In separate deals, California and Michigan credit unionscompleted mergers on the same day- Oct. 4.

In California, the $364 million First City Credit Union of LosAngeles finalized the merger of the $91 million Focus One CommunityCU of Monrovia.

And in suburban Detroit, the $434 million Community Choice ofFarmington Hills completed the merger of the ailing $4 millionKelly FCU of Troy following NCUA and Michigan regulatoryapproval.

Regarding the First City deal, the Los Angeles CU said in aformal statement that the consolidation would create a CU with55,000 members, 9 branches and 17 proprietary ATMs throughout LosAngeles County.

The surviving CU, retaining the First City name, “will havereserves that stand at over 11%, a measurement of strength that iswell above national averages and significantly above regulatoryrequirements.”

First City President Terry O'Steen will continue as CEO of thecombined CU headquartered in downtown Los Angeles.

Both credit unions were founded in the 1930s to serve LosAngeles County employees. Focus One serves Los Angeles County/USCMedical Center. First City serves the LA County Sheriff'sDepartment, the Depart-ment of Children and Family Services, theDepartment of Public Social Services, and several other countydepartments. Both credit unions, said a release, also serve othercompanies and organizations, and are open to communities throughoutthe area.

“As two L.A. County employee credit unions, we are well matchedin terms of values and cultures,” said O'Steen. “The folks at FocusOne called this a 'perfect fit,' and we feel the same.” First Citysaid it expects it will “take a few months to complete theconversion of the Focus One data processing system to FirstCity's.”

In Michigan, Community Choice said it had been approachedearlier this year from the board and management of the ailing KellyFCU about a consolidation based on the need to broaden its productand service base. Kelly has been serving a member base for KellyServices, the temporary help agency. It sought out a merger partnerafter the sponsor firm began dispersing some of its operations outof its suburban Detroit site, officials said.

“It's a win-win for us and we believe it will be an advantagefor the members of Kelly,” said Robert Bava, president/CEO ofCommunity Choice. Community Choice, chartered in 1935 and witheight branches, serves members in Genesee, Lapeer, Livingston,Macomb, Oakland, St. Clair, Washtenaw and Wayne Counties.

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