Tower Federal Credit Union Hosts Ribbon Cutting At New Arundel Mills Branch

George Cumberledge, Chairman of Tower Federal Credit Union’s Board of Directors (left), and Tower President/CEO Martin Breland (right), along with members of Tower’s Board of Directors, branch staff, and management team, are all smiles during a ribbon cutting ceremony on February 6 to celebrate the opening of Tower’s new, expanded Arundel Mills branch. Photo credit: John Cooke Photography.

While many businesses are downsizing, Tower Federal Credit Union is expanding. Maryland’s largest federal credit union celebrated the opening of its newest branch, located at 7065 Arundel Mills Circle in the Arundel Mills Shopping Center in Hanover, Md., with a ribbon cutting ceremony and breakfast on February 6.

One of 16 Tower locations throughout Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Howard and Prince George’s Counties, and the eighth branch to open in the past ten years, the new Arundel Mills branch is a strong sign of Tower’s continued growth and expansion, according to George Cumberledge, Chairman of Tower’s Board of Directors, who led the ribbon cutting. 

“While some financial institutions and businesses are closing locations, Tower is expanding and opening new branches throughout the Baltimore Washington Corridor, he says. “We continue to provide locations convenient to where our members live and work, and close to companies and associations in Tower’s field of membership.”

Tower’s first two-story branch, the new Arundel Mills branch nearly doubles the square footage of the original site, previously located on Arundel Mills Boulevard. Branch operations are on the first floor, and Tower Financial Services offers financial planning and investment management services for Tower members on the second floor.

Over 65 people attended the ribbon cutting, including members of Tower’s Board of Directors and Senior Management, representatives from businesses and associations in Tower’s field of membership, community partners, and reporters from local and national media outlets. Special guests included John Bratsakis, Executive Director of the Maryland & D.C. Credit Union Association (MDDCCUA), Credit Union Times Editor-in-Chief Sarah Snell Cooke, former Fort Meade Commander Ken McCreedy, and employees of PW Campbell, the planning, design and construction team behind the new branch. Guests took branch tours, met Tower management and branch staff, and enjoyed a hearty breakfast buffet provided by Jay’s Deli.

During the ceremony, Cumberledge expounded on the many cost-conscious and environmentally friendly features of the new branch, including energy-efficient geothermal heat pumps for heating and cooling, bio-retention ponds to cleanse parking lot run-off, indigenous plants and trees that require less irrigation, tinted and insulated windows, and a light colored roof and awnings to decrease heat retention. Throughout the construction process, Tower used local businesses whenever possible to support the regional economy.

Noting the branch’s bright, open feel, and multiple windows, Cumberledge said the building was designed not only to be aesthetically pleasing, but also with the comfort and health of Tower employees and members in mind.

He also noted a striking feature of the new branch, giant glass “T’s” made entirely of windows on both sides of the building. At night, the windows are lit with green lights. Cumberledge said this feature is not only attractive but also serves a practical purpose. “It’s a good way to help members find the new branch,” he explained. “We just tell them to look for the big Tower T.”