CONTRIBUTED GRAPHIC Community Choice Credit Union has shared renderings of the inside of the new branch in Marshalltown. The credit union will be on Lafrentz Lane in the same building as Dunkin’ Donuts.

The business community just keeps on growing in Marshalltown.

The month of May marks the anticipated time Community Choice Credit Union will open its first Marshalltown location, and the financial institution will bring a new philosophy — “UNbanking.”

Angie Richards, vice president of marketing, said UNbanking is a personality, an energy, a whatever-it-takes mentality to exceed our members’ expectations.

“Being a financial institution and a credit union is what we are, not who we are,” she said.

An exact opening date has not yet been set as the construction process is ongoing. The credit union, which is headquartered in Johnston, is in the process of a complete internal demolition to make the space more inviting, bright, fun and functional.

“For nearly a year, Marshalltown has been our focus for a new location,” Richards said. “We have spent a great deal of time becoming more familiar with the community to better understand how we can offer our services and support.”

A suite in the strip mall on Lafrentz Lane — where Dunkin’ Donuts is located — was chosen because of its visibility and location and the space will reflect “UNbanking.”

“We are excited to bring a fresh, new look to the current space that reflects the character and brand of Community Choice and the UNbanking mentality,” she said.

The branch is an opportunity to expand the credit union’s footprint into a market to provide products and services to current and new members.

“Marshalltown is a natural fit in our membership base which currently includes eight locations in the Des Moines metro area,” Richards said. “We have existing members in Marshalltown and will now be able to serve them better with a physical location. Community Choice saves people from their boring banks – we are confident we can achieve that in Marshalltown.”

The financial institution will offer personal and business banking, mortgage services, wealth management, commercial lending and more. Employees will also engage in “UNbankForGood,” which Richards said is about “boots on the ground in the community.”

“It means supporting local charities with foundation funds or physical donations,” she said. “It means partnering with organizations that do good. It means showing up in the community. And it means doing it all with a smile on our face while having a little fun. Community isn’t just in our name, it’s who we are. Our commitment to community drives everything we do.”

A couple grand opening events — including activities, giveaways, prizes and food — are being planned. One event is an invite-only for Marshalltown members, and the other is for the community. Partnering with and supporting other Marshalltown businesses will also be incorporated into the grand openings.

“At Community Choice, we like to do things differently,” she said. “Our grand opening will be no exception.”

When customers drive up to the new location, they will get greeted by music playing in the parking lot. The interior might have some bright features. There could be a wall covered in suckers and swag or a free soda machine next to a giant gumball dispenser.

Community Choice has hired Marshalltown native Laura Garcia to be the new branch manager along with three full-time “UNbankers.”

“That’s what we call our employees,” she said.

To ensure a successful launch, more than 160 other Community Choice employees will stand by to provide the necessary support and help serve customers.

“The Community Choice difference and the UNbanking mentality is something that needs to be experienced,” Richards said. “We invite everyone to come experience the difference themselves by stopping in and seeing our new space and meeting our UNbankers.”

Business Info:

Address: 10 La Frentz Lane, Ste. 300

Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday

Website: comchoicecu.org

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Contact Lana Bradstream at 641-753-6611 ext. 210 or lbradstream@timesrepublican.com.