We’ve been members of Corning Credit Union since we launched Live Oak Media in late 2019, opening both business and personal accounts. We’ve been so happy with the service that we take every opportunity to share that satisfaction with other business owners. We were thrilled to see Corning Credit Union opening a second Brunswick County Branch (they also have one in the Waterford shopping center in Leland) and wanted to find out more about it and share with all of our readers what CCU offers. Here is what we found out from CCU Market relationship Manager Shari Leone.
Can you tell me a little about Corning Credit Union? Who can join? What do you offer? Who do your customers tend to be?
Corning Credit Union was founded back in 1936 to serve employees of Corning Glass Works, and today we serve more than 150,000 members across the United States and in many foreign countries. Shallotte is the eighth branch we’ve opened in the Carolinas.
Membership is open to anyone who lives, works, worships, or attends school in our service areas, as well as employees of our many partner companies and their families. If you are reading this, you can join!
We offer the full spectrum of financial services — checking and savings products, credit cards, mortgages, auto and boat loans, business banking, and investments through CCU Wealth Strategies. Our members range from young families and professionals to retirees and small business owners, all of whom value our member-first approach.
What makes a Shallotte branch a good idea for CCU?
Brunswick County is one of the fastest-growing counties in North Carolina, and Shallotte sits right at the center of that growth. It’s a hub for the surrounding beach communities and a natural extension of where many of our members already live and work. It’s also equidistant from our Carolina Forest location in South Carolina and our North Carolina Regional Office in Wilmington, so opening a branch here allows us to serve those members more conveniently while welcoming new ones in this thriving community.
How much work has been involved in refurbishing an old bank into your new location? That’s a pretty prime location, isn’t it?
It really is a great location—highly visible and easy to reach. Our team has put a lot of effort into transforming it. We’ve updated the technology, redesigned the interior to be more open and welcoming, and created spaces that reflect the way our members want to bank today. It’s about combining convenience with a warm, community-focused atmosphere.
What will people find at the new location in terms of services?
They’ll find everything they’d expect from Corning Credit Union: our high yield checking products, savings accounts, consumer loans, mortgages, debit and credit cards, and digital banking support. We’ll also offer business banking services, and, of course, 24/7 ATM access. It’s a full-service branch designed to serve both individuals and businesses.
How big a presence do you have in Brunswick County, in terms of members? Is that number growing?
We already serve thousands of members in Brunswick County, and that number keeps growing every year as more people move to the area. We’ve seen a lot of demand from members who live closer to Shallotte or commute across state lines, and this branch is our way of meeting that demand. We fully expect our footprint here to keep expanding.
What are your future plans to expand your services in Brunswick County?
The Shallotte branch is another step forward as we continue to enhance the services we provide to our existing South and North Carolina members. Beyond branches, we’re also committed to expanding community partnerships, offering more financial education, and strengthening our business banking relationships. Our vision is to grow with the county while staying true to our member-first mission.
