Northern Credit Union announces groundbreaking details

NEWS RELEASE

NORTHERN CREDIT UNION

************************* Project invests $8 million in Northern region

Northern Credit Union begins construction of state-of-the-art building in Sault St. Marie

SAULT ST. MARIE (May 27, 2009) - On June 4, at 4 p.m. on McNabb Street, William and Melissa Ouimette will pick up symbolic golden shovels and make history in Sault St. Marie.

The young family will take part in a groundbreaking ceremony to launch the expansion of Northern Credit Union’s presence in the region.

The project brings up to $8 million dollars of construction-related jobs, services and purchases to Northern Ontario, along with an expanded commitment to bringing a unique value-system to the way business and personal finance can be done in the north.

The couple, who work respectively for Brascan and Great Lakes Power, are representative of the 48,000 members who bank with the Northern Credit Union and believe that beyond numbers, their financial institutions should be rooted in a strong, socially-driven philosophy.

“Everything we do is connected to the principles of integrity, respect, knowledge, teamwork and social responsibility,” said Al Suraci, CEO of Northern Credit Union. “Even the physical building will be a reflection of who we are as an organization.”

The 25,000-square-foot building will include a new branch, as well as office space for all administrative and head office functions.

The building design will not only be pleasing to the eye, but it is also environmentally friendly.

Once built, it is expected to achieve four out of five Green Globes in the Green Globes Eco-Rating Program, which is used to evaluate environmental efficiency.

“Our goal is to make everyone stronger - to help us all find balance and build financial futures together that let us all thrive,” said Geoff Shaw, chairman of Northern Credit Union’s board of directors.

“In Sault Ste. Marie this goal is becoming a reality - where we can continue building on a high quality of service, more efficiencies and a commitment to the local economy.”

Serving 22 communities stretching along the Canadian Shield in Northern and Eastern Ontario, Northern Credit Union is a full-service, locally-operated financial institution offering personal and commercial banking expertise to over 48,000 member shareholders.

For more information on Northern, visit here.

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