Brenna Morlan is the new mortgage and consumer loan officer at Southwest Federal Credit Union in Durango.

Now that First National Bank of Durango has become part of TBK Bank, based in Dallas, Southwest Federal is the only locally-based financial institution left in the area, and the only credit union serving La Plata, Dolores, Montezuma, San Juan and Archuleta counties.

Morlan is a trustee on the Bayfield Town Board, president of the Bayfield Chamber of Commerce, and a member of Pine River Centennial Rotary. She said working at a credit union fits in with her community-centered business philosophy.

"We make products that help people, and we get to help people who need it," she said, noting that as a non-profit, the money earned by the credit union is returned to its members, not passed on to shareholders.

Membership is available to anyone who works or lives in the five-county area and requires a minimum $50 to open a savings account.

Morlan is the credit union loan officer and also handles the underwriting and documents for her loans.

Southwest Federal recently celebrated its 60th anniversary.

Most credit unions participate in shared branching, an affiliation of facilities that allows clients to use ATMs and other services at other credit unions around the country, Morlan explained, which provides convenience for customers when they're on the road.