Credit union opens on campus

VN photo by TANAJA CAMPBELL

BY TANAJA CAMPBELL /  VN STAFF WRITER

Alliance Catholic Credit Union has officially made its way to Detroit Mercy. 

The university held a grand opening ceremony for the campus micro-branch on Jan. 15.

Detroit Mercy is the first college campus to host a branch of ACCU.   

The private event was held in Fountain Lounge and consisted of a blessing of the bank by Fr. Gerald Cavanagh, a  ribbon-cutting ceremony and a speech by Dean Joseph Eisenhauer of the College of Business. 

The bank, open to students and staff, is located in what used to be an old storage space in the Student Union building.

Having this bank on campus will allow access to all banking needs.  

“We’re excited to be expanding our involvement with the University of Detroit Mercy and launching this new branch concept,” said Rob Grech, president and CEO of the credit union, which has been serving the metro Detroit community since 1956.  

The decision to partner with Alliance was well thought out, Dean Eisenhauer said.

“We didn’t invite a bank or a corporation to open a branch here; we’re deliberately partnering with Alliance Catholic Credit Union because they believe, as we do, that faith, values and social responsibility are complementary to good business,” he said.    

The branch will offer banking services to faculty, students and alumni. 

There are two ATM machines, one in the Student Union and one in Calihan Hall.   

“The entire university community will benefit from having financial services, such as bank accounts and student loans, available on the McNichols campus,” said Eisenhauer.   

The credit union also is offering internship opportunities. 

“We will be staffing our branch with business and finance interns as well as co-op students from Detroit Mercy,” said branch manager Christopher Frost.

The branch is open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays.