The village's 75-year-old YS Federal Credit Union will merge with Bridge Credit Union — a decision made by YSCU's 2,000 members. (Photo by Reilly Dixon)
YS Federal Credit Union members approve merger
- Published: December 24, 2023
On Thursday, Dec. 14, the YS Federal Credit Union, or YSCU, tallied final votes from member-owners that would determine if the longtime local credit union would merge with central-Ohio-based Bridge Credit Union — and member-owners overwhelmingly voted “yes.”
“We are excited to report that members approved the strategic partnership merger with Bridge Credit Union with 87% of voters approving,” YSCU CEO Sandy Hollenberg told the News via email this week.
The merger vote was announced and initiated in November. As the News reported that month, the move to merge with Bridge was proposed by YSCU’s board as a measure to help shore up services at the 75-year-old local institution, which has experienced difficulties with staffing and hours in recent months.
The merger, Hollenberg said in November, would be a “win-win-win,” as both institutions would pool resources to offer expanded services to member-owners.
Hollenberg told the News this week that the merger is expected to take full effect Feb. 1, 2024.
“More information and details will be following in the weeks to come,” she said.
YSCU members can expect a few changes following the merger, according to a “frequently asked questions” document available on the credit union’s website — beginning with the institution’s name. Moving forward after the merger is completed, the credit union will be known as Yellow Springs CU, A Division of Bridge Credit Union.
Members will be issued new account numbers and a new routing number for the institution, and will likely need to update those numbers with any companies via which they are enrolled in automatic bill payment. Expanded ATM services will also roll out, and a rewards program will be instituted beginning in March 2024.
Members should also expect a service interruption beginning Jan. 31, 2024. The YSCU office will close at noon that day, reopening at normal hours the following morning. In the interim hours between closing and reopening, debit and credit card transactions should function normally, according to the document, but service delays are expected for online banking, the mobile app and virtual services.
Most YSCU services won’t change, however; members won’t need to order new checks or receive new debit or credit cards. Direct deposits, loan payments and certificate accounts won’t be affected by the merger.
Members can also likely expect to see familiar staff following the merger. According to the FAQ document: “All YS Federal Credit Union employees were offered the opportunity to become Bridge Credit Union employees. You will still see the same friendly faces.”
For more information on the merger, go to http://www.bridgecu.org/mergerinfo.
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