LAPLACE — A credit union is different than a bank because it is member-owned and driven by the people of the community, according to Theresa Billiot, branch manager at Jefferson Financial Federal Credit Union.

“It’s one-on-one service,” Billiot said. “Our members are highly valued. We know a lot of them by name. It’s not just a number.”

Members who visit the Luling Branch at 149 Hall St. will find new renovations have added an elegant touch to the lobby and improved functionality to the drive-up.

“We have expanded the teller line and refreshed the lobby,” Billiot said. “Right now, they are working on renovating the drive-up. We are going to have visual computer monitors on the two lanes.”

The monitors will add on to the features in the drive-up, which already include an enhanced speaker system and new chutes. Billiot said the addition would also improve customer service.

“Communications in the drive-up will definitely be more clear,” Billiot said. “It will eliminate some fraud risks because we can visually see the person that we are speaking to, and they will be able to see us.”

The Luling Branch is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. The location can be reached during business hours at 800-259-2471.

The first Jefferson Financial Federal Credit Union branch was chartered more than 50 years ago on the second floor of a floral shop to serve employees of the Jefferson Parish Public School District. Today, there are more than a dozen locations across Metairie, Kenner, New Orleans, Jefferson, Luling, Marrero, Harvey, Gretna, Mandeville, Livingston and Denham Springs. There are also two locations in Alabama that demonstrate the company’s capacity for future expansion.

The newest branch recently opened at 3900 Veterans Memorial Blvd. Suite 101 in Metairie.

Jefferson Financial FCU offers auto loans as low as 1.99 percent APR and mortgage loans as low as 3.34 percent APR. Credit cards available to members start as low as 7.9 percent APR.

Online services allow members to bank from anywhere at any time, whether it involves paying bills, transferring funds or making payments toward loans.

“We are electronically accessible,” Billiot said. “All of our ATMs accept cash and check deposits, and the e-services Jefferson Financial offers are wonderful. You can completely have access to and control your account all through our app.”

Full service checking and savings accounts are offered, as with any traditional bank.

“Most things you can do at a bank, you can do at a credit union,” Billiot said. “Our interest rates are usually better. Loan rates are usually lower, whereas interest earned can be higher.”

For more information, visit jeffersonfinancial.org.

Click to report corrections.