The GFA Federal Credit Union in Rindge has moved house from its previous location to the newly constructed Rindge Crossings plaza at the intersection of Route 119 and Route 202.
Previously, the bank was located on Sonja Drive, off Route 119, less than two miles from its new location. GFA opened that Rindge branch in 2005 and the bank has become one of their fastest growing locations over the past decade.
While the location officially opened its doors to customers in April, an official ribbon cutting ceremony was held Wednesday at the new location.
The Credit Union announced in April it was having continual issues with its facilities on Sonja Drive, and expedited plans to move to its new, more visible location in the Crossings Plaza, with only a two-day interruption of service to its customers.
“This new location is a testament to our long-term commitment to the Rindge community, and our commitment to the southern New Hampshire as a whole,” said Joshua Brier, GFA President and CEO. “We are excited to have this opportunity, bringing a state-of-the-art branch with greater visibility and access for the Rindge community, while continuing to build on the relationships we’ve established over the last fifteen years.”
“It’s a compliment to Rindge for GFA to make a move, and still stay in town,” said Rindge Chamber of Commerce President Lynda Hunt. “They could have gone elsewhere, and that they didn’t says they feel our community supports them and wants to do business with them.”
Hunt said core businesses, including banks and credit unions, are crucial to have available if Rindge wants shoppers to stay local.
“Obviously, we want to keep our businesses in Rindge for many reasons, including keeping the community in Rindge,” Hunt said. “Through the pandemic, and now with the Delta variant, it’s even more important for the Chamber to step up and promote these businesses. We want these people to succeed. When they left [the Sonja Drive location], we were worried, and we were relieved to learn they would be staying in town.”
In the entrance to the new location, the GFA has a featured mural made up of Rindge landscapes and history, with a collage of images submitted by Rindge residents featuring photos of their favorite spots or buildings in town. The final images were selected from over 200 photos submitted through a Facebook contest held by GFA in April.
The new location includes a drive-up ATM and pneumatic tube system and a state-of-the-art branch lobby, including cash recyclers, which can categorize and sort cash denominations and store them securely.
In addition to its Rindge location, GFA has two other New Hampshire locations in Peterborough and a newly acquired branch in Keene.
Ashley Saari can be reached at 924-7172 ext. 244 or asaari@ledgertranscript.com. She’s on Twitter @AshleySaariMLT.