Credit Union Groups Approve Merger Effective 2027
Members of The League of Credit Unions & Affiliates and the MD|DC Credit Union Association approved combining their organizations.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Unions
Members of The League of Credit Unions & Affiliates and the MD|DC Credit Union Association voted to approve a merger of the two organizations. The combined association represents 458 credit unions with $528.4 billion in assets and 36.2 million members.
Why it matters
The merger creates a larger association representing credit unions across Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia. Consolidating two associations into one gives the combined group greater scale in representing credit unions nationally.
Members of both organizations approved the merger, which will combine 458 credit unions with 36.2 million members. The extraction does not disclose the vote count or the integration plan ahead of the January 1, 2027 effective date.
The players
John Bratsakis
Bratsakis will serve as CEO of The League of Credit Unions & Affiliates after the merger takes effect.
Samantha A.M. Beeler
Beeler will continue as president of The League's association following the merger.
Steve Willis
Willis will lead the LEVERAGE service corporation within the combined organization.
The details
John Bratsakis will serve as CEO of The League of Credit Unions & Affiliates, and Samantha A.M. Beeler will continue as president of the League's association. Steve Willis will lead the LEVERAGE service corporation, and the combined association includes both associations and their service corporations.
Timeline
July 2026: The organizations announced plans to combine.
November 3, 2026: Members approved the merger.
January 1, 2027: The merger takes effect.
Industry Dynamics
The merger reflects a pattern of credit union trade groups consolidating to pool resources and expand regional reach. Combining two associations under one umbrella gives the merged group a larger voice in dealing with policymakers and service providers.
Credit union members in the affected states will see their institution represented by a larger combined association beginning in 2027. The extraction does not indicate any change to individual member services or fees.
The takeaway
Consolidation among credit union associations can strengthen advocacy capacity while leaving member-facing services largely unchanged. Members should watch for announcements about leadership structure and service continuity as the January 2027 effective date approaches.
What happens next
The merger takes effect on January 1, 2027, when the combined organization begins operating under its new structure.
Further reading
For more on labor and membership organizations, see Unions.
Source note: This article includes information reported by CUToday.
