Set to complete its sixth merger of small credit unions in 2011,Milwaukee's Landmark CU reaffirmed its commitment Wednesday toexpand in new markets and “where there is a fit” it would opt forthe merger route.

Its latest consolidation bid, subject to Dec. 13 memberapproval, involves the $26 million Horizon CU of Racine. Earlier the $1.7 billion Landmark, headquartered in New Berlin, aMilwaukee suburb, won approval to merge the $22 millionCo-operative CU of Burlington and the $23 million American CU ofMilwaukee.

In the fall the CU received member and regulatory approval tomerge the $1 million Brownberry CU of Oconomowoc, Wis. And in Juneit merged the $2 million Western States Envelope CU of Butler,Wis.

“All of these credit unions are healthy and have chosen us aspartners based on various reasons,” explained Pat Ransom, vicepresident of marketing. The reasons have ranged frommanagement succession issues to a desire to broaden producttechnology, said Ransom.

The mergers are benefitting Landmark in providing new branchsites in key southern Wisconsin markets where Landmark lackscoverage.

To that end, Landmark may end up talking to other CUs in theregion particularly in “Kenosha, Walworth and Jefferson counties”regarding merger prospects, said Ransom.

Horizon has 3,700 members and is in an area of Racine “that isattractive to Landmark.”

The latest merger bids would give Landmark four new branchesbringing its statewide total to 23.

Once approved, the Horizon consolidation would also provideentry into northern Illinois counties where Horizon has members,said Ransom, stressing there are no current plans to expand in itsneighbor state.