Credit Union Press Releases

Representatives from Kinston Chamber of Commerce, Self-Help Credit Union and the NC Credit Union League joined with elected officials and branch staff for the official ribbon-cutting.

Self-Help Credit Union hosted the Grand Opening of its new Kinston branch at 1910 West Vernon Avenue earlier this week in conjunction with the Kinston Chamber of Commerce. Speakers included Kinston Mayor BJ Murphy, Self-Help’s Kinston Branch Manager Ashley Pierce, and Self-Help Eastern Regional Director Adelcio Lugo. Several other elected officials also joined in the celebration including 10th District State Representative Karen Kozel and Representative-Elect John Bell.

“It’s a great day for Self-Help, for Kinston and for our credit union members,” said Pierce, the branch manager. “This beautiful, redesigned building is convenient for customers and is key to helping us better serve the people in and around Kinston.”

The Self-Help Kinston branch was formerly Carolina Family Credit Union, in business since 1975, and merged with Self-Help Credit Union in 2010. Carolina Family had its genesis during the 1970s in the form of DuPont KP Employees Federal Credit Union. The DuPont credit union was only available to DuPont employees, and it became Carolina Family in 1996 in order to expand its member base.

Today, Self-Help is working to increase its visibility in Eastern North Carolina — it operates four branches in the east, serving more than 10,000 members. Current membership through the Kinston branch consists of approximately 1,700 persons, most of whom live, work, worship or attend school in Lenoir and Greene counties. In total, Self-Help Credit Union serves more than 30,000 members across the state.

Rep-Elect John Bell (center) commented to Kinston Mayor BJ Murphy (pictured right) on the value of reinvesting in Kinston. “Self-Help opening a new branch in Kinston shows their dedication to the community and we can hope the credit union’s reinvestment will spur further development and growth from businesses.”

The new branch provides walk-in and drive-through service, 24-hour ATM access and a self-serve computer terminal for members who want to access the credit union’s online banking site and other electronic services.

The Kinston location is a completely redesigned structure that preserves much of the original architecture of a building that once housed the Kinston Fire Department, while adding a host of modern enhancements to create a fully repurposed facility. Previously 1,200 square feet, the building has been expanded to 2,300 square feet of useable space. Former garage bays have been converted into covered lanes for drive-up teller service and ATM access. “Green” design elements include the use of large energy-efficient windows that provide natural light, as well as unique countertops constructed of recycled and shredded U.S. currency.

Self-Help (www.self-help.org) is a credit union and non-profit lender headquartered in Durham, with a mission of creating and protecting ownership and economic opportunity for all, especially people of color, women, rural residents and low-wealth families and communities.

Picture captured from West Vernon Avenue in Kinston, NC.