WATERLOO, Iowa – There's a name change in the winds for JohnDeere Community Credit Union by the end of 2005. The move wassparked by a Deere & Company request that the $858 millioncredit change its name to avoid trademark confusion. Also impactedby the name change request are East Moline, Illinois-based DeereHarvester CU and Ottumwa, Iowa-based Deere Community Federated CU.Though the credit unions have always operated independently ofDeere, the company asked for the change since use of the trademarkname, in whole or in part, may imply incorrectly to some that thecredit unions are directly affiliated with or a subsidiary of Deere& Company. All three credit unions have until the end of 2007to complete the name change. The relationship with John Deereemployees and their respective communities will continueuninterrupted with no change in the quality of service provided bythe credit unions. “Deere & Company continues to value thegreat services provided by the credit union to employees and toothers in the community, and Deere will work cooperatively with thecredit unions to assure a smooth name transition,” said Curtis G.Linke, vice president of corporate communications at Deere &Company. “I wish to emphasize that the credit unions have donenothing wrong to bring this about. On the contrary, the creditunions have grown and become even more valuable to its members overthe years. Deere & Company recognizes this success and thequality of service, but simply needs to clarify the relationshipwith the company.” According to Linke, only Moline, Illinois-basedDeere & Company CU will be permitted to retain some referenceto Deere, because it has not expanded its field of membership andis focused solely on John Deere employees.