PONDERAY — To celebrate the grand opening of the newly relcated Bonner County branch, Spokane Teachers Credit Union threw a part and gave away gifts.

To celebrate its move 300 feet down Kootenai Cutoff Road into a brand-new facility, STCU surprised three local non-profits with checks. Grants were given to:

- Panhandle Alliance for Education — STCU sponsors the READY for Kindergarten! program for infants to 5-year-olds and the PAFE Teacher Award Grant reception.

- Pend Oreille Arts Council — STCU has consistently supported POAC’s performing arts series.

- The Festival at Sandpoint — STCU has been a supporter of the summer concert series since its first donation on June 22, 2009 — 10 years ago to the month.

The new Bonner County branch opened to customers on June 10, offering customers more space and service options. The building, at 477123 Highway 95, sits just 300 feet from the branch STCU opened a decade ago in the Ponderay Crossing Shopping Center, at U.S. Highway 95 and Kootenai Cutoff Road.

The “mountain contemporary”-style building is twice the size of the old location at branch, featuring three drive-through lanes offering teller and ATM access, as well as a 24-hour walk-up ATM.

STCU officials said they expect new personal and business memberships to keep pace as the region continues to expand. The credit union had 73,000 members when the Bonner County branch opened. Now it has 192,000 members, $3 billion in assets and five of its 23 locations are in North Idaho, with a sixth slated to open this year in Rathdrum. About 15% of STCU members live in North Idaho.