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Conference 7.286::dcu

Title:DCU
Notice:1996 BoD Election results in 1004
Moderator:CPEEDY::BRADLEY
Created:Sat Feb 07 1987
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1041
Total number of notes:18759

613.0. "GOODBYE DCU" by SA1794::LEMOINEJ (GOIN BROKE IN MASSACHUSETTS) Thu Oct 08 1992 11:38

    Don't know if it's been discussed already but the word we're getting
    from our DCU reps is that the Westfield and Springfield offices of
    the DCU are closing this month for good, one more reason to move
    my money elsewhere
    
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
613.1TOMK::KRUPINSKIRepeal the 16th Amendment!Thu Oct 08 1992 12:2721
	How has Digital's downsizing and closing of plants
	affected DEFCU in terms of numbers of members, number
	of branches, and deposits? What is the expectation of
	how these downsizings and plant closing will affect
	DEFCU down the line?

	I'd expect that many TFSO'd or SERP'd folks will initially put 
	their "packages" in the DEFCU, so we might see some
	initial increase in deposits. But as members draw this
	money down, or shift it into better long term investments,
	I'd expect both deposits and membership to go down.

	Having moved to a location without a branch, I already find
	it harder to do business with DEFCU, if I was TFSO'd or SERP'd
	I'd likely have even less reason to do business with DEFCU,
	especially if my new employer also had a convenient credit
	union...

	What's the Board's take on this?

				Tom_K
613.2It is an important issueESBLAB::KINZELMANTwo Terms, 1 in office, 1 in jailThu Oct 08 1992 14:3113
Answering off the top of my head, yes, the board discusses plant closings
and reductions. If a plant containing a DCU branch closes, typically we
close the branch because we can't afford to fund our own building. If a
plant downsizes, things are a bit hazier because we probably could still
have space in the DEC building. However, if the downsizing is significant,
perhaps the remaining members at the site can't support the branch staying
open. Perhaps they can support an ATM, perhaps not. In other words, without
going into specifics, there are a lot of things to consider when a plant
is downsized.

And to answer .-1's question about deposits increasing due to TFSO/SERP
and then decreasing, yes, that did happen. The statement of condition
I believe shows that.
613.3SA1794::LEMOINEJGOIN BROKE IN MASSACHUSETTSFri Oct 09 1992 09:2714
    The part that really bugs me is the attitude the DCU management has
    taken about all this, from what I hear in SPO the DCU is closing
    because the plant will not PAY the DCU to do business here.What's the
    matter someone at the top need a bigger kitty for their real estate
    investments again.. I don't know of many here who plan on keeping
    their accounts, nowhere to cash checks unless you use ANOTHER banks
    machine at a cost of $1.00. The DCU should change there name because
    they certainly DO NOT represent  DIGITAL employees in my mind unless
    you live in EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS, with the branch closings the message
    I'm getting is they'll be glad to take my money for their investments 
    but are no longer willing to offer any services to me..not even a free
    ATM machine to use, unless I want to drive 60 miles or so...
    
    					
613.4But if there was an ATM?RGB::SEILERLarry SeilerFri Oct 09 1992 12:107
Do you feel that most people would keep their DCU accounts if the branch
were replaced with a DCU ATM?  That would presumably be a much lower cost
alternative for the DCU than keeping a branch open -- but only if there
would still be a fair number of active DCU members at the site.

	Thanks,
	Larry
613.5DCU responseESBLAB::KINZELMANTwo Terms, 1 in office, 1 in jailFri Oct 09 1992 16:27142
This is an official DCU response to the question about the SPO branch
closing.

Author:	DCU                           
Date:	09-Oct-1992
Posted-date: 09-Oct-1992
Subject: spo vax notes response                                                  

         DCU's decisions to close the Springfield (SPO) branch and 
         replace the Westfield (WFO) branch with a DCU Easy Cash24 
         machine were based on a number of operational and 
         profitability factors.
         
