Northern Federal News

New Branch Coming Soon to serve West Carthage, Carthage, and surrounding areas!

In the summer of 2009, NFCU contacted Sustainable Energy Resources regarding the green initiatives outreach program at Clarkson University. We requested SS look at data collected for annual usage for all types of paper. The largest usage was for monthly statements and monthly bills. With a current online system in place for online banking and bill pay. Northern was committed to reducing its Carbon footprint in the local community. By reducing half of the paper statements and paper billing alone, NFCU would be able to limit the amount of CO2 emissions by 12.7 tons. This would save 565,200 sheets of paper 340,800 envelopes 14 trees and $128,261 annually. This savings NFCU could then pass onto their members.

In the growing effort to help promote green energy Northern continued to develop products and services that promote environmentally friendly practices. My Choice Checking products were among the new line of environmentally friendly products. With e-statements, and direct deposit being some of the requirements for the products, Northern was making the first steps in going green by reducing paper statements and billing statements.

The initial stages of the site work began last fall with the installation of an underground retention system. This is a system that collects and recycles rainwater. In addition, an entrance to the parking lot from Bridge Street was created; water and sewer line connections were installed. Northern is building the new branch to meet LEED certification in New York State. LEED is a green building certification system providing verification that a building was designed and built using strategies aimed at improving performance across guidelines including: energy savings, water efficiency, CO2 emissions reduction, improved indoor environmental quality, and stewardship of resources (ie. Recycled carpeting) and sensitivity to their impacts.

Northern is utilizing solar panels to help offset electrical usage and using geothermal ground pumps to heat and cool the building. 300 foot wells have been drilled for the geothermal system and the water extracted will be used for heating and cooling the building. LEED certified materials are also being used that are recycled in content. The building will be 1100 square feet.

Pictures of the branch progress