Bethpage FCU opens bilingual branch in Patchogue

Bethpage Federal Credit Union opened its 25th location, in Patchogue, this week, with a nine-member bilingual staff speaking Spanish as well as English, for the area’s Latino community.

Bank officials and local politicians are invited to a grand opening celebration Thursday at the new branch, which opened Monday at 270 E. Main St., in the village’s downtown.

The bank said it began specifically courting Latino consumers in 2008, creating a focus group of 35 political, community and business leaders to provide feedback over the next 18 months on marketing initiatives and loan products. Besides the new Patchogue branch, Bethpage specifically added locations in Roosevelt, Westbury and Central Islip to serve Latinos, a spokeswoman said.