         It's never an easy decision to close or reposition a service 
         center; however, product usage, total savings and loan 
         balances and transaction activity at both Springfield and 
         Westfield locations are not sufficient to support a branch.
         
         The decision to install an Easy Cash24 ATM in the Westfield 
         facility was made based on the following:
         
         	1. Westfield's total savings balances and 
         	   total loan balances are twice as large 
         	   as the Springfield branch.
         
         	2. Average monthly transactions at the 
         	   Westfield facility are significantly 
         	   higher and support the cost and 
         	   maintenance of an ATM.
         
         It is important that every service industry continually 
         evaluate the cost effectiveness of their delivery systems - 
         especially in today's economy.  To maintain a branch or ATM 
         where usage and profitability is very low would, in affect, 
         force all members to subsidize those locations.
         
         Finally, and most importantly, DCU's products and services 
         are still very much available to members in these locations.  
         Over 45% of our membership have no direct access to a 
         physical branch or Easy Cash24 ATM, yet, take advantage of 
         our variety of financial services.  The attached letter sent 
         to Springfield and Westfield members contains a detailed 
         description of ways to access the credit union including our 
         toll-free Information Center, Easy Touch audio response, 
         Direct Deposit and network ATMs.  The text of the letter is 
         attached to this response.
         
         (Chuck Cockburn, DCU president and CEO, will be at the SPO
	 facility this Tuesday, October 13th, at 1:00 pm, Conference
	 Room #5 to answer questions and concerns.)

         Dear DCU Member,
         
         Effective November 24 and 25, 1992, DCU will close its 
         branches in Springfield, MA( SPO) and Westfield, MA (WFO), 
         respectively.  Significant decreases in branch usage, savings 
         balances and loan balances have made it impossible to 
         maintain profitable service centers in these locations.
         
         DCU will install an Easy Cash24 ATM machine at the Westfield 
         (WFO) facility.  The expected installment date is November, 
         1992.  Due to greater network ATM access in the metropolitan 
         Springfield area and lower credit union activity, an Easy 
         Cash24 ATM machine is not planned for the Springfield (SPO) 
         facility.
         
         Conducting Business with DCU
         Over forty-five percent (45%) of DCU's membership (Digital 
         employees and their families) do not have access to a branch, 
         however, utilize the following convenient methods to take 
         advantage of DCU's products and services:
         
              * Information Center - DCU's Information Center          
                Specialists are available to answer your questions    
         	and process your transactions Monday through Friday,    
         	8:00 am - 8:00 pm (EST).  Call toll-free at 
         	800/328-8797.
         
              * Network ATM access - These network machines offer you 
         	account access 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for $1.00 
         	per transaction.
         
                Cirrus          TX      Yankee24        Exchange
         
              * Easy Touch - Check balances, make consumer loan 
         	payments, withdrawals, and transfers by using our 
         	audio response system and your touch-tone phone.  Call 
         	our toll-free number 800/328-8797 and select option 2 
         	for Easy Touch.
         
         	Easy Touch instructions will be mailed to you at your 
         	request.  Copies will be available at our Westfield 
         	and Springfield branches through November 24, 1992.
         
              * ACH (Automated Clearing House) - Directly deposit your 
         	payroll check into your DCU savings or checking 
         	account.
             
              * Bank-by-mail - You can mail deposits with our 
         	convenient bank-by-mail envelopes will be available in 
         	our Westfield and Springfield branches through 
         	November 24, 1992, or you can request an initial 
         	supply by calling our Information Specialists 
         	toll-free at 800/328-8797.
         
                                  (continued)

         Conducting Business with DCU (continued)
         
              * Loan Services - Loan products are available to all 
         	credit-qualified borrowers.  These services include:
         
                                 Vehicle Loans
                            ADVANTAGE Credit Lines
                               VISA Credit Cards
                                Personal Loans
                                  Stock Loans
                                  Share Loans
                               Certificate Loans
                               Home Equity Loans
                                First Mortgages
                                 Student Loans
         
         As always, DCU will evaluate each loan based on several 
         factors including income, employment, credit and collateral 
         value.  Consumer loan applications may be submitted to our 
         Consumer Loan Department by mail or by fax; our fax number is 
         508/493-1053.  For more information on our mortgage products, 
         contact our Information Center at 800/328-8797.
         
