Civic Federal Credit Union Branches Out in North Carolina
The Scenario:
Following a divestiture from State Employees Credit Union (SECU), Civic Federal Credit Union (Civic FCU) and Local Government Federal Credit Union (LGFCU), faced a consequential challenge – to serve their members’ banking needs without the access to SECU’s branch network they previously had. Operating primarily as a digital-first brand, Civic Federal Credit Union met the moment with an ambitious goal of opening 11 branches across North Carolina within a year. Establishing a new independent presence, these branches would need to ensure uninterrupted service for members, establish a distinctive experience at the branch, and solidify the Civic brand statewide.
The Solution:
Leveraging a streamlined strategy, credit union leaders determined that LGFCU would operate under the Civic brand moving forward. Originally a digital-only credit union, Civic sought to maintain their tech-forward identity while introducing physical locations. The branching approach involves reimagining the branch experience to focus on member education, community engagement, and brand storytelling. Adrenaline teamed up with Civic to develop an experience strategy and prototype branch design that would serve as a blueprint for all subsequent locations. The design includes community focused areas, welcoming spaces to foster consultation and conversation, and customized and localized branded elements.
The Story:
Launching nearly a dozen branches in as many months required more than a strong, replicable design, the project demanded a shared vision, commitment to speed, and seamless implementation at scale.
Prior to partnering with Adrenaline, Civic had begun developing a plan for their physical presence that sought to redefine the branch experience while honoring the brand’s digital-first DNA.
When Adrenaline came on board, the company’s design team analyzed and built upon that original vision, developing a branch and experience strategy that would be an exemplar for the rapid implementation that followed. Success hinged on rapid deployment with the development of a scalable design system that allowed for efficient rollout on a tight timeline.
Adrenaline’s role involved close collaboration with Civic’s assembled team as a strategic partner ensuring design concepts could be successfully translated into the built environment. The process required consensus building among stakeholders to align the developed design strategies with Civic’s mission and member expectations.
Moving away from transaction-focused layouts, the approachable design replaces traditional teller lines and offices with more casual conversation zones that promote open dialogue between members and staff and deepen relationships.
Each location delivers a cohesive brand experience that reflects Civic’s commitment to serving North Carolina, while spotlighting localized elements that bring to life the unique character of each community. From digital signage and wall graphics to 3D brand displays and subtle moments of discovery, every design decision was made to help each branch tell a story rooted in the people and places it serves.
One standout example is the Murphy location, where Civic purchased a historic log cabin – a local treasure in this small mountain town. Rather than overhaul the building, the design team chose to honor its heritage, layering in modern brand elements with care while preserving the character of the cabin that made it beloved by the community. This thoughtful approach helped Civic earn trust in a market where the credit union had no prior branch presence.
Throughout the process, Adrenaline’s focus remained on building more than just physical branches. Each location tells Civic’s story as a mission-driven credit union serving members with innovation, empathy, and community connection. Every detail – from the flow of the spaces to the integration of brand elements – is all designed with intention to create environments that do more than meet functional needs. These spaces elevate the brand, making it accessible, approachable, and authentic.
Photography courtesy of Civic Federal Credit Union
