Credit union cuts ribbon in Sisters

Dozens of staff, customers and well-wishers dropped by the parking lot at 703 N. Larch St. last Saturday to enjoy some Three Creeks Brewing Co. pulled pork, listen to some tunes by The Anvil Blasters - and, most importantly, to welcome Mid-Oregon Credit Union (MOCU) to Sisters.

The celebration marked the opening of the seventh branch of the credit union that was established back in 1957 by eight teachers and school employees in Prineville. In the ensuing decades, Mid-Oregon Credit Union has built solid relationships with customers who prefer to do their banking through a credit union.

"It's really structure," Marketing Director Kyle Frick said of the difference between a credit union and a bank.

A credit union is democratically owned and controlled by a volunteer board. Credit unions do not have to concern themselves with maximizing profit and shareholder value.

"Our focus is on our members and providing service to our members," Frick said.

The Sisters branch features an ATM and employs three people - with expectations for growth.

The branch is located adjacent to the Sisters substation of the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office, which led on Saturday to plenty of joking comments about enhanced security.

The staff at MOCU enjoyed their outreach into the community - particularly giving a bike to a Sisters youngster in partnership with the Circle of Friends mentorship program. Staff members put together a large number of bikes last year for giveaways. They plan to give away two more in short order.

Frick said MOCU has approximately 27,000 members. Many are in Sisters and are welcoming the opportunity to do business in Sisters rather than having to drive to Bend or Redmond.

For more information, visit www.midoregon.com.