PenFed Credit Union opens its doors

By LYNETTE SOWELL 
Cove Leader-Press 

The familiar sign outside the former Texas Partners Federal Credit Union at 809 S. Main St. has been replaced with one for PenFed Federal Credit Union. 
The merger of Texas Partners with PenFed was completed on Dec. 2, 2018, with all Texas Partners accounts being converted over to PenFed accounts and products. 
Along with that changeover, the Copperas Cove branch of Texas Partners closed its doors in mid-November, but only temporarily. After about six weeks for a facelift, the interior of the bank has had new flooring installed, wallpaper removed, and restrooms renovated, all complete with the PenFed Credit Union’s colors. 
Deb York is the senior manager of branch operations for PenFed and the longtime Covite was excited to be there for the bank’s reopening on Monday morning. Customers were greeted with refreshments and PenFed gave away reusable shopping bags and more with the PenFed logo on them. 
“We are so happy to be here in Copperas Cove,” York said. “Some of the members who have come in this morning have said, I went to high school with your children. It feels like coming home to me.”
York works out of PenFed’s office on Fort Hood, and the credit union also has locations in Harker Heights and Temple.
All former Texas Partners Federal Credit Union branches remained open with the same employees on staff. 
The bank is open Monday through Friday, with a new drive-up ATM outside, where customers can conduct transactions, including making deposits. 
York said members who have a PenFed Access America checking accounts have access to thousands of ATMs around the country and can access their funds without a service charge. In addition to PenFed’s ATM, members can make ATM withdrawals locally at CVS and 7-Eleven locations, also with no fee. York said the credit union has the best in the market rates for money market and certificate rates, and offers a range of services like auto loans and credit cards. 
Membership eligibility includes military, Department of Defense, Homeland Security affiliation, Red Cross to include blood donors, or if a family member belongs to PenFed. PenFed is the second largest credit union in the country, with more than 50 branches nationwide
Texas Partners FCU members can continue to use their Texas Partners checks, even with the merger being completed, and all checking accountholders who ordered Texas Partners checks in the last year will receive one free order of checks. Those who have Texas Partners checks may continue to use them through the end of the year.