BANKING/FINANCE

Do you look like Mae West or Groucho Marx? At least the way they did in 1938? Want to dance to 1930s music in 1930s attire? Want to examine a 1938 “woody” automobile?

The Orange County Federal Credit Union promises look-alike contests and all the period trappings at its celebration of both its 50th anniversary and the opening of its first branch office. The party is Thursday night at the new branch in El Toro.

For nearly half a century, the Santa Ana-based credit union served county employees and grew with county government. But in recent years, it has recruited members from such professional groups as the Orange County Medical Assn. and the Orange County Bar Assn.

The credit union needs offices outside of Santa Ana to serve its 40,000 members, said Judy McCartney, Orange County Federal’s president: “You used to be able to drive in from Westminster in 10 minutes, but now it takes half an hour.”

Besides opening the El Toro office, the credit union plans to open an office in Westminster in August and an office in Tustin in January, McCartney said.