Nusenda Upgrades Uptown Site with a Modern Hub

New Mexico’s biggest credit union is trading its older Uptown branch for a sleek, six-lane drive-thru and a bigger parking lot. The new two-story building, sitting on what used to be a movie theater parking area, will open in early 2027. Instead of walking into a teller line, customers will roll up to screens where real employees on camera can process transactions, deposit checks, and hand out cash—four lanes for that, plus two extra for ATMs. The switch became necessary because the old 1960s concrete building was too costly to renovate. During the planning phase, a developer showed up with interest in buying the land. A $120 million mixed-use project called Uptown Connect, led by the city bus system, will eventually rise where the existing branch stands today. So the credit union struck a deal to sell the property and start fresh.Staff from the soon-to-close Indian School branch will move next door when the new doors open. The upgraded site also has extra land; future plans could include office space for back-office teams. Right now, Nusenda is racing to finish at least the drive-thru by summer so customers keep fast access during nearby construction. With nearly $5 billion in assets and more than 290, 000 customers across New Mexico and West Texas, the credit union is doubling down on local presence. Recent moves include naming rights at UNM’s basketball arena and a new branch inside NMSU’s student center, showing how communities drive its growth strategy.