Countryside Federal Credit Union Members Approve Merger with Northern Credit Union

The members of East Syracuse-based Countryside Federal Credit Union have agreed to merge with Watertown-based Northern Credit Union. The vote was a resounding affirmation, with Countryside members overwhelmingly approving the merger.

Ben Gasser, Countryside CEO/President, shared, “We are very excited by the support from Countryside membership. We know two successful credit unions will be stronger together.” Dan St. Hilaire, CEO/President of Northern Credit Union added, “We’re thrilled to welcome the membership and internal-owners of Countryside Federal Credit Union to the Northern family. We look forward to sharing the benefits banking with Northern provides and look forward to a bright future for our combined legacies.”

The merger and state conversion are slated for completion by September 1, 2022. From a member perspective, there will be minimal impact at the legal merger date. Both organizations will continue to serve their respective members as usual while we ramp up efforts to work on fully integrating in September 2023. Countryside will retain its name and operate as a Division of Northern Credit Union with both credit unions led by St. Hilaire. All locations will remain open and internal-owner employees will have secured roles as they move forward together. After the merger, the combined credit union will have a base of over 42,000 members and serve Clinton, Franklin, St. Lawrence, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, Onondaga and Oswego counties.

As always, members and employees of each Credit Union remain the top priority. Through this merger, both credit unions seek to continually improve services for the benefit of members and invite them to share their thoughts and ideas. When members choose to bank with a credit union, they are joining a cooperative owned by the people and have a stake and an equal voice in the future direction of their Credit Union.