         DCU values you as a member and encourages you to keep your 
         membership with us.
         
         Best regards,
         
         
         
         Charles J. Cockburn
         President/CEO
         
         	
         
613.6SQM::MACDONALDMon Oct 12 1992 14:1122
    
    Re: .5
    
    > To maintain a branch or ATM where usage and profitability is
    > very low would, in affect (sic) , force all members to subsidize
    > those locations.
    
    Well, here we go again.  This argument was used last year about the
    "new, improved choices" we were being given.  It was made patently
    clear to the DCU throughout all of last Fall that regardless of what
    they, the DCU management thought was right or made sense, that we
    expected them to provide what we, the owners, thought was right or
    made sense.  Given that the downsizing could or clearly would cause
    a problem like this, what has the DCU management done to find out
    what the members would like to have happen.
    
    How do they know that a majority of us, wouldn't be willing to 
    "subsidize these locations."  I don't remember being asked.
    
    Steve
    
    
613.7SA1794::LEMOINEJGOIN BROKE IN MASSACHUSETTSTue Oct 13 1992 12:0310
    Got home  Friday  and a letter was waiting from the credit union
    stating that the Springfield and Westfield  branches will definitely
    be closing . Basicly the letter stated that I will still get ALL the
    benefits of the DCU ..sure....!!!! I'm closing my accounts and going
    with either a local credit union or a local bank , I still wish they'd
    change their name to something more appropriate like the Eastern
    Massachusetts Digital employees credit union since thats who they
    service primarily, they certainly don't seem to be to interested 
    in anything but making it easy to save my money for their investments.
    	
613.8ECADSR::SHERMANSteve ECADSR::Sherman DTN 223-3326 MLO5-2/26aTue Oct 13 1992 12:299
    If you really feel that the Board should not close the branches
    in Springfield and Westfield, why don't you and other concerned
    shareholders gather signatures or at least ask for a meeting
    with the Board?  One of the main advantages of the credit union
    is that it will and can respond to member concerns if enough
    interest is shown.  That can be rather difficult to do with
    a bank.
    
    Steve
613.9HEFTY::LEMOINEJGOIN BROKE IN MASSACHUSETTSTue Oct 13 1992 13:556
    	re-1 The point is well taken and to the Dcu's credit they are
    sending
    someone today to meet with Springfield employees, what becomes of it
    remains to be seen
    								John
    
613.10It may be too late!SCHOOL::RIEURead his lips...Know new taxesTue Oct 13 1992 15:573
       Someone in another Notes Conference says there are world class lines
    at the Springfield branch. Folks closing their accounts!
                                          Denny
613.11ERLANG::MILLEVILLEWear Seatbelts, reduce costsWed Oct 14 1992 06:1240
.6> ... It was made patently
.6> clear to the DCU throughout all of last Fall that regardless of what
.6> they, the DCU management thought was right or made sense, that we
.6> expected them to provide what we, the owners, thought was right or
.6> made sense.

In otherwords, you don't care whether or not the action is profitable for
DCU and consequently the members, only that it makes SENSE?  I most certainly
hope your opinion is in the minority.  If it isn't, the losses suffered by
Mangone may be a drop in the bucket.

No business has ever succeeded giving out more than it takes in.  What you
are saying is that you and all the members 'deserve' service whether or not
the costs are worth the effort.  The DCU Management determines something
makes 'sense' if it results in a BENEFIT (profit) to the DCU and consequently
members.

.6> Given that the downsizing could or clearly would cause
.6> a problem like this, what has the DCU management done to find out
.6> what the members would like to have happen.

Not all the members have access to all the information that the management
has.  Even if they did, some members would ignore crucial information that
would determine whether or not any move would be profitable.  If at least
some of the members would make decisions based on 'service' regardless of
the cost, I am GLAD the Management has sole control of this decision.

