Not only are credit unions merging with increasing frequency, the leagues and associations that serve them are joining forces too.

In the most recent example, the League of Southeastern Credit Unions & Affiliates has announced its plans to combine with the Virginia Credit Union League.

In a press release Tuesday, the groups said the collaboration will create a more diverse and powerful network of state and federal lawmakers and regulators, increasing their ability to drive positive change.

If the deal is approved, the new organization would represent 386 credit unions and 31.5 million members across Virginia, Alabama, Georgia and Florida.

“The tried-and-tested advocacy process will continue to provide credit unions with clear control over state-level and local congressional delegation advocacy strategies. Together, the League and credit unions will deepen engagement and increase impact across the entire footprint,” the organizations said in a statement.

In terms of timing, the groups said only that the process is underway and that they will keep impacted credit unions apprised of key developments as the merger progresses.

The organization would be led by LSCU President Samantha A.M. Beeler, and the combined service corporation would be led by Steve Willis, president of Leverage, which encompasses 12 companies and more than 30 partnerships in the credit union industry.

Beeler and Willis were named in April as dual executive leaders of LSCU,

In December, Carrie Hunt announced she was leaving VACUL as its president and CEO to serve as chief advocacy officer for America’s Credit Unions. VACUL’s Chief Operating Officer Karima Freeman stepped into the top spot on an interim basis.

“With advocacy being at the core of our focus as an association and board, we believe this move to be in the best interest of credit unions as it will undoubtedly increase our advocacy impact and influence,” Jeff Bentley, VACUL board chair and president and CEO of Northwest Federal Credit Union, said in a statement.

The VACUL/LSCU merger is not the first among credit union trade groups.

In 2022, the Cornerstone League and the Heartland Credit Union Association announced plans to merge. That came on the heels of a merger between the Mountain West Credit Union Association and the Northwest Credit Union Association.

Even the national trade groups have partnered up recently.

The Credit Union National Association and the National Association of Federally-Insured Credit Unions combined in 2023 to form America’s Credit Unions.

“With advocacy being at the core of our focus as an association and board, we believe this move to be in the best interest of credit unions as it will undoubtedly increase our advocacy impact and influence.”

 – Jeff Bentley
Board Chair
VACUL