RIBBON CUTTING CELEBRATES A LONG-TERM AND ENDURING COMMITMENT TO BENNINGTON

Joined by members, board leadership, staff, and community representatives, Heritage Family Credit Union (HFCU) rededicated its Bennington branch on July 15, following a merger with Tri State Area Federal Credit Union (TSAFCU) earlier this year that led to a consolidation of operations at their 85 Washington Ave. location.

The event served as a two-pronged celebration, acknowledging TSAFCU’s many years as a financial fixture in the local community while also reaffirming HFCU’s continued commitment to Bennington. Cutting the ribbon were HFCU members Douglas Cardoza and Patrick Kincaid, local owners of The King’s Knit-Wit, who were joined by fellow member Paula LaPorte, owner of Paula’s Rock Shop. Also on hand for the festivities were Jeanne Mintrone, Executive Director of the Better Bennington Corporation, and Matt Harrington, Executive Director of the Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce. Harrington presented HFCU President and CEO Chris Gomez with a commemorative plaque to help mark the milestone, with the speakers referencing local excitement surrounding the merger and how an enhanced HFCU presence will benefit the Bennington community.

“When you think about where you buy your coffee or where you choose to shop – shopping local and buying local and banking local are so important when you think about vibrancy,” said Gomez to the crowd of 75 guests after discussing HFCU’s history of serving the Bennington community. “When you think about what's across the street and what’s to come – when you think about the people that you serve and your respected businesses and your community – [Heritage Family Credit Union is here and will always be your] community-minded institution.”

On April 1, more than 4,000 TSAFCU members and the staff of their Bennington, VT, and Hoosick Falls, NY, locations officially became part of Heritage Family Credit Union, bringing to a successful close a merger that was first announced in October 2024. In addition to now offering a more robust array of services to former TSAFCU members and the broader Bennington community, HFCU has also maintained TSAFCU’s support of local organizations while continuing its own long-time commitment to a wide array of area nonprofits.