Unitus Community Credit Union will permanently close its Mall 205 branch on November 16th, relocating operations to a new Cascade Station storefront the following week. Credit Union management expedited the planned move after an early October car crash damaged the building, compromising security. Consequentially, tellers are no longer able to complete cash transactions at the Mall 205 location.
Unitus moved into its current Mall 205 space at 1052 SE 96th Avenue on July 25th, 2011, relocating from its former Mall 205 location less than a mile away. The credit union had outgrown the smaller space and wanted to modernize the branch. In a 2011 press release, the financial institution presented the new storefront as “one of Unitus’ signature branches with artwork, a tech center, coffee kiosk, contemporary furnishings and décor.” A little over a decade later, Unitus’ Chief Retail Officer Corlinda Wooden explained they need less space to support members. “We felt that the space at Mall 205 had become too big for the use we need, so we looked for another location nearby to help reduce our lease expenses. We decided to relocate the branch to the Cascade Station shopping center, which is about five miles from the Mall 205 location.”
Unitus Community Credit Union’s decision to shrink its footprint follows many organizations that have reduced leased space post-pandemic. Even before health concerns forced companies to embrace work-from-home operations, the banking industry was adjusting to the mobile-first preference of users who now complete most banking services via smartphone.
Unitus’ move out of the area further reduces banking options for Montavilla residents. US Bank closed its NE Glisan Street branch three years ago, and Riverview Bank consolidated operations out of the neighborhood in 2021. In late 2020, Chase Bank closed its location inside Fred Meyer at 6615 NE Glisan Street. However, OnPoint Credit Union opened in its place a few months later. Montavilla residents also have BMO Bank, formerly Bank of the West, at 8135 SE Division Street.
Unitus Community Credit Union plans to open its Cascade Station branch on November 20th. The Mall 205 location no longer supports cash transactions. However, cash is available through the on-site ATM. Credit union members should look for an email from Unitus announcing the new branch opening sometime in November or check the institution’s website for more details when they post that information.
Promotion: Help keep independent news accessible to the community. Montavilla News has a Patreon account. We invite those who can contribute to this local news source to consider becoming paid subscribers or sponsors. We will always remain free to read regardless of subscription.