Case Study: Guiding a Seamless Credit Union Merger

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Overview

In a strategic move to strengthen their market position and better serve their members, two small, equally sized credit unions in the Midwest embarked on a merger. Recognizing the complexity and sensitivity of such an undertaking, they engaged Spayside Consulting LLC to guide the process from inception to completion.

Merging two financial institutions involves more than combining assets—it requires aligning cultures, systems, governance, and member experiences. 

The credit unions faced:

• Sensitive board-level discussions
• Regulatory hurdles and complex applications
• Organizational restructuring
• Vendor negotiations
• Core system integration
• A seamless transition for members

Spayside Consulting provided end-to-end project leadership, acting as a neutral third party to foster collaboration and maintain momentum. Their approach included:

• Strategic Planning: Mapping out the entire merger timeline, milestones, and deliverables.
• Governance Support: Facilitating deep discussions with both boards to align on vision and strategy.
• Regulatory Navigation: Managing the complex application process with governing bodies.
• Organizational Design: Developing org charts, defining roles and responsibilities, and aligning processes and procedures.
• Vendor Coordination: Leading contractual and functional meetings to ensure vendor alignment.
• Systems Integration: Overseeing the merger of core systems and data to support a unified member experience.
• Execution Management: Keeping the project on track, focused on milestones, and aligned with the strategic vision.

With Spayside Consulting’s guidance, the credit unions successfully merged into a single, stronger entity. The transition was smooth, with minimal disruption to members and staff. The new credit union launched with a unified brand, integrated systems, and a shared commitment to growth and service excellence.

Contact Spayside Consulting LLC to help your financial institution thrive.