GRIMES, Iowa–Finishing touches have been completed at Dupaco Community Credit Union’s newest branch, a Learning Lab, located at 1701 E. First St. at the intersection of Highway 141 and East First Street in Grimes. Dupaco celebrated the completion of the newly finished branch with a Grimes Chamber of Commerce-led ribbon cutting on Wednesday, April 6.
Dupaco’s Learning Lab branch features a fresh open concept and technology that underpins the credit union’s mission to improve each member’s financial position. Touchscreen technology in the lobby provides members an opportunity to learn more about topics like credit score and home buying options in a game-like atmosphere, while in-branch staff are available to coach members, providing one-on-one personalized financial service and advice. There are nine employees who are currently occupying the space full-time.
The unique 10,107-square-foot branch focuses on improving ways in which credit union staff help members understand money. Efficiently using floor space, this branch will serve as a laboratory to:
- Explore and test new ways of helping members understand money and improve their financial positions;
- Teach members how to control their money through hands-on demonstrations of Dupaco desktop and mobile deposit services;
- Deploy and test emerging technologies that shift staff time and resources from traditional transactional duties to more in-depth member interactions; and,
- Test future member-centric branch designs and concepts through a flexible layout.
The branch features a service delivery technology called interactive video teller, which allows live tellers to conduct real-time, face-to-face transactions from a distance. Dupaco employees located at a central location remotely operate the lobby and drive-through video teller machines.
The new video teller technology is intended to boost the credit union’s mission to improve each member’s financial position, according to Dupaco Assistant Vice President Branch Manager Eric Gilmour.
“Video tellers allow our on-site branch employees to spend more time with members having deeper conversations about money, advice and services,” he said. “We also expect the video tellers to increase future opportunities for member convenience—to serve more members in more places with expanded hours of service.”
In addition to the video teller technology, Dupaco’s newest branch features:
- Interactive laboratory tables for small group discussions and offices;
- Built-in electronic wall displays to aid in consultations about money; and
- Signage and lighting that use LED illumination to conserve energy and reduce electricity costs by more than 35% annually.
The phone number for the Learning Lab is (515) 320-7108. Branch hours are:
Lobby
Monday-Friday: 8:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Saturday: 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Sunday: Closed
Drive-up
Monday-Friday: 8 a.m.–6 p.m.
Saturday: 8 a.m.–1 p.m.
Sunday: ATM only
ABOUT DUPACO COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION:
Dupaco Community Credit Union is a not-for-profit, member-owned financial cooperative headquartered in Dubuque, Iowa. It is dedicated to the financial well-being of its members, and specializes in personalized financial counseling, money advice and education. It offers savings, loans, investments, insurance and wealth management products for individuals and businesses. Dupaco serves residents in 112 counties throughout Iowa, northwest Illinois and southwest Wisconsin. Founded in 1948 by ten Dubuque Packing Company employees, membership has grown to more than 143,000 with assets exceeding $2.7 billion. It has more than 600 employees and 19 branch office locations. Dupaco is a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). It is a Forbes Best-in-State Credit Union and a Des Moines Register Top Workplace. Learn more at www.dupaco.com/newsroom.
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