New Credit Union Opens in Cortland (Sponsored Content) – Cortland Voice
Margarita M. Phillips
3 min read
Visions FCU Cortland. (Photo source: Cortland Voice photo files).
Visions Federal Credit Union opened a new branch on Monday at 141 Clinton Ave. in the town of Cortland. The Visions FCU Cortland branch is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon.
Tim Strong, public relations and community engagement manager for Visions FCU, said a Visions FCU branch opening in Cortland “bridges the gap” between Syracuse and Binghamton, where branches are also located.
Tim Strong (Visions FCU Public Relations and Community Engagement Manager). (Photo source: Cortland Voice photo files)
“It’s been a long time coming,” Strong said. Founded in 1966 as IBM Employees Federal Credit Union in Endicott, Visions FCU has more than 50 branches in New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. They are headquartered in Endicott of Broome County.
“We continue to grow,” Strong said.
Tyrone Muse, president and CEO of Visions FCU for nine years, noted that a branch now located in Cortland “brings him joy.”
“I’m really excited. Words don’t quite capture it,” Muse said. “As a kid coming to Cortland and having friends going (SUNY Cortland), to finally be in this town, connecting points, seeing that our strategy is working, knowing how successful we are going to be and how much we are going to help this community, that’s exciting.
Tyrone Muse (P.resident and CEO of Visions FCU). (Photo source: Cortland Voice photo files)
Muse said the importance for Visions FCU to open a branch in Cortland was based on data from its members.
“Our data can see how many members are here,” he said. “They go to Syracuse and Ithaca, or Binghamton. We just knew we had to get something here so we could make this part of their lives. Time is everything.
Strong mentioned that Visions FCU is “like a bank” and provides similar services to a bank, but is “a non-profit organization”.
“We are here to serve the community and to serve our members,” Strong added. He noted that Visions FCU provides account verification and savings services; car loans, mortgages and credit cards; and more.
Although Visions FCU offers a variety of services within its branches, it also provides support to the community. Strong noted that Visions FCU invests over $1 million “in the communities we serve.”
“We’re thrilled to be able to be here at Cortland and support the great community events they host and do good things,” Strong said. “It’s a community that we think is amazing. They’ve been incredibly welcoming before. We’re thrilled to support the community.
The Cortland branch of Visions FCU will be overseen by branch manager Mark Hahn. Hahn, who has worked at Visions FCU for nearly three years, looks forward to leading the Cortland branch.
Mark Hahn (B.ranch manager). (Photo source: Cortland Voice photo files)
Hahn, a SUNY Cortland graduate, also lives in Cortland.
“I am here for the community. I want to help as much as I can,” he said.
Muse knew he wanted to “do more” for the town of Cortland. This is what led Visions FCU to open a branch in Cortland.
“You have to be here to understand what the city really needs,” he said. “That’s how I measure everything: how many people are helping. I am so excited to be another resource, or alternative, financially for this region.
Muse invites the community to visit the new Visions FCU branch on Clinton Avenue. “Look at us and see how we can help you,” he added.
“Have someone review your financial well-being and do a checklist with you. We don’t want this to be transactional, so don’t feel you have to come join us,” Muse said. We can give you that other resource to make sure you’re in the best position to save the most money, pay the lowest amount, and hopefully help improve your credit score.”
From left to right: Timothy A. Bennett (owner and publisher of The Cortland Voice), Tyrone Muse (President and CEO of Visions FCU) & Mark Hahn (Branch manager). (Photo source: Cortland Voice photo files)
