ST. PAUL, Minn. (July 19, 2017) – Itasca State Park in north-central Minnesota is the headwaters of the Mississippi River, and now is home for two Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union ATMs to serve members and all others visiting the park and region.

Affinity Plus partnered with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to install the ATMs Wednesday in the Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center and the Mary Gibbs Mississippi Headwaters Center Gift Shop. The ATMs are cash-dispensing only, and all visitors may use the ATMs during the locations’ regular hours of operation.

Dave Larson, Affinity Plus President/CEO, said people might not immediately pair state park and credit union, “but it really is a natural fit. We have members across Minnesota who visit state parks, especially ones as beautiful and renowned as Itasca.”

In addition, all Minnesota state employees are eligible to be Affinity Plus members, Larson said.

“Affinity Plus has a decades-long history serving state employees across Minnesota, in locations near their workplaces,” he said. “So we’re pleased we can serve all visitors to Itasca State Park as well as state employees there and at the University of Minnesota Itasca Biological Station and Laboratories.”

Karen Hanisch, Itasca State Park accounting officer, said the ATMs are a good fit because the park is emphasizing self-service for visitors. That includes such things as self-registration camping, park permits and firewood purchases.

“We’ve been asked many times if there is an ATM machine available in the park. We get visitors from all over the world and they’re used to that kind of convenience.” Hanisch said.

ATMS AVAILABLE FOR ALL

All of Affinity Plus’ 185,000 members will be able to review account information on screen and can access their funds surcharge-free. The two new ATMs add to the credit union’s network of cash-dispensing and deposit-taking ATMs across Minnesota. Members also have free access to more than 20,000 ATMs nationwide through MoneyPass, COOP and SUM ATM networks.

ABOUT AFFINITY PLUS

Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union is a not-for-profit, financial cooperative that puts people first above profits. Members of Affinity Plus receive maximum value through competitive rates, minimal fees, and unique, member-centric products and programs. Established in 1930 and based in St. Paul, Minn., Affinity Plus has 28 branches throughout the state and is owned by more than 185,000 members. Affinity Plus has over $1.9 billion in assets and $3.5 billion in assets under management. Additional information is available at affinityplus.org or by calling (800) 322-7228.

NEWS PHOTO

Affinity Plus partnered with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to install two ATMs Wednesday at the popular northern-Minnesota state park. Pictured is the ATM located in the Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center. The other is in the Mary Gibbs Mississippi Headwaters Center Gift Shop. The ATMs are cash-dispensing only, and all visitors may use the ATMs during the location’ regular hours of operation.