The region’s favorite credit union has announced plans Thursday to open a new branch location with a view of Coeur d’Alene’s McEuen Park. Remodeling is scheduled to begin this summer at 401 Front Avenue, Suite 100, in downtown Coeur d’Alene. STCU is leasing the former Bank of America branch from Blackridge Properties, with Nystrom Olson Architects handling design work. The STCU Downtown Coeur d’Alene Branch is slated to open in late 2016 or early 2017. “STCU is excited to offer a convenient downtown branch location for members who live or visit Coeur d’Alene,” said Tom Johnson, STCU president and CEO. “It may be the only STCU branch location where you can walk out the door and watch osprey constructing a nest.”

At 3,600 square feet, the new branch will be similar in size to the STCU Crossroads Branch in Coeur d’Alene, which opened in 2015. The Downtown Coeur d’Alene Branch, with a drive-through and ATM, will have a staff of five to seven. STCU currently has 18 branch locations, including 14 in Washington and four in North Idaho. That will grow to 19 branch locations in August, when the STCU Qualchan Branch is scheduled to open in Spokane’s Latah Valley. The Downtown Coeur d’Alene Branch will be STCU’s 20th location.