The $3 billion Mountain America Federal Credit Union of SaltLake City is once again expanding its Idaho footprint by mergingthe two-branch, $15.3 million Pocahy Family FCU of Pocatello.

Mountain America last December opened its first two Idaho branches at Chubbuck and Idaho Falls andexpects to add a third midyear in Boise following its purchase of aformer branch of Home Federal Bank.

Pocahy Family approached Mountain America about a merger in late2011 after it determined the competitive environment was toochallenging, Mountain America said.

“We've done well with our Idaho expansion and in doing so wesought to better serve these 2,500 members in southeast Idaho,”said Sterling Nielsen, president/CEO. The merger becomes effectiveApril 1 and once the conversion is complete in mid-May, Mountain America will have 71 branches in five states.

There are no current plans to explore other Idaho mergers butNielsen said his credit union will remain open toopportunities.

Nielsen said it is no secret that a number of smaller CUs in theregion have found the CU landscape challenging. Pocahy Family lost$370,000 in 2011 and $161,000 in 2010.