Ninety-four percent of about 200 member credit unions in Kansasand Missouri voted in favor Tuesday to merge in their stateassociations into the Heartland Credit Union Association effectiveJan. 1, 2016.

The consolidation of the Kansas Credit Union Association and the Missouri Credit UnionAssociation will mark the ninth league consolidation since2007.

Don Cohenour, president/CEO of the Missouri league and MarlaMarsh, president/CEO of the Kansas league, announced they willretire in 2016. They will remain in their positions, however, untiltheir successor is named for the new association that will be basedKansas City, Mo.

In December 2014, the boards of the twoorganizations announced they signed a letter of intent todevelop the framework for a proposed consolidation of theorganizations. The boards also appointed a Joint Collaboration TaskForce to create a vision and structure for the neworganization.

Both leagues conducted town hall meetings to review details ofthe proposed merger with member credit unions in both states.Kansas credit unions voted electronically and at a specialmembership meeting. Missouri credit unions voted electronically andat their annual meeting.

“This historic vote unites two strong organizations withcomparable philosophies and similar cultures,” Marsh said. “WhileHeartland Credit Union Association will create financialefficiencies and enhanced services opportunities for credit unions,state specific needs and local support will continue to be a highpriority for us.”

To ensure an advocacy presence, the Heartland Association willoperate branch offices in the capital cities of Topeka, Kan., andJefferson City, Mo. Additional offices will remain open in Wichita,Kan., and St. Louis.

“We are moving forward with combining operations, aligning staffand preparing for a new look,” Cohenour said. ”Thiscollaboration creates greater opportunities for sustainability,strength and success for more than 200 credit unions in Kansas andMissouri.”

Integration of both associations' products and services willoccur throughout the next six months. The merger also will combinethe for-profit companies of the association.

O'Rourke & Associates, a San Francisco-based executiverecruitment firm, is conducting the search for the new Heartlandleague CEO.