LA GRANDE, Ore.—The $30-million Union Wallowa Baker FCU here has announced plans to merge into $130-million Old West Federal Credit Union, based in John Day, Ore.
“Both credit unions share a common heritage and great reputations,” Ken Olson, president and CEO of Old West, told My Eastern Oregon. “I was impressed by Union Wallowa Baker board’s commitment to their members and employees. I’m humbled that they would choose Old West as a potential merger partner.”
In 2015, Olson, who is also a reserve patrol deputy with the Grant County Sheriff’s office, shared a first-person account of dealing with local wildfires with CUToday.info here.
Carol Kroll, board chair of Union Wallowa Baker, told the newspaper that seeking a credit union that would allow for continued local ownership, local accountability and one that would honor their credit union’s commitment to personal member service was paramount in its decision.
“Being able to offer the products and services that members want while maintaining a local, personalized presence is an expensive proposition for any credit union,” said Kroll, “and combining our assets with Old West will help ensure that a local, accountable cooperative is here to serve our members. I know that Mike Howton, Trudy Hendon and the rest of our staff are looking forward to continuing our personal service combined with even greater possibilities this merger will bring.”
Pending regulatory and member approval, the merger could be finalized as early as the end of the year, the publication reported.