.6> How do they know that a majority of us, wouldn't be willing to 
.6> "subsidize these locations."  I don't remember being asked.

And I am glad they haven't asked you.  I seriously doubt that the majority
of members want to pay a significant amount to support the service of a few.
If people pay for a service, they would like the cost of the service they
purchase to be spread evenly among all the patrons, not be out of balance
as you propose.

It's like Purity Supreme (a food chain in New England) opening a store in
California.  They would ship all goods from New England, expecting it to be
profitable when there are local stores there that could do the job without
the costs of shipping.
613.12Replace branches with ATMsNAC::KINDELBill Kindel @ LKG1Wed Oct 14 1992 09:4127
    Re .7:
    
>   Got home Friday and a letter was waiting from the credit union
>   stating that the Springfield and Westfield branches will definitely
>   be closing.  Basicly the letter stated that I will still get ALL the
>   benefits of the DCU ..sure....!!!! I'm closing my accounts and going
>   with either a local credit union or a local bank , I still wish they'd
>   change their name to something more appropriate like the Eastern
>   Massachusetts Digital employees credit union since thats who they
>   service primarily, they certainly don't seem to be to interested 
>   in anything but making it easy to save my money for their investments.
    
    For the UMPTEENTH time, "good service" does NOT equal "a branch at
    every site".  Look back over the past year.  How many transactions did
    you do with DCU that REQUIRED a human teller?  I have a DCU branch in
    my building (LKG), but I rarely use it because BayBank gets the bulk of
    my family's business by virtue of its excellent X-Press 24 ATM network. 
    My DCU transactions fall into three categories:
    (1) deposits, of which most are direct-deposited from my paycheck to my
    	checking (-5) and RSVP (-10) accounts and the rest of which can be
    	done at any DCU ATM (but NOT at BayBank X-Press 24 ATMs 8^(;
    (2) checks drawn upon my DCU account; and
    (3) transfers to/from RSVP, which I do by EasyTouch.
    
    Unless Springfield and Westfield are both closing OUTRIGHT, I'd support
    replacing BOTH sites with ATMs and a METpay-like "circuit rider" to
    deal with loan applications and the like.
613.13ROULET::JOERILEYEveryone can dream...Thu Oct 15 1992 05:2822
    RE:.11

>.6> How do they know that a majority of us, wouldn't be willing to 
>.6> "subsidize these locations."  I don't remember being asked.
>
>And I am glad they haven't asked you.  I seriously doubt that the majority
>of members want to pay a significant amount to support the service of a few.
>If people pay for a service, they would like the cost of the service they
>purchase to be spread evenly among all the patrons, not be out of balance
>as you propose.

    These people are being told they have to subsidize services for you and
    get nothing in return for it or take their business elsewhere.  I've been
    lucky so far the three plants I've worked in have had a DCU branch and
    one has an ATM also.  I certainly wouldn't mind kicking in something 
    so that these folks could get some semblance of service.  The way I see 
    it the credit union doesn't have to make money all it has to do is brake 
    even.  Of course this is just my opinion but if it came to a vote I'd
    have to vote to give everybody some kind of service.

    Joe

613.14It's not the end of the world!MUDHWK::LAWLEREmployee says 15000 analysts must go!Thu Oct 15 1992 08:4621
    
    
    
      On the other side of the coin,  why is having a local branch
    so important?
    
      When the banking situation in N.H. got shaky,   I switched all
    my money (Both dollars! :^)   to a credit union based out of 
    virginia.
    
      Banking by mail/touch_tone  took a bit of getting used to, but
    it really hasn't been any problem.  Getting cash is a bit of a 
    pain,  but there are plenty of places around (such as grocery 
    stores)  where you can cash a check,  and avoid ATM fees.
    
      To be honest,  dealing with NFCU remotely has been a lot more
    pleasurable than dealing with many of the local institutions which
    have branch service...
    
