Colorado Springs Credit Union takes new name

Colorado Springs Business Journal, May 20, 2009 by Rebecca Tonn

Colorado Springs Credit Union has changed its name to Aventa Credit Union.

Don't run for Webster's or dictionary.com. The name is made up - and meant to reflect the local friendly culture, credit union officials say.

The credit union was established in 1957 as the Colorado Springs Employees Credit Union to serve utilities employees, but when membership criteria was expanded to include non-city employees, it was rebranded as Colorado Springs Credit Union.

Now, nearly 40 percent of its 16,000 members live outside Coloraodo Springs, so it was time for another new name.

The board of directors wanted a name that would be "inclusive and welcoming to the people and communities up and down the front range," said Sarah Ryals, chief marketing officer.

"The metropolis has expanded and incorporated more people," she said. "And we have members north of Monument, as far south as Alamosa, and certainly a lot in Pueblo and Woodland Park."

Signage has already been changed at the 3010 E. Willamette Place and 2735 Dublin Blvd. branches. The downtown branch, at 426 S. Cascade Ave., will be updated in a few weeks.

"We like the free-flowing and open nature of the word Aventa," Ryals said. "And we can create the brand behind the name."

Visit Aventa at www.aventa.com.