HAPO Community Credit Union has purchased property to begin construction on two new branches.

The Hermiston branch will be at 1905 N. First St., the site of Harley Swain Subaru. The credit union plans to raze the former bank building and build on the site.

Groundbreaking is planned for June, with the branch scheduled to open in November, said  Steve Anderson, HAPOs executive vice president and chief operating officer.

The other new branch will be near Walla Walla, Wash. HAPO, based in Richland, Wash., has purchased property at 1225 S.E. Commercial Drive, College Place. Bank officials are reviewing a schedule for construction and will announce groundbreaking when finalized.

It is very gratifying that our successes and financial strength continue, which allow us to expand our services to these two communities, said David Schulz, president and CEO of HAPO Community Credit Union. Our move into Hermiston is especially exciting for us as we grow beyond the borders of Washington state.

HAPO has 11 sites in Washington state and serves about 90,000 members.

Credit unions are financial institutions formed by an organized group of people with a common bond. Members pool their assets to provide loans and other financial services to each other.

HAPO was organized in 1953 by a group of non-exempt workers at the Hanford nuclear site.

Geographically, these two new financial centers will complement the full range of financial services we offer, said Anderson. We are getting great feedback from area residents looking forward to us coming to town.

Eva Swain, former owner of the Harley Swain Subaru property, said she bought what once was the First Interstate Bank property in about 1989. It included about an acre.

Theyre going to start working there about May 15, Swain said. Were going to develop the lot north of the Subaru store. Its a little bit bigger than the corner lot.