Credit union mergers are certain to become "more pre-emptive and complex" and require greater competency by CU management, according to a new Filene Research Institute study. In the past merging was straightforward, with large healthy CUs merging smaller peers, the report on the study said. But the environment has changed so that target acquirers may now seek out partners well before trouble appears on the balance sheet, concluded the study. The report cited the current recession and changes in the regulatory climate for the trend toward more mergers and the ability of CEOs to handle the process now and in the future. The pace and types of CU consolidation will increase, creating "a more intense internal environment, " the report said. –[email protected]