Marking its third merger bid since May, the $545 million CreditUnion of Southern California is extending its Los Angeles areafootprint this week as it seeks to broaden member services.

CUSC of Brea said the planned addition of the $60 million,4,100-member North Orange County CU of Fullerton would bring CUSCassets to $670 million in 2012 after two other pending Californiamergers win final member and regulatory approval.

CUSC has now won regulatory clearance from the CaliforniaDepartment of Financial Institutions for the $40 million Inland Empire CU of Pomona and is awaiting approval on the $24million Family 1 CU of Placentia.

“Our partnership with all three healthy credit unions doesreflect a well thought-out plan that has not been taken lightly,”said Dave Gunderson, president/CEO, stressing the common servicecultures of the combined organization which would have 10 branchesand more than 50,000 members.

Gunderson said CU of Southern California has maintained anetworking relationship with all three CUs as merger discussionsbegan earlier in the year. The trio with overlapping field ofmembership had sought out the Brea CU based on the need to add newproducts and services.

Gunderson said there are no immediate plans to add more CUs“since we want to concentrate now on completing these three” stillsubject to final NCUA approval.