    
    							-al
613.15PATE::MACNEALruck `n' rollThu Oct 15 1992 14:0410
�I certainly wouldn't mind kicking in something 
�    so that these folks could get some semblance of service.  
    
    Did you feel this way when checking account fees were proposed?  They
    would have (at least in part) subsidized those who carry small
    balances.
    
    Also, those folks certainly get more than "some semblance of service". 
    What they don't get is a teller and a free ATM.  What they do get is
    everything else.
613.16ROULET::JOERILEYEveryone can dream...Fri Oct 16 1992 00:3013
    RE:.15

   > Also, those folks certainly get more than "some semblance of service". 
   > What they don't get is a teller and a free ATM.  What they do get is
   > everything else.

    	Facts are people outside eastern Mass. get less for their money
    than the people in eastern Mass.. Other than the ATM in this building
    I haven't a clue as to where anymore "free" ones are.  So who is 
    subsidizing who.  It sounds like as long as your on the receiving end 
    it's ok but when it's the shoe is on the other foot.

    Joe
613.17PATE::MACNEALruck `n' rollFri Oct 16 1992 10:335
�It sounds like as long as your on the receiving end 
�    it's ok but when it's the shoe is on the other foot.
    
    Sorry, Joe, but the shoe has been on the other foot.  I spent 2 years
    about 1200 miles from a DCU office.
613.18SA1794::LEMOINEJGOIN BROKE IN MASSACHUSETTSFri Oct 16 1992 14:0716
    	Hmmmm sounds to me all the talk about making profitable decisions 
    means you want more of a bank then a credit union. If profit motive
    is what should govern all DCU decisions, then close all the branches
    and make everyone bank by phone. The DCU is no longer acting like a
    credit union, more like a bank. Frankly I think all these branch
    closing are caused more by bad investments and plain old corruption 
    in the past and the new management is NOT representing me nor any other
    employee here in Springfield or in Westfield. Mr Cockburn showed up
    here and knows that most employees he talked to did not buy the
    reasoning around the closing decisions, he also was dead in the water
    about the DCU rate being so much better then anywhere else, not an hour
    went by before local loan rates and credit card rates were being
    circulated that were much better than DCU's.Those that keep their
    account with DCU here will use services like free checking but will not 
    keep my savings with them.
     
613.19This sounds rather familiar...SCAACT::AINSLEYLess than 150 kts. is TOO slow!Fri Oct 16 1992 15:476
    I find this string somewhat humorous.  We field employees have been
    subsidizing the GMA for a long time and now that some other folks have
    to do it too, they don't like it.  I'm not complaining.  It's a fact of
    life when you are dealing with any geographically spread credit union.

    Bob
613.20PATE::MACNEALruck `n' rollFri Oct 16 1992 15:5915
�    	Hmmmm sounds to me all the talk about making profitable decisions 
�    means you want more of a bank then a credit union. 
    
    No, it means that I want my money in a stable institution.  It does me
    very little good to have my money in a place that is losing money no
    matter how good the service is.
    
�Frankly I think all these branch
�    closing are caused more by bad investments and plain old corruption 
�    in the past 
    
    There are easy and more plausible reasons than the one presented here. 
    Reasons like significant DEC workforce reductions and plant closings.
    
    
613.21SQM::MACDONALDFri Oct 16 1992 16:3364
    
    Re: .11
    
    
> In otherwords, you don't care whether or not the action is profitable for
> DCU and consequently the members, only that it makes SENSE?  I most certainly
> hope your opinion is in the minority.  If it isn't, the losses suffered by
> Mangone may be a drop in the bucket.

    You're putting YOUR words in my mouth.  I didn't advocate anything
    other than the DCU not forgetting that the existence of the DCU is
    for the benefit of the members and that maximum profit may NOT be
    the wish of the majority of the membership.  It just might be that
    we put service ahead of profit, but we'll never know if they don't
    take the trouble to find out.  They got into trouble with us in the
    past by making assumptions and this decision to close the offices in
    western Mass might be evidence that the lesson isn't fully learned yet.
    
