Two Michigan credit unions, Members First and Central MichiganCommunity, now set to complete a merger June 1, said Monday theyhad a positive experience in getting a five-to-one favorable membervote at Central Michigan, the targeted CU.

The larger of the two, the $191 million Members First of Midlandcalled the outcome at the $110 million Central Michigan of nearbyClare “a record-breaking membership vote” based on similar mergerballoting at CUs elsewhere in Michigan.

More than 2,500 ballots were cast out of 15,000members.

“Yes, we're very pleased that so many Central Michigan memberscare enough about their credit union to cast ballots,” said CarrieIafrate, vice president of development at Members First, notingthat other mergers “have had as few as 100 votes.”

Iafrate said Michigan lawyers and accountants working on theconsolidation had read or heard about unfavorable votes in CUmergers elsewhere.

Members rejected merger offers extended by the $432 million Horizon CUof Spokane Valley, Wash., for a CU in Montana and by the $260million Jefferson Financial of Metairie, La. bidding for a smallerCU in Baton Rouge.

“The voter turnout shows that our members understand that thispartnership will make both institutions stronger,” said WandaRawon, CEO of Central Michigan. “We are thrilled with theresponse.”

Under the merger deal approved by regulators, the combined CUwill have 30,000 members and 120 employees in eight branches.

“Our two credit unions are a perfect match to continue making apositive difference in the lives of our members and ourcommunities,” said Eric Brubaker, the CEO of Members First.