Ascend Federal Credit Union has opened a new financial center at 6800 Charlotte Pike in the Nashville West Shopping Center.

This is the third facility Ascend has opened this year, and it may represent the future of how excellent service is delivered to more members more efficiently.

Ascend’s Personal Assistance Service System, or PASSport, is featured in the drive-ups at the credit union’s new Mt. Juliet and Nashville-Charlotte Avenue financial centers. The groundbreaking technology connects credit union members with Ascend tellers via video and touchscreen.

However, the new Nashville West facility forgoes Ascend’s customary teller pods for two PASSport units in its lobby. Tellers located at the credit union’s Corporate Headquarters in Tullahoma use PASSport to provide members with basic financial transactions. Staff is available at the financial center to assist members with loans.

“Think of Nashville West as a small footprint with maximum impact,” Ascend President and CEO Caren Gabriel said. “Facilities like this one that feature PASSport will allow us to expand member convenience to locations more cost effectively without sacrificing member service.”

With $1.697 billion in assets and more than 148,000 members, Ascend is the largest credit union in Middle Tennessee and one of the largest federally chartered credit unions in the United States. For the past 10 years, Ascend has returned $55 million to members in bonus dividends and loan interest refunds.

Ascend is federally insured by the NCUA. Membership is limited.

October 30, 2014