Earlier this year, ORNL Federal Credit Union (ORNL FCU), the second largest federally chartered credit union in the state of Tennessee, announced its merger with Lowland Credit Union (LCU) effective May 1, 2024. ORNL FCU is the continuing credit union and the operations of LCU fully merged into the operations of ORNL FCU in October 2024.
As the continuing credit union, ORNL FCU absorbed three LCU branches, two in Morristown and one in Newport. ORNL FCU has been serving the Morristown community since 2003, and the branch in Newport provides ORNL FCU with a physical presence in Cocke County.
“ORNL FCU has served the Hamblen and Cocke county communities since 2003 when we expanded our charter area, but only Morristown had a credit union branch,” said Chris Boler, ORNL FCU chief member experience officer. “We are thrilled to be adding these three LCU branches to our network, including a new presence in Cocke County, bringing the total number of ORNL FCU branches serving the East Tennessee community to 31.”
The current LCU branch in Newport, which was built in 1973 and acquired by LCU in 2013 from a different financial institution, will be demolished due to its deteriorating condition. ORNL FCU will build a new state-of-the-art branch in its place. To prepare for construction of the new facility, the LCU branch in Newport closed on September 30, 2024, and ORNL FCU opened a temporary unit behind the building on October 2, 2024.
Demolition of the current branch in Newport is scheduled to begin in the first week in December. In January 2025, construction will begin on the new Newport branch, which is expected to be a 10-month process.
“I am very excited that we are investing in a new branch in Newport and enhancing our level of service to credit union members in Cocke County,” said Alisha Clark, the branch manager of the Newport location. Clark is well-known in the Cocke County community and originally started her credit union career at LCU as a part-time drive-thru teller in 2006.
Features that members of ORNL FCU can expect at the new branch in Newport include a 24/7 Call Center and expanded drive-thru hours. Plus, all former LCU members now have access to ORNL FCU’s expanded branch network, an array of products and services at competitive rates, and industry-leading mobile and online banking platforms as members of ORNL FCU.
ORNL FCU President & CEO, Jenny Vipperman commented that “LCU has been a pillar of the communities in which they serve for over 70 years. We look forward to our combined organization continuing to provide valuable products and services and a member-focused experience for many years to come.”
ORNL FCU currently has 31 branches, over $4.0 billion in assets, and approximately 210,000 members. The credit union will continue to serve those who live, work, worship, or attend school in 19 counties of East Tennessee.
Photo Caption
A rendering of the future ORNL Federal Credit Union’s Newport Branch.
