Amalgamated Bank Moves Into Las Vegas to Serve Union Members and All Workers

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Workers throughout Las Vegas now have
their own bank working for them.
Amalgamated Bank, America's Labor Bank, opened three retail branches in
Las Vegas on January 22, 2008. The Bank is providing services that are
designed to make it easier for members of Culinary Workers Union, Local 226
and Bartenders Local 165 as well as working men and women throughout the City
to manage their money. The Bank's new branches are in Food-4-Less(TM)
supermarkets located at 3250 East Flamingo Road and 4001 South Decatur
Boulevard in Las Vegas as well as 2255 North Las Vegas Boulevard in North Las
Vegas.
Amalgamated is building on its long partnership with the American Labor
Movement, which has deep roots in Las Vegas. Today, the Bank, founded in 1923
by the Amalgamated Clothing Workers union, is owned by UNITE HERE, which is
also the parent labor organization for the Culinary Workers and Bartenders
locals.
"Our expansion in Las Vegas continues Amalgamated's long tradition as the
Bank of choice for organized labor, its members and their families," said
Derrick Cephas, the Bank's President and Chief Executive Officer. "We are a
trusted partner with the expertise, resources and the operations to help
unions and workers in Nevada build a more secure financial future."
Amalgamated Bank, which has nearly $5 billion in assets, is focused on
meeting the banking needs of working people. Open seven days a week, branch
banking services include free checking with direct deposit and savings and
money market accounts. Also, the Bank will provide home mortgages as well as
personal, auto and consumer loans at competitive rates. The branches have an
experienced, local staff supervised by Antonio Calva, who is the area branch
manager. Mr. Calva, 32, has worked with the leading banks in Las Vegas for 13
years.
Union members can also access banking services at their workplace by
enrolling in Amalgamated's Group Advantage Banking (GAB) program. GAB combines
on-site banking with free financial literacy workshops that focus on smart
money management as well as the importance of savings and the wise credit use.
Classes for first-time homebuyers will also be offered. GAB provides workers
with many products and services that are useful alternatives to those
available at more costly checking cashing businesses.
"We are offering our members a new benefit -- banking services provided by
the partner who has actively served, supported and assisted union workers for
85 years," said D. Taylor, Secretary-Treasurer of Culinary Workers Union,
Local 226 and a member of UNITE HERE's Executive Committee. "Knowledgeable,
reliable and capable, Amalgamated can guide our members toward financial
freedom that includes building a path to home ownership, a secure retirement
and a better lifestyle."
Besides obtaining a full array of banking services at the three new
branches, Amalgamated Bank's customers can access their money 24-hours a day
at over 75 free ATMs in the Las Vegas area. The Bank is affiliated with the
Allpoint ATM Network, which has ATMs in pharmacies, major retailers,
convenience stores and many other locations around the City.
Opening the three branches in Las Vegas marks the start of Amalgamated
Bank's broad expansion in Nevada. By year's end, the Bank will also open a
full-service, free-standing location in the City's St. Louis Square.
About Amalgamated Bank
Established in New York City in 1923 by the Amalgamated Clothing Workers
of America, Amalgamated Bank is an FDIC insured commercial bank with $4.9
billion in assets. Amalgamated Bank is owned by the UNITE HERE union. The
website is www.amalgamatedbank.com.
About Culinary Workers Union, Local 226
Culinary Workers Union, Local 226 is one of the fastest growing private
sector local unions in the United States. Membership has climbed from 18,000
union workers in 1987 to approximately 60,000 members today. Culinary Workers
local represents more members than any other union in Nevada. The website is
www.culinaryunion226.org.
SOURCE Amalgamated Bank

Bob Rinklin, Essential Communications for Amalgamated Bank, +1-973-509-3431,
+1-973-768-2425, rinklin@comcast.net