Pennsylvania Credit Union Association

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Pennsylvania Credit Union Service Centers, Inc.
(PaCUSC)

Pennsylvania Credit Union Service Centers, Inc. (PaCUSC) provides assistance to any Pennsylvania or Delaware credit union interested in joining the national shared branching network.

With shared branching, credit unions from all over the country have joined together to share branch facilities, giving members the ability to conduct personal teller transactions.  Members of participating credit unions have access to their credit union accounts through a national shared branching network with over 4,000 offices and kiosks nationwide. That network is served primarily though credit union branch offices, along with stand-alone “CU Service Centers” that operate in certain markets. Your members will receive the same friendly, personal service just like they would at their own credit union.

Credit unions that join shared branching are able to offer members much more than a national network of branches. Credit unions that join shared branching can also offer CO-OP Fast Branch – a self-service kiosk based on the shared service platform. In addition, many participating credit unions are now offering their members mobile banking services through CO-OP Mobile Banking. Based on the shared branching infrastructure, CO-OP Mobile Banking requires no installation or licensing fee only a developmental fee for download application options.

Shared branches are identified by a swirl on branch signage or lobby area. Members can find a complete directory of all shared branches through www.cuservicecenter.com. Through the Web site, members can download the shared branch locations available on their GPS. A toll-free number (800-919-CUSC) is also available to assist members. Credit unions offering CO-OP Mobile Banking can also provide access of shared branching locations through the mobile banking service.

Members of participating credit unions can conduct a range of teller transactions, such as:

• Deposits
• Withdrawals
• Loan Payments
• Transfers

Members can access their account by providing government-issued photo identification, such as a driver’s license or U.S. passport. They will also need the name of the participating credit union, along with their account number.

PaCUSC is a CUSO owned by several Pennsylvania credit unions, the Pennsylvania Credit Union Association and Pacul Services, Inc., the service corporation of the Pennsylvania Credit Union Association. CO-OP Shared Branching is an affiliate of CO-OP Financial Services. CO-OP Financial Services is the nation’s largest credit union-owned EFT network and processor.

Credit unions that provide shared branching capability to their own members are considered “Issuers”. There is a fee to the credit union associated with member transactions at shared branches. Credit unions that provide shared branching to members of other credit unions through one or more of their existing branch offices are considered “Acquirers”. Those credit unions earn fee income in exchange for providing service to members from participating credit unions (Issuers).

Credit unions can be an “Issuer” or both an “Issuer” and an “Acquirer”. A credit union can initially offer shared branching capability to their members as an “issuer” and decide to offer their branch offices to members of other credit unions as an “acquirer” at any point in the future. Some credit unions make the decision to become an issuer and acquirer at the same time. Becoming both an issuer and acquirer helps promote the cooperative nature of the national credit union movement, and helps to offset the cost associated in providing shared branching capability to your own members.