LIHU‘E — Gather Federal Credit Union announced the planned opening of its newest branch, in April 2022, inside Walmart.
“We’re starting the new year off with some exciting news,” said Gather FCU President and CEO Tess Shimabukuro in the Gather FCU newsletter.
“We are pleased to announce we will soon be opening an in-store branch office in the Lihu‘e Walmart. This makes Gather the first credit union on Kaua‘i to operate a branch from within a retail store. The in-store branch will open in April of this year, offering longer office hours.”
The newest office will be located in the space formerly held by McDonald’s in Walmart, and will be a full-service branch without a drive-thru. The scheduled extended hours for the new branch will be 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
“This is a convenient location for many of our members, and we hope it will give even more people the opportunity to join Gather FCU,” Shimabukuro said.
With the scheduled opening of the branch in the Walmart store, Gather FCU will also cease operations at its branch located on Hardy Street, across from the State Building. This branch’s final day of service is scheduled for Feb. 28.
“Rest assured, you will continue to see the same familiar faces you’ve grown to know as our employees from the Hardy Street office will assume roles at other locations,” Shimabukuro said in a letter to Gather FCU members.
“The decision to close the Hardy Street office came only following an in-depth analysis of what works best for our members. Throughout the entire process, our leadership never lost sight of our No. 1 priority — maintaining the exceptional member service you have come to expect from Gather.”
Shimabukuro assured Gather members there will be no interruption in services, and no changes to account access.
“The Hardy Street automated teller machine will remain at its current location,” Shimabukuro said in the letter to members. “If you would like to visit an office in Lihu‘e, our Kukui Grove office is always available, and starting April 2022 our Walmart branch office will be, too.”
Gather FCU is asking all current safety-deposit-box holders who have boxes at the Hardy Street branch to transfer their leases to its other offices by Feb. 28. All sizes of safe deposit boxes are available at the Kukui Grove, Kapa‘a, ‘Ele‘ele and Waimea branches.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
