South Portland, ME (March 31, 2026) |
Atlantic Federal Credit Union has been awarded Best in Category for Retail Display and Merchandising at the prestigious America's Credit Unions Diamond Awards for its Scarborough Branch which was designed and built by La Macchia Group. The honor represents the highest recognition within the category and celebrates outstanding creative execution and measurable impact in credit union marketing.
America’s Credit Unions Marketing, PR & Development Council announced the winners of this year’s Diamond Awards, recognizing the most effective and innovative marketing campaigns across the credit union industry. Nearly 1,500 submissions were made by over 181 credit unions across 8 categories.
The award-winning submission highlighted Atlantic Federal Credit Union’s ground-up branch in Scarborough, Maine, a project designed and built by La Macchia Group to extend the credit union’s brand presence while enhancing accessibility for members. Serving a growing market just South of Portland, the new location mirrors the success of an existing branch, reinforcing brand consistency while introducing a forward-thinking member experience.
Atlantic Federal Credit Union, Chief Experience Officer, Chris McGorrill noted, “A retail branch serves many needs, and when it’s done right, its look and feel also become a powerful advertisement for the brand. The La Macchia Group’s creative excellence ensured this branch was done right.”
The Scarborough branch leverages its environment as a primary communication channel, using design elements such as LED coastal imagery, flexible teller pods, and ITM drive-up technology to create an experience that is both familiar and innovative. The result is a space that strengthens trust, improves operational efficiency, and reflects Atlantic’s commitment to meeting evolving member expectations.
“This project demonstrates the power of the physical branch as a strategic growth tool,” said Ben La Macchia, Senior Vice President at La Macchia Group. “Atlantic’s Scarborough location proves that when design, technology, and brand storytelling are aligned, the branch becomes more than a place to transact, it becomes a meaningful extension of the credit union’s identity.”