Earth Day seems the perfect day for the former Group Health Credit Union to reveal its new name: Salal Credit Union, which is named after a plant that’s native to the Northwest that also has medicinal properties to go along with its health care-focused strategy.
The Northgate branch of Group Health Credit Union is celebrating its grand reopening Friday with a new name, Salal Credit Union.
But the credit union has more than just its new name to celebrate. Its Northgate branch, which closed in October for renovations, also is inviting members and the community to check out its new look during a ribbon-cutting ceremony and grand reopening from noon to 5 p.m. Friday.
And the festivities at the Northgate branch, located at 11023 Eighth Ave. N.E., continue Saturday with the bank’s annual Shredathon from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“People from the community, anybody can come and bring up to two bags of sensitive material that can be shredded on site and safely disposed of,” said a credit union spokesperson. In addition, she said there will be people on site to discuss the importance of shredding sensitive documents that could make you susceptible to identity theft.
Meanwhile, all of Salal Credit Union’s branches are taking part in the naming festivities, with special promotional offers available through May 31.
Although the nonprofit credit union is open to anyone who lives or works in Washington, a significant number of its members work in the health care industry, which is the main reason for the bank’s added focus on health care.
“We’re proud of our history in health care and the reputation we’ve built over the last 60 years,” President and Chief Executive John Iglesias said in a news release. “As we move into the next exciting stage of our business growth, it makes sense to change our name to reflect a new outlook.”
