Credit unions are continuing to acquire community banks, although at a slower pace than in 2024, when
The trend is a lightning rod for controversy in the banking industry, whose representatives argue that credit unions — due to their tax-exempt status — have an unfair advantage in the M&A market. But advocates of these deals note that the banks are willing sellers, and that these acquisitions happen only because banks can’t find other banks to merge with in their markets.
Mergers this year have
American Banker is tracking these deals as they happen and will update this list as more are announced. Asset sizes and other details reflect the date of each acquisition’s announcement.
1. Frontwave Credit Union-Community Valley Bank
Frontwave Credit Union in suburban San Diego aims to expand its footprint and business lines through the acquisition of neighboring Community Valley Bank.
The $1.4 billion-asset Frontwave plans to buy almost all of the assets and assume substantially all of the liabilities of Community Valley for cash consideration of $56.4 million. Community Valley, founded in 2007, operates five branches in Southern California — one each in El Centro, Brawley, Indio, Julian and Borrego Springs.
The deal is expected to close in the second half of this year.
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2. NuMark Credit Union-Lemont National Bank
NuMark Credit Union in Joliet, Illinois, intends to purchase Lemont National Bank, a neighboring Chicago-area institution. If the transaction closes, it will be NuMark’s second acquisition of a bank.
The $850 million-asset NuMark said the all-cash deal is expected to close in the second half of this year. Financial terms were not disclosed.
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3. Legacy Community Federal Credit Union-First Community Bank of Cullman
Birmingham, Alabama’s Legacy Community Federal Credit Union said in March that it planned to acquire First Community Bank of Cullman.
Legacy said the deal was approved by both institutions’ directors and is expected to close later this year.
The credit union said it has been serving communities for over 70 years, focusing on financial solutions that empower individuals and businesses. First Community Bank, which has been a staple in the Cullman area for over a century, shares similar values.
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4. Maps Credit Union-Lewis & Clark Bank
Marion and Polk Schools Credit Union, which does business as Maps Credit Union, has reached a deal to acquire Lewis & Clark Bank in Oregon City for an undisclosed amount.
The $1.4 billion-asset credit union based in Salem, Oregon, said the merger would allow Maps to enhance its commercial and small-business offerings and to add new branch locations. Lewis & Clark Bank, which has $342 million of assets, operates three offices, according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.’s website.
Maps expects the transaction to close in or around the first quarter of 2026.
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5. MidFlorida Credit Union-Prime Meridian Bank
MidFlorida Credit Union is making its third bank acquisition in five years, this time buying Prime Meridian Bank of Tallahassee, Florida.
The addition of Prime Meridian will create a $9.5 billion-asset institution with more than 1,500 employees and 66 branches, the companies said. Financial terms of the deal weren’t announced.
The deal is expected to close next year.
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