EAST ORANGE, NJ – The Atlantic Federal Credit Union ("The Atlantic"), a not-for-profit, member-owned financial institution, celebrated the grand opening of its newest branch at 315 S. Harrison Street in East Orange with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a community donation. The event brought together local elected officials, city leaders, law enforcement representatives, members of the East Orange Chamber of Commerce, and community advocates to welcome The Atlantic into the neighborhood.

Photo of Ribbon Cutting

PICTURED L TO R: LIEUTENANT LEO FILEV (FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE LODGE 188 TREASURER), LIEUTENANT KWABENA SHARIF (FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE LODGE 188 SERGEANT AT ARMS), MARILYN BERROUET (FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE LODGE 188 PRESIDENT), CARLA LASSITER (FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE LODGE 188 VICE PRESIDENT), JOI SMITH (JOI’S ANGELS CEO), MARK SMITH (JOI’S ANGELS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR), MONIQUE LEWIS (EAST ORANGE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PRESIDENT), ADAM CADMUS (THE ATLANTIC FEDERAL CREDIT UNION CHIEF EXPERIENCE OFFICER), ANNA BANKS (EAST ORANGE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SECRETARY), ANTHONY SZEMAN (THE ATLANTIC FEDERAL CREDIT UNION DIRECTOR OF MEMBER ENGAGEMENT AND DELIVERY), SALLY KWOK (THE ATLANTIC FEDERAL CREDIT UNION CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER), ALEXANDER MCCLEAN (CITY OF EAST ORANGE PRINCIPAL PLANNER), NARA GRAICHEN (THE ATLANTIC FEDERAL CREDIT UNION BRANCH SUPERVISOR), AIRAJ HASAN (BLACKSTONE 360 PRESIDENT & CEO), ANTHONY MERO (THE ATLANTIC FEDERAL CREDIT UNION CEO), DETECTIVE KEITH MCKOY (FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE LODGE 111 PRESIDENT), KRISTINA PAKRUL (THE ATLANTIC FEDERAL CREDIT UNION DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES), DENNIS FABBO (THE ATLANTIC FEDERAL CREDIT UNION DIRECTOR OF IT & OPERATIONS), CHERYL ROWDEN (THE ATLANTIC FEDERAL CREDIT UNION DIRECTOR), BOB GRIES (NEW JERSEY FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT), LIEUTENANT CHANDRA POWELL (FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE LODGE 188 SECRETARY), CARLA WHITE-GARRETT (THE ATLANTIC FEDERAL CREDIT UNION COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT REPRESENTATIVE), KENNETH HAWKINS (NEW JERSEY FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE SERGEANT AT ARMS), COUNCILWOMAN TAMEIKA GARRETT-WARD (CITY OF EAST ORANGE 4TH WARD), SERGEANT LAKIA HILL (FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE LODGE 188 CHAPLAIN), ABIGAIL PETGRAVE (THE ATLANTIC FEDERAL CREDIT UNION MEMBER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE)

The Atlantic’s newly renovated space is now open for the Credit Union’s Members and prospective Members to visit for banking services. The branch is conveniently located within the intersection of East Orange and South Orange, bordering Monte Irvin Orange Park and positioned nearly equidistant between the East Orange VA Medical Center and Brick Church Station. The Atlantic’s location features 24/7 ATM access and full-service banking for personal and business needs.

During the ceremony, welcome remarks were offered by Alexander McClean, Principal Planner for the City of East Orange, as well as Mark Cheatam, Manager of Economic Development for the City of East Orange. The Atlantic’s Chief Executive Officer, Anthony Mero, spoke about the significance of the new East Orange branch in the context of The Atlantic’s 90-plus-year history.

“The warm welcome we have received in East Orange affirms our decision to establish a location in this thriving and tight-knit community,” stated Mero. “As an Essex County native privileged to represent The Atlantic as a longstanding pillar promoting financial wellness throughout the communities we serve, I look forward to The Atlantic becoming more woven in the fabric of this community by serving the residents and businesses in the area from our new location.”

