CRANSTON, R.I.– If Coastway Credit Union members approve its change to a state chartered mutual bank, sources familiar with the CU say that would cap Coastway's long standing policy of going its own way.

According to its filings with NCUA, Coastway does not belong to any CUSO's nor participate in shared branching. The $310 million credit union participates in the SUM network, an ATM network administered as part of the NYCE ATM network which provides surcharge free ATM access.

Rob Kimmett, senior vice president with the Credit Union Association of Rhode Island, reported that Coastway has not affiliated with the Association “in recent memory.”

As the first step in its charter change process, the CU has invited comments from members about its potential move. Members have until August 20 to comment to the CU and Coastway will have to include the comment letters with its conversion application, according to Michael Marques, Director of the Department of Business Regulation, Rhode Island's banking regulator.

If there are a number of letters opposing the move and the CU continues in its course, Marques said his Department has the authority to hold a public hearing to air issues around the conversion.