New credit union building opens in Minden

After a year of construction, employees and members of the Greater Nevada Credit Union have a new building to call their own.

"We are relieved to be in here," said branch manager Linda Bratton. "We have had a lot of positive feedback about the building. Our members are as excited as our staff."

The building is a homage to the old Minden Flour Mill downtown, with a miniature silo as its entrance, and the outside of the main lobby resembling a barn.

"Some members have been confused about the silo and the barn," said Bratton. "This is an agricultural community, and we wanted to build something that fit in with the community."

The inside of the bank is modern and spacious, with high, slanted ceilings, steel rafters and large windows looking out on Highway 395 and the more distant Carson Range.

"We needed the space," said Bratton.

Bratton has worked for the credit union for 17 years, in the old building where the new one now stands, and in the interim office in the Stratton Center while the new building was being constructed.

"This is an excellent place to work," she said.

Bratton said unlike traditional banks, Great Nevada Credit Union is member-owned.

"It offers every product and service a regular bank offers, but it's a not-for-profit organization," she said. "It's governed by a volunteer board of directors."

Bratton said Greater Nevada Credit Union has 5,300 members in Carson Valley.

"It's more like a family than a financial institution," she said. "We are able to give our members higher dividends from their accounts and lower interest rates for loans."

Bratton said the credit union has not been affected by the slumping economy.

"We are just as busy as we were two years ago," she said. "In fact, we are busier."

Waiting in line for a teller, GNCU member and Bently employee Mike Breckenridge said he liked the new building.

"The inside is very impressive, and it looks like there is more teller space available," he said. "And the outside looks good."

A ribbon cutting ceremony for the new branch will be 5 p.m. June 18. Its grand opening will be 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 21 and will feature food, drawings and give-aways.