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November 6, 2019

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By Virginia Annable
vannable@newstopicnews.com

Nov 07, 2019 12:00 AM

An Asheville-based credit union is opening a branch in Lenoir in December.

Telco Community Credit Union, which started in 1935 as a credit union for Southern Bell Telephone System employees and since expanded, is opening its 10th branch in Lenoir on Wilkesboro Boulevard, with a soft opening in early December, Marketing Specialist Carol Griffith said.

The bank has locations in Hickory and Morganton already, so expanding to Lenoir will help serve existing customers and grow the overall customer base, she said.

“By expanding our footprint we’re serving and opening our membership in as many counties as possible so we can serve the community,” Griffith said.

The bank bought the former Bank of America building at 141 Wilkesboro Blvd. on Oct. 31 for $700,000.

It only needs a minor interior facelift and Telco branding to make it ready for business, Griffith said.

Anyone who works, lives or goes to school in one of the 13 counties Telco serves can be a member, Griffith said.

“We’re community-based membership which sets us apart from others,” Griffith said.

For more information on Telco Community Credit Union, visit www.telcoccu.org.

Reporter Virginia Annable can be reached at 828-610-8724.