Colorado Springs Financial Briefs: August 17, 2007

Ent Federal Credit Union will celebrate the grand opening of its Jackson Creek Service Center, 16050 Old Forest Point, from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 18.

The 4,000 square-foot service center was designed by architects Keys and Associates and has three drive-through lanes, 24/7 ATMs with cash and check imaging capabilities, and biometric accessed safe deposit boxes.

Tanan Miles will manage the branch.

Bank expands check cashing

KeyBank has expanded its check cashing program, called KeyBank Plus, to all its 34 Colorado branches, including the five branches in Colorado Springs.

The program, which was launched in February 2004, allows anyone to cash payroll and government checks.

KeyBank's rate for cashing checks is 1 percent, with a $25 cap. Individuals also can purchase money orders at a discounted rate.

International scam

The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions of Canada has issued a warning about fake letters reflecting the name Banco Central del Ecuador.

The "guarantees" or "proof of funds" letters are circulating in international financial markets.

For more information, contact the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade at (613) 944-2071 or (613) 992- 6292.

ABA conference in October

The American Bankers Association and the American Bar Association Criminal Justice Section will host their 20th annual Money Laundering Enforcement Conference Oct. 21-23 at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C.

For more information, visit www.aba.com.

'Bama bound!

I'd like to take this opportunity to say goodbye to Colorado Springs. I am moving to Tuscaloosa, Ala., at the end of the month for my husband's career.

I didn't know a soul when I moved to Colorado Springs three years ago. Since then I have been fortunate enough to meet some wonderful people through my careers at the Colorado Springs Business Journal and The Gazette. There are so many people in this city who are dedicating their lives to make life a little better in the Pikes Peak region.

The staffs of the Chamber of Commerce, the Economic Development Corp., Experience Colorado Springs at Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods, Rock Ledge Ranch, the Pioneers Museum, the Colorado Springs Airport, the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs and the El Pomar Foundation are just some of the people who work tirelessly behind the scenes to do what they can to make this city great. Thank you.

Thank you to all the journalists in this town who are committed to the truth and who serve this community through their talent of writing.

I would also like to say thank you to the military community of this town. I feel honored to have been associated with such a fine group of men and women. Thank you to the active duty soldiers and airmen who have and will continue to make sacrifices for this country. Thank you also to the military families -- you truly are the unsung heroes.

The community of Colorado Springs has become my family. When my husband, Tim, was deployed to Iraq, you gave me the support I needed to get through that arduous year. For that, I am forever grateful.

Sarah Colwell covers banking and finance for the Colorado Springs Business Journal.

Copyright 2007 Dolan Media Newswires
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