October 25, 2007

National 1st Credit Union opens doors at Almaden Plaza

By Jeanne C. Carbone
Staff Writer

Maybe you haven’t heard of National 1st Credit Union, which recently opened its doors at the Almaden Plaza. But they’ve been in operation since 1968.

Beata Koszalka, left, Jessica Tingey and Marissa Neary, National 1st Credit Union’s Almaden staff, provides service with a smile. Photo by Dan Miranda

National 1st started operations as the NSC Employees Federal Credit Union, serving the employees and families of National Semiconductor. Thirty-nine years later, National 1st offers benefits to any person who lives, works, worships, or attends school in Santa Clara County--and for the past 20 years, in Tarrant County, Texas.

“We’re excited to be in the community serving our current members and looking forward to new members,” said National 1st Credit Union President/CEO Marcia Franks. “Our new full-service branch includes a 24/7 ATM and for the first time, Saturday hours.”

Franks started in accounting with National 1st Credit Union 30 years ago and became the president and CEO five years later. National 1st now has over 17,000 members and $170 million in assets. A full-service credit union, National 1st offers:

Savings accounts, which require a minimum balance of $5 with no monthly/annual fee.

Checking accounts, which require no minimum balance and no monthly/annual fee.

Visa Gold Credit Card, which offers an air miles program with no annual fee.

Loans for auto, home equity, and mortgages.

Online banking that allows members to perform transfers, balance inquiries, view cleared checks and more.

Bill payment is free when members pay at least one bill per month.

Marcia Franks is the president/CEO of National 1st Credit Union. A new branch recently opened at Almaden Plaza. Photo by Jim Nelson

Free 24-hour telephone account access, a toll-free number, direct deposit, ATM and VISA debit cards.

A credit union is a cooperative financial institution that is owned and controlled by its members. Credit unions differ from banks and other financial institutions in that the members who have accounts in the credit union are the owners of the credit union. Credit union policies governing interest rates and other matters are set by a volunteer board of directors elected by and within the membership itself.

“We’re excited to be at our new location in Almaden,” said National 1st Vice President of Member Services Geraldine Siri. “We’re known as a community credit union and our focus is personal service.”

Though both Franks and Siri work out of National 1st Credit Union’s Santa Clara branch, they will be periodically in the new location at Almaden Plaza with representatives Beata Koszalka, Jesica Tingey and Marissa Neary. They have another connection as well. Siri’s children both graduated from Leland High School, and Franks lives in Almaden.

National 1st Credit Union Almaden Branch is located at the Almaden Plaza, 5353 Almaden Expressway, Suite F-80, San Jose. Hours are Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturdays: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Phone (888) 672-6073 or visit www.national1st.org.