The highlight of the event was a donation from The Atlantic to the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 188 (“FOP Lodge 188”). The Atlantic expressed its gratitude to FOP Lodge 188 for the organization’s charitable initiatives throughout the City of East Orange, including the Holiday Toy Drive, Public Safety Youth Academy, and ongoing efforts to support local families while strengthening the relationship between law enforcement and members of the community.

Photo of donation to FOP Lodge 188

PICTURED L TO R: ANNA BANKS (EAST ORANGE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SECRETARY), ALEXANDER MCCLEAN (CITY OF EAST ORANGE PRINCIPAL PLANNER), SALLY KWOK (THE ATLANTIC FEDERAL CREDIT UNION CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER), AIRAJ HASAN (BLACKSTONE 360 PRESIDENT & CEO), ABIGAIL PETGRAVE (THE ATLANTIC FEDERAL CREDIT UNION MEMBER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE), CARLA WHITE-GARRETT (THE ATLANTIC FEDERAL CREDIT UNION COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT REPRESENTATIVE), ANTHONY SZEMAN (THE ATLANTIC FEDERAL CREDIT UNION DIRECTOR OF MEMBER ENGAGEMENT AND DELIVERY), NARA GRAICHEN (THE ATLANTIC FEDERAL CREDIT UNION BRANCH SUPERVISOR), CARLA LASSITER (FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE LODGE 188 VICE PRESIDENT), ANTHONY MERO (THE ATLANTIC FEDERAL CREDIT UNION CEO), DENNIS FABBO (THE ATLANTIC FEDERAL CREDIT UNION DIRECTOR OF IT & OPERATIONS), LIEUTENANT KWABENA SHARIF (FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE LODGE 188 SERGEANT AT ARMS), ADAM CADMUS (THE ATLANTIC FEDERAL CREDIT UNION CHIEF EXPERIENCE OFFICER), KRISTINA PAKRUL (THE ATLANTIC FEDERAL CREDIT UNION DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES), MARILYN BERROUET (FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE LODGE 188 PRESIDENT), SERGEANT KEITH ALSTON (FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE LODGE 188 TRUSTEE), DETECTIVE KEITH MCKOY (FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE LODGE 111 PRESIDENT), LIEUTENANT CHANDRA POWELL (FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE LODGE 188 SECRETARY), BOB GRIES (NEW JERSEY FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT), LIEUTENANT LEO FILEV (FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE LODGE 188 TREASURER), KENNETH HAWKINS (NEW JERSEY FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE SERGEANT AT ARMS), COUNCILMAN BERGSON LENEUS (CITY OF EAST ORANGE 3RD WARD), SERGEANT LAKIA HILL (FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE LODGE 188 CHAPLAIN), COUNCILWOMAN TAMEIKA GARRETT-WARD (CITY OF EAST ORANGE 4TH WARD)

“Our mission at The Atlantic is meeting the financial goals and objectives of our Members and the communities we serve today and tomorrow,” added Mero. “Contributing our time and funding to organizations like the FOP Lodge 188 and to East Orange-based Joi’s Angels, who we are honored to also be joined by today, is a crucial component of fulfilling our mission. These organizations, as well as many other local charitable initiatives, uplift our communities with their tireless dedication.”

The Atlantic’s East Orange branch is open 9:00 am to 5:00 pm from Monday through Friday, and 9:00 am to noon on Saturdays. In addition to in-person service at its branch locations in East Orange, Union Township, and Springfield Township, The Atlantic offers surcharge-free access to more than 40,000 ATMs across the country in the MoneyPass network along with the latest in banking technology across devices.

About The Atlantic Federal Credit Union

The Atlantic Federal Credit Union was founded in 1935 as a not-for-profit financial cooperative to meet the savings and borrowing needs of Members. Today, The Atlantic Federal Credit Union exclusively serves Essex and Union counties in New Jersey with financial wellness resources, competitive rates and technology-driven solutions for personal and business banking. For full eligibility criteria and more information, visit TheAtlanticFCU.com.