Eight adults stand outside a credit union branch holding a blue ribbon during a ribbon-cutting ceremony, with green and blue balloons beside the entrance. — Local officials and Delta Community representatives celebrate the opening of the credit union’s new Roswell branch Oct. 14. Courtesy of Delta Community Credit Union.

Delta Community Credit Union celebrated the opening of its new Roswell branch Oct. 14, bringing banking services closer to about 4,000 members who live within five miles of the location.

The branch at 660 W. Crossville Road has a 10-person team, two interactive teller machines with 24-hour ATM access, and home-loan and retirement-services specialists available to meet with members.

It is Delta Community’s fourth North Fulton branch, joining locations in Alpharetta, Johns Creek and Sandy Springs. The credit union says it serves more than 21,000 members and 1,100 businesses across North Fulton.

“We look forward to providing greater convenience to existing members and extending service to other residents who live in Roswell and the surrounding communities,” CEO Hank Halter said.

Eight airline employees and $45

Delta Community began on March 8, 1940, when eight Delta Air Lines employees pooled $45 to establish what was then called Delta Employees Credit Union.

Their aim was to give coworkers access to fairly priced loans. That small employee cooperative grew into what is now Georgia’s largest credit union, with more than 550,000 members and over $9 billion in assets, according to the institution.

Credit unions are owned by their members. Although Delta Community retains its airline name and employee ties, membership now extends to people who live or work in eligible metro Atlanta counties.

Its history helps explain the name: the institution began with airline workers and gradually expanded to serve the wider community.

Branches across North Atlanta

Along with Roswell and its other North Fulton locations, Delta Community’s branch directory lists offices serving Buford, Canton, Chamblee, Cumming, Duluth and Woodstock.

The Chamblee location is named the Chamblee-Brookhaven branch. The Buford and Canton offices are inside Kroger stores.

That gives Delta Community nine branches across those North Atlanta communities. The institution did not provide separate membership totals for each town in its Roswell announcement.

The Roswell opening brings its network to 32 metro Atlanta branches and 35 overall, according to the release. Its first North Fulton branch opened in 2007.

Roswell Mayor Mary Robichaux and Greater North Fulton Chamber President and CEO Kali Boatright joined credit union executives and staff for the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Candis Gilchrist manages the new branch.