BUSINESS
Sunward to open Uptown Albuquerque branch
Company attracted to area that is 鈥榞rowing fast,鈥� and eyeing a fall opening
Albuquerque-based Sunward Federal Credit Union is continuing its expansion, announcing plans to open a new branch in Uptown this fall.
The 3,356-square-foot branch at 2201 Louisiana NE is expected to have a soft opening in November, with a grand opening to follow before the end of the year. It will be Sunward鈥檚 14th branch in the Albuquerque metro area and 18th overall, with locations also in northwest New Mexico, California and Colorado.
鈥淯ptown is in the heart of Albuquerque鈥檚 modern shopping and business district and an area that鈥檚 growing fast,鈥� said Ann Baur, the credit union鈥檚 senior vice president of retail experience. 鈥淲e want to be a part of that growth.鈥�
The Uptown location joins a South Valley branch that opened late last year and a West Side location, currently under construction, set to open in September.
The credit union, one of New Mexico鈥檚 largest, rebranded in 2024 from Sandia Laboratory Federal Credit Union. Early last year, the credit union also acquired the Albuquerque branches of Utah-based Mountain America Credit Union. It also expanded into Durango, Colorado, in 2025.
The expansion into Uptown should come as no surprise. It is one of the city鈥檚 bustling business hubs, anchored by both retail offerings and a vibrant office market spanning some 1.8 million square feet, from the commercial real estate organization Colliers.
That has also led others to find new ways to grow in the area. In April, Nusenda Credit Union announced plans to break ground on a 6,400-square-foot branch at 6401 Uptown NE, moving from its longtime location in the area just two minutes away.
The Uptown location will include an open rotunda-style entrance, credit union officials said. The new branch, in a shopping center near Total Wine, will also offer four service areas where branch staff can assist members in private spaces similar to its South Valley location.
鈥淭hose spaces were designed based on member requests for more privacy when having financial conversations,鈥� Baur said. 鈥淭hese are far different than teller lines, where members are often standing shoulder-to-shoulder with others while sharing what can be sensitive or personal financial information.鈥�
In a statement, Doug Smith, the branch manager of the soon-to-open location, said the branch will offer a 鈥渇resh, vibrant full-service banking experience鈥� for members.
鈥淚鈥檓 proud to lead a team that鈥檚 dedicated to improving the financial lives of our members and engaging the entire Uptown community,鈥� Smith said.
Matthew Narvaiz is the Journal鈥檚 business editor. You can reach him at mnarvaiz@abqjournal.com.
