where members and non-members alike can scroll through information at their leisure. There is an area designed specifically for children where they can use touchscreens to play fun, educational games so their caregivers are free to explore financial solutions. Video Tellers in the drive-through lanes connect members with a live-teller during regular business hours, who is housed in CommunityAmerica Credit Union’s Corporate Office. The interactive teller can handle the majority of daily transactions, including deposits, cash back and general account questions. The member has the option to forego interaction with a live teller and simply use ATM services.

“Our unwavering dedication to member service will remain unchanged. Members will see the same smiling faces at our branches and our staff will stand ready to assist them with new technology every step of the way,” Schier said.

The technology shift isn’t strictly at the branches. CommunityAmerica Credit Union has moved into mobile technology platforms as well. The addition of biometrics, such as EyePrint ID and Apple Touch ID, to online banking have made it more convenient to login. CommunityAmerica is also one of the first in its industry to implement wearables with an Apple Watch app.

CommunityAmerica will open another branch in west Olathe early 2016 featuring the same tech-forward design.

– Information from CommunityAmerica Credit Union