1st Choice Savings & Credit Union celebrates grand opening of Coaldale branch

Sunny South News Photo Submitted. NEW BRANCH: 1st Choice Savings & Credit Union recently opened a new branch in Coaldale with a grand opening held on Sept. 11. Coaldale residents and families joined staff, local leaders and officials for the grand opening, which included a tour of the new branch, family activities and a ribbon-cutting. 1st Choice Savings & Credit Union officially opened for business on Sept. 12.

By Kristine Jean
Sunny South News

Staff from 1st Choice Savings & Credit Union welcomed families, business owners and local leaders to the grand opening of the Coaldale branch on Sept. 11.  

The new branch, located at 2511 21st Ave., officially opened for business on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026.  

Coaldale Branch Manager Aaron Hernandez said bringing 1st Choice Savings & Credit Union to Coaldale means residents will get to experience community banking right at home. 

“By opening a 1st Choice Savings & Credit Union directly in Coaldale, we have a local team that can help our members feel even more confident in their financial decision-making, whether it’s buying a house, saving for the future or growing a business,” said Hernandez. “We know there’s a lot more trust and comfort when you can sit across from someone at your bank and they understand the unique challenges and opportunities that come up in a smaller community.”

As a team, he said they’re excited to highlight the benefits of a member-owned institution. 

“Local decision-making, profits that go directly back to our members and investments in community programming and events,” he added, noting some of the services that Coaldale and area residents can expect from 1st Choice Savings & Credit Union. 

“We offer all the same products that you’d find at any traditional big bank – we take care of your deposit accounts, lending – both commercially and personally, we can look at Ag as well and we’re on the investment side,” said Hernandez. “We package that with the great customer service that you would expect from a local credit union.”       

Hernandez, who grew up in Coaldale, spoke about the excitement and positive feedback he’s heard from the community surrounding the new branch, including branch hours, which run from Tuesday to Saturday.  

He noted the beautiful location for the new branch, located conveniently right off Highway 3. 

“You really can’t miss us as you’re passing through Coaldale and residents of Coaldale will know exactly where to find us,” he said. 

Grand opening activities on Sept. 11 included a ribbon cutting with branch staff and local officials, while Coaldale families had an opportunity to tour the branch, meet branch staff, and participate in family-friendly activities. 

Jason Sentes, CEO of 1st Choice Savings and Credit Union, said building a branch in Coaldale was a natural fit.

“For years, we’ve proudly served members throughout Coaldale and the surrounding region. Establishing a physical presence allows us to better meet their needs while continuing to invest in community growth,” said Sentes. “Many people may not realize that our members directly shape our financial products and services. That member-driven approach is what makes us a ‘People 1st’ institution that has local roots in the community.”

It is the sixth branch for 1st Choice Savings & Credit Union, in Southern Alberta, which also operates three branches in Lethbridge, one in Cardston and one in Taber. 

“This is our sixth location and it’s exciting for us. We’re very member focused and financial education (focused), and assisting financial wellness with our members is very important to us,” said Sentes. “We’ve been dealing with many members out of this Coaldale town and the region for many years and felt it was time for us to have a physical presence here to support them even more, and show our support for the community as well.”  

1st Choice Savings & Credit Union is a full-service financial institution and cooperative serving approximately 19,000 members across a network of six locations in Southern Alberta including Lethbridge, Cardston, Taber and Coaldale. 

As a member-owned institution,  1st Choice Savings invests back into local communities by sharing profits with members and investing in financial education, community engagement, and event sponsorships.

For more information, visit
http://www.1stchoicesavings.ca