ACU’s new True North Square branch opens with a wow!

ACU’s newest branch brings the credit union right into the heart of Winnipeg.

ACU’s brand new True North Square Financial Advice Centre opened its doors to the public on July 6, 2020, completing the relocation of the Main at York Branch.

Members will see a lot of the same friendly, familiar faces from our former location,” says Branch Manager, Lise Tarasenco.

Here’s what members can expect at this great new downtown location:

In great company at True North Square

Located at 100-223 Carlton Avenue, on the north side of True North Square (TNS) across from Hargrave Street Market, ACU becomes the newest anchor member with its 5,400-square-foot branch on the ground level.

For ACU, the move is all about playing a role in revitalizing downtown Winnipeg and supporting those who live, work and play in the area. Since TNS is a mixed-use development featuring more than 1.5 million square feet of office, hotel, residential, retail, dining and public space, this is a perfect location for the main branch.

Working in the heart of downtown Winnipeg is an exciting opportunity for us all at ACU’s True North Square Financial Advice Centre,” says Lise. “We are looking forward to welcoming our downtown residents, businesses and their employees to our new location. We can’t wait to take part in activities that bring us all together in support of local community initiatives and, of course, our Winnipeg Jets!”

The new branch is easily accessed through downtown’s skywalk network and by active-transportation routes, the Winnipeg Rapid Transit corridor and other environmentally-sound commuting options.

Connecting with members

From the new branch’s living wall to its welcoming, accessible design, it’s a place all about connection.

Our True North Square location is a welcoming experience for everyone,” says ACU Manager, Member Service, Cheryl Pope. “It’s all about amazing financial success in an outstanding environment.”

The TNS Branch offers a new kind of banking experience based on member engagement and a clear philosophy reflecting ACU’s triple bottom line of people, planet and prosperity. In that regard, the credit union ensured that the new branch would offer an enhanced member experience, combining the expert advice expected from ACU’s trusted advisors in a modern, welcoming space.

Going digital

That enhanced member experience can be seen whether working person-to-person with trusted advisors, or in the modern context of digital and self-serve banking. When it comes to technology, the state-of-the-art branch features an interactive media screen experience to engage members and a host of other great tech features.

The interactive screen allows members to view ACU content, select different promotions and learn more about the credit union as they wait to speak with an advisor,” says Jill Hollosi, Manager, Product and Channel. “This will also be a great resource for staff to go through products and services with our members.”

You won’t be able to miss the huge media screen as the focal point of the branch’s main, sunny space, which also displays ACU’s community involvement and other interesting content. The system will also be able to accommodate member presentations and even Winnipeg Jets games.

The branch also has “tech tables” where member services representative can walk members through digital banking options on their devices or on ACU’s tablets. And for more in-depth discussions, other tech-ready spaces will be available for teams — from Wealth Management meetings to Business Financial Centre gatherings and small presentations.

Greening up the branch

The TNS branch welcomes you right in, by design, with its use of the bold colours of the ACU Asterisk and the living plant wall.

Behind the sit-down and stand-up teller pods is the living wall made of local Manitoban plants, with our Asterisk presented in coloured, preserved moss,” Jill describes with enthusiasm. “The living wall aligns nicely with the ‘planet’ portion of our triple bottom line.”

The branch’s colour and community-themed consultation pods are also perfect for walk-in appointments, membership openings, document signings and other quick ad-hoc meetings.

A welcoming space for all

As an added bonus, a see-through fireplace provides members and staff with a warm and cozy feeling while in the Financial Advice Centre, surrounded by an abundance of local artwork, which also reflects ACU’s triple bottom line ethic. Works on display feature a diverse range of Winnipeg’s people, neighbourhoods and cultural institutions. Some of the inspiring pieces also feature ACU’s community partners, with Indigenous works to help highlight the importance of Truth and Reconciliation in our province.

As Jill proudly sums up their approach to the customer experience, “we have a wide variety of members visiting the Financial Advice Centre every day, and we want to ensure all members feel welcomed into the space.”

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