First Commonwealth Federal Credit Union of Bethlehem is relocating its Lehighton Financial Center from 430 S. Seventh St. to the Carbon Plaza Mall at 1241 Blakeslee Blvd.
Tricia Szurgot, chief marketing and retail officer, said the new location is more visible and convenient.
The move is expected to take place in the spring. All employees are expected to make the transfer to the new center.
The Lehighton center is planned to have a “new look and feel,” enhanced convenience, extended hours, a financial wellness center and a new café.
“This is about helping to improve members’ lives through financial wellness versus just doing transactions,” Szurgot said.
The center also is using some of the latest banking technology. It will feature a stand-alone, drive-up ITM (interactive transaction machine) kiosk in the parking lot with live associates via video and extended hours.
ITMs are advanced ATMs with the added feature of personalized video assistance so members can complete transactions with First Commonwealth staff outside regular banking hours.
“This location is unique, though, as it has an interior and exterior entrance and a stand-alone drive-up ITM kiosk in the parking lot,” Szurgot said. Because we’re in a mall, we couldn’t have a traditional ‘attached’ drive-up, so this is our first location with the stand-alone kiosk concept.”
First Commonwealth has eight locations in the Greater Lehigh Valley and $675 million in assets.
Construction of the new financial center will be managed by F. J. Lesher General Contractor LLC of Palmerton.
