The $52 million Dodge Central Credit Union in Beaver Dam, Wis.,plans to merge with the $2 billion Landmark Credit Union in NewBerlin, Wis.

The credit unions said their two boards have approved the mergerand that it now awaits regulatory approval and vote by DodgeCentral members. They plan a Dec. 31 target date for the mergerwith the merging of Dodge Central's member accounts into Landmark'scomputer system in the spring or summer of 2013.

“We are very happy to welcome Dodge Central's 9,750 members and33 employees to the Landmark family,” said Jay Magulski,president. “This merger allows us to strategically expand ourbranch locations and better serve all members in the area.”

In October, Landmark filed applications to buy the $190 million HartfordSavings Bank in Hartford, Wis., following a series of acquisitionof small credit unions by merger in 2011.

Landmark said the Dodge Central merger adds locations in BeaverDam, Juneau, Mayville and Fall River and widens Landmark's charterto include Columbia, Marquette and Fond du Lac counties. DodgeCentral CU also has an in-school branch at Beaver Dam HighSchool.

Barbara Campbell, Dodge Central president/CEO, will join the196,000-member Landmark as a regional president and continue towork from the Beaver Dam location, the credit unions said.

“It is rewarding to be able to offer our Dodge Central membersan expanded list of products, services and locations that Landmarkbrings,” Campbell said.

Landmark said it currently has 489 employees at 25 locationsthroughout southeastern Wisconsin.