BURBANK, Calif. — Members are taking advantage of reductions,loan rate improvements, and deposit rate enhancements as a resultof a November merger, according to Partners Federal CreditUnion.

The November 2007 merger of the two credit unions created an$825 million credit union with nearly 100,000 members and 250employees. Partners FCU, which serves The Walt Disney Company,retained its name.

Original projections made prior to the merger identified nearly$3 million in annual givebacks to the combined membership through arange of fee reductions, loan rate improvements, and deposit rateenhancements, according to Partners. However, revised figures nowshow that the actual member giveback is projected to be nearly 17%greater than original estimates.

“Members of the combined credit union, whether they originallybelonged to Vista or Partners, are now seeing benefits resultingfrom the merger,” said Partners President/CEO John Janclaes. “Andwe're very pleased that member gains are surpassing originalexpectations.”

The increased values are one result of the merger, whose successPartners executives have attributed to many factors, including“significant pre-merger operational and systems planning andtesting.” The credit union held a “mock conversion day” wherenearly all of the credit union staff simulated a business day as amerged organization with several database conversion testsconducted in October to help ensure system integrity.

“The hard work and dedication of all our stakeholders–includingcast members, volunteers, The Walt Disney Company, and strategicpartners–paid off on merger day,” Janclaes said. “Their tirelessefforts, along with the dedication and loyalty of our members, ledto our success and our enhanced ability to make financial dreamscome true for Disney employees and their families.”

Partners has offices in Burbank and Anaheim, Calif., and Orlandoand Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

–[email protected]