Above photo: Virtual Branch Relationship Specialists Erika, Madelyn, and Hanna, with Virtual Branch Manager, Cody Seward.

January 28, 2022. Rochester, N.Y. –  Since its launch in July 2021, The Summit Federal Credit Union’s Virtual Branch has become one of the most popular services offered by one of New York’s leading credit unions.

Visiting The Summit’s Virtual Branch is easy, secure, and convenient. It goes wherever you are, using any desktop or mobile device. The beauty of the Virtual Branch means that you can be literally anywhere in the world and have a face-to-face Zoom conversation with a Summit Relationship Specialist at a time convenient to you. The Virtual Branch has a team of four, dedicated Relationship Specialists.

The Virtual Branch has really been a game-changer in the way that we are able to serve our members,” said Cody Seward, Manager of Operations and Virtual Branch. “By offering members the ability to schedule a video appointment, we provide them with the trusted, quality service they have come to expect from The Summit at a time and place that is most convenient for them. With the Virtual Branch, no matter where you are, The Summit is close by!”

Members can easily schedule a face-to-face video appointment with a Relationship Specialist through The Summit’s website (summitfcu.org/virtualbranch/).

Unlike the Member Service Center, which is best suited to members that have an immediate need, such as concern or inquiry about account activity or a lost debit card; at the Virtual Branch, members can complete most transactions that they would if visiting a physical branch, in addition to having their questions answered. They can open/add checking and digital spend accounts; take out a loan: including mortgages, home equity, auto loans, and credit cards; as well as opening savings, HSA, IRA, Digital Spend, and Money Market accounts and Share Certificates. Members can also arrange to speak to an Investment Services Advisor and get face-to-face tutorials on how to use The Summit’s online and app resources to make their life even easier.  Many appointments can occur on the same day, within 15 minutes of booking it online.

When the Virtual Branch was designed and introduced six months ago, the service addressed the needs of The Summit’s members to conduct their financial business while still being able to socially distance and remain safe. As we emerge from this pandemic, the Virtual Branch has continued to grow in popularity. It is one of the innovations, created out of necessity, that will serve The Summit well as we return to a sense of normalcy.

“Our members love coming into our physical branches and meeting with an associate in person,” said Madelyn Bernard, Senior Relationship Specialist. “But since we introduced the Virtual Branch last summer, our members really like the convenience of having the same kind of conversation that they would by visiting a branch, but from the comfort of their homes – or wherever they happen to be. We’ve had members join us on Zoom from their kid’s soccer game, from their office, while they are on vacation, as well as from their couch at home. We’ve spoken with snowbirds from their house in Florida, to a member who was vacationing in Australia.”

Member Relationship Specialists at the Virtual Branch are available Monday – Friday, 9am to 5pm.

For more information, please contact

Dawn Kellogg, Public Relations and Community Engagement Specialist at: DKellogg@summitfcu.org or (585) 453-7058.

About the Summit Federal Credit Union

Founded in 1941, The Summit Federal Credit Union is a not-for-profit, member-owned, full-service financial cooperative. With over $1 billion in assets, The Summit has over 230 employees and provides a full range of affordable financial products and services to over 88,000 active members in the Finger Lakes Region and Central and Western New York.

The Summit was the first credit union in New York State to design a Virtual Branch. Here, members can schedule a video appointment with a dedicated, local relationship specialist and complete almost any transaction that they would at a physical branch, from the comfort of their own home – or wherever they are – on their own schedule.

The Summit is dedicated to the rich diversity of the communities that they serve. You will regularly see their staff out and about in the community supporting other not-for-profit organizations that share their mission and values.

For more information, visit summitfcu.org.