    >No business has ever succeeded giving out more than it takes in.  
    
    You don't say.
    
    > What you are saying is that you and all the members 'deserve' service
    > whether or not the costs are worth the effort.  The DCU Management
    > determines something makes 'sense' if it results in a BENEFIT (profit)
    > to the DCU and consequently members.

    Two strikes, wrong again.  I am saying that it is up to the members to
    decide if the "cost is worth the effort" and not the management.  For
    ME, a "BENEFIT" can take more forms than just profit.  For ME, a
    benefit is also service and frankly considering what DCU pays in
    dividends, they BETTER get service right.

    > If at least some of the members would make decisions based on
    > 'service' regardless of the cost, I am GLAD the Management has sole
    > control of this decision.

    So what YOU are saying is that profit is most important to you, and 
    you want it YOUR way no matter what.
    
    > And I am glad they haven't asked you.  
    
    You weren't a member of the previous board were you?
    
    > I seriously doubt that the majority of members want to pay a
    > significant amount to support the service of a few.
    
    Tell you what.  How about if we ask the DCU management to check
    instead of speculate.   Then we'll see for sure whether you're
    right or not.
    
    > If people pay for a service, they would like the cost of the service they
    > purchase to be spread evenly among all the patrons, not be out of balance
    > as you propose.

    So YOU say.  As for me, if it costs me a bit in dividends for the
    DCU to keep those offices open until they can work out a suitable
    agreement for those members, then I'm willing to pay that cost.
    
    This is NOT your personal credit union.  And it does NOT belong to the
    DCU management.  We made that point loud and clear last fall.
    
    Steve
    
613.22PATE::MACNEALruck `n' rollFri Oct 16 1992 16:552
    It was pretty clear that members were not willing to take on additional
    costs during the uproar over checking fees.
613.23CROW::KILGOREBill -- 227-4319Mon Oct 19 1992 08:585
    
    Re .22:
    
    No, the only clear point was that checking fees were unacceptable.
    
613.24Round and round it goes...STAR::BUDAWe can do...Mon Oct 19 1992 11:3210
RE: Note 613.22 by PATE::MACNEAL

>    It was pretty clear that members were not willing to take on additional
>    costs during the uproar over checking fees.

You mean item #1 that we voted on was to not allow any addditional costs?

Did you ever hear of the musical group called the 'Spin-Doctors'?

	-mark
613.25PATE::MACNEALruck `n' rollMon Oct 19 1992 11:454
    Yes, additional costs to the members.
    
    Question:  Is the DCU looking at branch offices to be profitable or
    simply self sustaining?
613.26SQM::MACDONALDMon Oct 19 1992 12:3317
    
    Re: .25
    
    > Yes, additional costs to the members.
    
    No, the issue specifically was new charges for checking accounts
    not additional costs in general.
    
    > Question:  Is the DCU looking at branch offices to be profitable or
    > simply self sustaining?
    
    Question: Has the DCU taken the trouble to communicate the issue to
    the membership, explain all the implications, and ask the membership
    what it wants?
    
    Steve
    
613.27Different meeting?STAR::BUDAWe can do...Tue Oct 20 1992 12:348
RE: Note 613.25 by PATE::MACNEAL

>    Yes, additional costs to the members.

The question explicitly talked about checking fees, not the general
wording 'additional cost to members'.

	- mark
613.28PATE::MACNEALruck `n' rollTue Oct 20 1992 13:232
    Maybe we are getting caught up in semantics here, but what else are
    checking fees than additional costs to members?
613.29Think about WE -- *not* ME!NAC::KINDELBill Kindel @ LKG1Tue Oct 20 1992 14:3623
    Re .27, et al:

>   The question explicitly talked about checking fees, not the general
>   wording 'additional cost to members'.
    
    Indeed, the first item on the special meeting agenda was recision of
    changes that had been announced (and then postponed -- but NOT
    rescinded -- once it became clear that members were starting to
    organize) in the infamous "choices" flier.
    
