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Triangle Credit Union Opens First In-Store Branch
IBT assists New Hampshire credit union in expanding its service

ATLANTA, Sept. 8, 2003
Triangle Credit Union announced that it opened its first in-store branch in a Nashua, New Hampshire BJ's Wholesale Club, a warehouse retailer that operates by selling high quality food and merchandise at everyday low prices. Triangle is the first credit union and the third financial institution overall to open a branch inside a BJ's store. The state chartered credit union with more than $212 million in assets established an in-store presence with IBT's assistance in order to complement the service that it offers members through its three brick and mortar locations. IBT is the nation's largest specialty retail branch and performance consulting company.

"When we initially began exploring the idea of opening an in-store branch, we decided on a modest branch expansion plan and wanted to be very strategic as to where we located the facility," Mark Warner, executive vice president of Triangle Credit Union, said. "BJ's is an ideal branch location for us because it is located in South Nashua, and many of our members live in that area of town. We also found BJ's philosophy to be very similar to our membership focus."

The in-store office is a full service branch facility including two teller stations, two member service stations and a private office for loan closings and meetings. With a minimum of three employees at all times, the branch offers extended hours including evenings and weekends.

IBT consultants were involved with every phase of the branch development process including the design, construction, staffing, operations assistance and marketing planning. IBT also provided in-aisle training, a two-day course that teaches the art of speaking with shoppers in the aisles of a supermarket.

"In-aisle training is a nice supplement to the type of customer service initiatives we are putting in place credit union wide," Warner said. "The training was helpful in teaching us how to reach out to our members in an in-store environment. The in-store branch differs from our traditional brick and mortar locations because at BJ's the entire warehouse is our lobby. Having space beyond the branch to approach people is new to us. It gives us the opportunity to go out and talk to people."

"With this new in-store branch, Triangle will better serve current members, while reaching new members on a daily basis," John Nicola, senior vice president of IBT, said. "In-store branching will allow Triangle to continue growing and expanding within the community."

About Triangle Credit Union
Based in Nashua, N.H., Triangle Credit Union is a state chartered credit union founded in 1939 with more than $212 million in assets. Triangle 's member base includes employees of Select Employee Groups (SEGs) located throughout Nashua/Manchester and surrounding communities in N.H. as well as the four northern counties in Mass. For additional information visit the credit union's Web site at www.trianglecu.org.

About BJ's
Headquartered in Natick, Massachusetts, BJ's Wholesale Club, Inc. is a leading operator of warehouse clubs in the eastern United States, with 145 clubs in the chain. In 2002, net sales rose to $5.7 billion and comparable club sales increased by 2.0%. BJ's common stock is listed on the New York Exchange under the symbol "BJ". For more information, visit http://www.bjs.com.