OLD TOWN, Maine – Maine Savings, one of Maine’s largest credit unions, celebrates its new College Avenue branch in Old Town with a week of events, including a press conference and ribbon cutting. During the press conference, John Reed, president and CEO of Maine Savings, announced its partnership with the University of Maine Athletics Department to offer the exclusive Black Bear Debit Card.
Each year of the five-year debit card agreement with the university, Maine Savings will contribute at least $10,000 to the Black Bear Fund, totaling a minimum of $50,000 for scholar athletes.
“Our new branch strengthens our relationship with the University of Maine community, and we are excited for the opportunity to support UMaine Athletics,”said Reed. “With a portion of each debit card swipe being donated to the Black Bear Fund, we hope to surpass the $10,000 minimum contribution each year. We also hope that this partnership will extend beyond our initial five-year agreement.”
Black Bear Sports Properties is responsible for securing and overseeing the Maine Savings’ partnership on behalf of UMaine Athletics.
“We are grateful for our partnership with Maine Savings and its enthusiastic commitment to helping our student athletes have the opportunity to succeed at our University,”said Karlton Creech, University of Maine Director of Athletics.
“I am pleased to congratulate Maine Savings Federal Credit Union and the University of Maine Athletics Department for joining together to establish a new and unique scholarship program that will help support countless student-athletes in the years to come,” Senator King said of the partnership. “Innovative partnerships like this will not only help give our students the opportunity to play hard on the field and study hard in the classroom, but also develop the skills and knowledge that will prepare them for success far beyond their time at UMaine. That, in and of itself, is truly invaluable.”
In addition to the debit card announcement, community members were able to tour the new College Avenue branch. The new branch embodies Maine Savings’mission to take a more personal approach to banking and provide a unique space for the community to gather, as well as continue to provide members with in-person service, modern conveniences and state-of-the-art technologies. The College Avenue branch also contains a study room, free coffee and WIFI.
“We don’t think of this branch as somewhere you go for a tedious transaction, but a place people really want to be,” added Reed.
Other highlights of the week-long events include meet and greets with UMaine coaches, as well as former University of Maine star and present Detroit Red Wings goaltender Jimmy Howard, who is also a Maine Savings member.
About Maine Savings:
Maine Savings is a modern financial institution with state-of-the-art technology offering members a full range of financial services, including RedWallet Checking. With more than 26,000 members, 10 branches and nearly 100 employees, Maine Savings is among Maine’s largest credit unions. Maine Savings is committed to providing in-person services paired with modern conveniences. Branches are located in Bangor, Bar Harbor (Jackson Laboratory), Brewer, Corinth, Ellsworth, Hampden, Milo, North Vassalboro and Old Town. Founded in 1961 by employees of the Bangor and Aroostook Railroad Company, Maine Savings continues to serve its membership as a federally insured not-for-profit credit union.
About Black Bear Sports Properties:
Black Bear Sports Properties is a property of Learfield Sports, which manages the multimedia rights for nearly 100 collegiate properties nationwide. In its 40 years, Learfield has developed trusted, long-term relationships with some of the most revered institutions and associations in the world of collegiate athletics. For more information about its history and collegiate portfolio, visit www.learfieldsports.com.