A New Traveling Credit Union Hits The Roads Of Southeast Minnesota

Rochester, MN (MinnesotaNow)-- Southeast Minnesota residents might soon spot something unusual rolling through their town, a full-service credit union on wheels. First Alliance Credit Union has officially launched its new Mobile Branch, a 40-foot traveling unit designed to bring financial services directly to communities that don’t have a local branch.

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The traveling branch, which debuted Oct. 29 with a ribbon cutting hosted by the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce, looks more like a modern RV than a credit union. Inside, it’s outfitted with private offices for one-on-one financial consultations and high-tech kiosks where members can make transactions, talk to live tellers, open new accounts, or even apply for loans, all without ever stepping foot inside a traditional branch.

“Our mobile branch is more than just a vehicle; it’s a symbol of our commitment to show up for people, wherever they are on their financial journey,” said Brent Rempe, President and CEO of First Alliance Credit Union. “We believe access to trusted financial services shouldn’t depend on your zip code.”

The Mobile Branch will travel throughout First Alliance’s 14-county field of membership, with an emphasis on visiting cities that don’t currently have a branch location. The credit union plans to partner with local organizations and nonprofits to set up regular stops, ensuring convenient, consistent access to banking services.

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Senator Carla Nelson, who represents Minnesota District 24, attended the ribbon-cutting and praised the effort for making financial tools more accessible to families in rural areas. “Families in southeast Minnesota want to make good financial choices, but to do that they need accessible financial services,” Nelson said. “That is why this concept excites me; it makes banking more accessible.”

The project was partially funded through a technical assistance grant from the CDFI Fund, a national program that supports community-based financial institutions focused on economic inclusion and development.

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First Alliance Credit Union is encouraging local businesses, nonprofits, and community organizations interested in hosting the Mobile Branch to reach out. Partnership inquiries can be directed to Kristina Kovacevic at kkovacevic@firstalliancecu.com.