    The REAL issue wasn't checking fees.  The REAL issue was the lack of
    open, honest communications between the former BoD and DCU's members. 
    The new BoD does a MUCH better job at that, but nobody's perfect.
    
    In the current discussion, the BoD has the responsibility to chart a
    course that meets the needs of its members (both individually and
    collectively) without "giving away the store".  At the same time, the
    MEMBERS have the responsibility (especially during these difficult
    times) to remember that a credit union is an institutional way for
    people with a common bond to HELP EACH OTHER.  If each of us thinks
    only about how DCU serves ME rather than on how WE (DCU's membership)
    serve EACH OTHER, then we have repeated the mistake of treating DCU
    like a commercial bank.
613.30rousing the sleeping giantXLIB::SCHAFERMark Schafer, ISV Tech. SupportTue Oct 20 1992 14:506
     "The REAL issue wasn't checking fees."
    
    Who cares about issues?  The checking fees were the motivator, the
    thing that made people do something about it.  You would NEVER have
    gotten the signatures for the special meeting for "open, honest
    communications".
613.31SQM::MACDONALDWed Oct 21 1992 11:3428
    
    Re: .29
    
    > The REAL issue wasn't checking fees.  The REAL issue was the lack of
    > open, honest communications between the former BoD and DCU's members. 
    
    I couldn't agree more.  The checking fees were one of the specific
    items which were complained about, but, as you point out, in the
    context of it all, more of a symptom than a problem.
        
    > In the current discussion, the BoD has the responsibility to chart a
    > course that meets the needs of its members (both individually and
    > collectively) without "giving away the store".  At the same time, the
    > MEMBERS have the responsibility (especially during these difficult
    > times) to remember that a credit union is an institutional way for
    > people with a common bond to HELP EACH OTHER.  If each of us thinks
    > only about how DCU serves ME rather than on how WE (DCU's membership)
    > serve EACH OTHER, then we have repeated the mistake of treating DCU
    > like a commercial bank.

    Again, agreed 100%.  The DCU exists for the MEMBERS.  Because of the
    responsibility to meet the broad needs of the membership, we will not
    as individuals get everything precisely the way we want it.  If the
    DCU always ensures, however, that it knows the desires of the MEMBERS
    and manages accordingly, then we are ALL well and better served.
    
    Steve
    
613.32This is one of the toughest decisionsGUFFAW::GRANSEWICZThu Oct 29 1992 12:3819
    
    RE: .0
    
    Getting back to the original topic...
    
    There is NO WAY closing a branch at a location where DEC employees
    still work will be welcomed.  But layoffs at some locations has brought
    site populations far below what is necessary to support a branch. 
    Before DCU puts a branch somewhere, it evaluates whether there are
    enough people on site to support it.  In the current climate, that same
    evaluation needs to be repeated IMO.  Also, building consolidations may
    warrant the expansion of some branches.  The bottom line is that DCU
    needs to monitor the changing demographics and try to do what is best
    for everybody.  Unfortunately, there will be some people who lose
    something they have gotten used to.  I think DCU offers a wide variety
    of ways to access services other than tellers (in most cases).  Before
    leaving DCU, I think you might want to at least *try* and use the other
    services to see just how much you can't do.
    
613.33In livewireSCHOOL::RIEUSay Goodbye George!Thu Oct 29 1992 16:182
      The SPO plant will be closed by April 1993, as will BTO.
                             Denny
613.34BTO Branch Closing?DNEAST::DUPUIS_STEVEContract Mfg ServicesFri Oct 30 1992 08:142
    Will the DCU Branch in BTO be closing as well?
    
613.35Yes...BTOVT::EDSON_Das digital turns...Fri Oct 30 1992 15:057
    re .34
    
    I just spoke with the BTO DCU branch manager.  She said that yes, they
    will be closing.  They will not be relocating to any other building in
    the area.  As of now, she doesn't know the closing date.
    
    Don