One of the state’s largest credit unions is celebrating the opening of a new main branch in a major Connecticut business district.
Dutch Point Credit Union has a new branch at the Goff Brook Shops on the Silas Deane Highway in Wethersfield. The branch, at 1269 Silas Deane Highway, is three miles from the former branch, and places the credit union in the “heart of the Wethersfield business district, offering increased visibility and accessibility for members,” the credit union said.
The branch includes “state-of-the-art banking amenities, including an Express Banking Hub with an Interactive Teller Machine” to offer fast, self-service transactions, according to the credit union. “Thoughtfully designed with both technology and community in mind, the space reflects Dutch Point’s ongoing commitment to supporting financial wellness for individuals and families.”
“This new branch is more than a building—it’s a reflection of our promise to put our members and our community at the center of everything we do,” said Charlyn Tanner, president & CEO of Dutch Point Credit Union, in a statement. “We’ve designed this space to be welcoming, innovative, and rooted in service—just like Dutch Point itself. We’re proud to continue our journey here in Wethersfield, where we’ve called home for more than six decades.”
Credit union officials have said the new location is closer to the heart of the Silas Deane’s commercial and entertainment district.
Tanner has said the new “future-driven branch” is designed to represent “the utmost in modern banking and a key point of financial wellness for our members and our community.”
“This branch has been thoughtfully designed with member needs in mind, offering a welcoming and secure environment, and located at a site that is already part of their daily routine — close to the places they shop, dine and take care of everyday tasks,” Tanner has said.
In addition to Wethersfield, Dutch Point has branches in Bloomfield, Newington, Berlin, Middletown and Niantic.
The new site comes as change occurs in how branches are deployed in a broader trend of fewer branch locations overall. Nationally, some banks are pulling back on branches to invest in the increasingly sophisticated technology demanded by customers.
In the last decade, the number of bank branches in Connecticut declined nearly 24%, down to 978, as of June 30, 2023, statistics available from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. have shown. That compares with 1,278 in 2013, a difference of more than 300, according to the FDIC, which insures deposits.
A survey by the American Bankers Association revealed that 45% of consumers nationwide used smartphone apps or other mobile devices as the top option for managing their accounts in the previous year. Another 27% used online banking from a computer, while just 14% sought out a branch.
Dutch Point was founded in 1960 by employees of the Hartford Electric Light Co. and now has 24,000 members across four counties in Connecticut. The credit union has assets of more than $500 million, placing it among the top 10 largest credit unions in the state.
Dutch Point Credit Union, which has operated in the Greater Hartford community for more than 65 years, will celebrate the grand opening of the new Wethersfield branch on Thursday, July 17.
Reporting by Kenneth Gosselin is included.
