Members of credit unions in the Southern Interior of B.C. will vote on whether to merge.

Osoyoos Credit Union, Summerland Credit Union and Revelstoke Credit Union have received consent from the BC Financial Services Authority.

The three credit unions announced their intent to merge in June 2024. 

Now that regulator consent is in place, the proposed merger will be brought forward for member approval.

鈥淲e believe that merging will strengthen our ability to serve and support our members at every stage of life,鈥� said Alan Chell, chair of the Revelstoke Credit Union board. 

鈥淏y bringing our combined resources and expertise to the table, we鈥檙e confident that we can meet the challenges of today and seize the opportunities of tomorrow.鈥�

Lorrie Forde, chair of the Summerland Credit Union board, agrees.

鈥淥ur focus has always been on people," she said. "By coming together, we鈥檙e building a stronger foundation鈥攐ne that empowers our members, strengthens our communities, and sets us up for long-term success."

Members of the credit unions may vote from May 26 to June 2.

Information on the proposed merger is available online at www.yourfuturecu.ca and through virtual and in-person information sessions and in-branch open houses.

鈥淥ur members are at the heart of everything we do, and the decision to merge is no different,鈥� said Diana Thomas, chair of the Osoyoos Credit Union board. 

The three credit unions have been in place for more than 70 years. The Summerland Credit Union was formed in 1944 and has 7,200 members. The Osoyoos Credit Union was established in 1946 and has branches in Osoyoos, Keremeos, Rock Creek and Oliver. The Revelstoke Credit Union, meanwhile, was established in 1953 and serves more than 4,500 members in its region.