TULSA, Okla. — To hear Oklahoma credit union executives tell it, the proposed plan by the Texas Credit Union League to provide a host of services to its Oklahoma counterpart is either clever strategy–very good for the industry–or another example of a power grab by its big state neighbor with its giant killer reputation.

"I guess the concern in something like this is, Will there really be improved service as a result of what looks like a merger?" asked Robert Howard, a director of the $85 million Cherokee Strip CU of Ponca City. "We really don't know the answer to that, but it could be much better for all of us though there can be a loss of control in this kind of situation."

Howard said he was reluctant to call the service package a merger, but the worry remains, "Will we have a say in what occurs or will we be told what to do?"