Another credit union merger is in the works in Northeast Georgia. North Main Credit Union announced this week its intention to merge with Georgia United pending approval of North Main’s members.
If approved, North Main would operate under the name and charter of Georgia United Credit Union beginning July first. North Main members will vote on the plan June 29.
North Main’s Board of Directors approved the proposed merger earlier this year. The credit union says the move will strengthen its service and community impact in Habersham and Banks counties. North Main serves the employees of Fieldale Farms Corporations and Ethicon, Inc., as well as local residents. It previously operated under the name of Ethicon Credit Union and expanded into a community-wide credit union in 2017.
Merger prompted by CEO’s retirement
The idea for a merger developed after North Main’s CEO, Melany Ward, announced plans to retire this year. Ward spent her entire professional career working in the credit union industry and began leading North Main in 2015.
“With Melany’s unique perspective, years of experience, and determination to protect North Main’s members’ investment, the opportunity to seek a partner could not be ignored,” a news release states.
“We have been working with Georgia United to make sure that this merger is a good fit for members, team members, and our community,” says Ward. “Our members are our top priority, and by partnering with Georgia United, we are able to bring more innovative products and services to our members without sacrificing the service our members expect and deserve from a credit union.”
Both organizations’ values and cultures closely align, says Georgia United Credit Union President and CEO Debbie Smith.
“At Georgia United, we believe our members come first,” she says. “This will be a great fit for both our credit unions and the surrounding communities.”
Other credit unions in Northeast Georgia have merged in recent years.
Clarkesville’s Habersham Federal Credit Union merged with Gainesville-based HALLCO Credit Union in 2020. The next year, the newly-expanded HALLCO changed its name to MyGeorgia Credit Union and merged with Athens-based First Reliance Federal Credit Union.
Southeast Federal Credit Union in Cornelia merged with Peach State FCU in November 2017. Operating under the Peach State name, the credit union acquired DOCO Credit Union in Toccoa and, most recently, merged with credit unions in Pickens and Abbeville, South Carolina.
