SAULT STE. MARIE –Chippewa County Credit Union and Federal Employees of Chippewa County Credit Union has announced a proposed merger with U.P. State Credit Union.

Based in Escanaba, U.P. State Credit Union has branch offices in Norway, St. Ignace and Cedarville.

The merger is pending regulatory approval, final due diligence and an affirmative vote from their membership.

While both Sault Ste. Marie-based credit unions are financially strong and healthy, it made sense to explore a strategic partnership with U.P. State Credit Union to provide more value in products and services, expand community involvement, increase branch locations, and offer greater employee career growth opportunities, training resources, and a competitive employee benefits package, according to a news release from CCCU and FECCCU.

Chippewa County Credit Union has been managed by Connie Toensing for the past 25 years and Federal Employees of Chippewa County Credit Union has been managed by Sabrina Oshelski for the past 20 years. When looking for a merger partner, both Toensing and Oshelski emphasized the importance of finding one that wasn’t a corporate-run institution, allowing for local decision-making, they stated in the news release.

Toensing and Oshelski plan to continue their roles while working with U.P. State Credit Union’s leadership team, CEO Raymond Theoret and Darcy McLean, chief operating officer.

Once approved, a merger packet and ballot will be mailed to all members in good standing. A special meeting of CCCU and FECCCU membership also will be called to consider the merger plan and provide an open forum to address questions and comments from the members.