Quest is the new name for the merger of two Topeka, Kan. credit unions, Credit Union 1 and Credit Unions United, which have now combined to form the state's fifth largest at $225 million, it was announced Monday.
In picking the name, management said it sought out a brand that reflects "a name that would bond the two organizations together and speak to their shared pursuit of excellent member and product service."
In an unusual twist, Quest is operating with co-presidents/CEOs, Gary Colcher and Vickie Hurt.
According to a management statement, the new name encourages members-and staff-to "discover the possibilities."
"We did a lot of research-surveys, community focus groups, staff interviews and we also set up a name suggestion box for members and employees," said Hurt. "What we discovered is that everyone associated with our credit unions wants us to stay focused on the qualities that have made us successful."
Hurt stressed that the two CUs are healthy, well-capitalized credit unions with strong membership bases, so the consolidation wasn't required.
The two CUs had received regulatory approval to combine in October 2009 and put it to a membership vote in early November. Quest CU will be serving members throughout a combined field of membership, reaching from Topeka to communities in eastern Kansas. In addition to three Topeka branches and two Topeka service centers the Quest has locations in Fort Riley, Pittsburg and Shawnee.
