When members submit comments to the NCUA about proposed mergers, many seem to oppose them because the executive payouts promised after consolidation are questionably too high.
But one member recently broke from that pattern, arguing the payouts were questionably too low for certain employees at the $41.5 million Central Credit Union on Maryland in Baltimore, which officially merged with the $968 million Point Breeze Credit Union in Hunt Valley on April 1, creating the state's newest billion-dollar financial cooperative.
"I believe the figures do not accurately reflect the actual amounts owed, nor do they align with the caliber of services these employees (Skyi Tejada and Lynnette Harris) have and continue to provide!" Central member Lisa M. Adams wrote. "As a result, I request that a commensurate increase be considered that truly reflects the bank's appreciation of such dedicated employees, not the meager amounts that have been suggested in the merger."
Loan officer Tejada and branch manager Harris would each receive a retention bonus of up to $10,000 if they remain employed with Point Breeze 12 months after the merger's legal completion.
Adams requested that Central review the matter promptly and for the credit union to reach out to her at its earliest convenience to discuss next steps.
"Thank you for your attention to this matter," Adams wrote in her Jan. 5, 2026 letter. "I look forward to you resolving this issue prior to the close of balloting 1/27/2026."
When contacted by the CU Times, Adams said she did not receive a response from Central. While not surprised, she indicated the lack of response factored into her decision to vote against the merger.
"This was important enough for me to have written a response, it should have been equally as important as their voting request," she said.
Adams was the only Central member to file a comment letter with the NCUA regarding the consolidation, which ultimately received member approval.
She did not comment about the payouts of four executives.
Central President/CEO Lisa Jester will receive a $470,671 severance payment, according to the credit union's merger-related financial arrangements. That amount will be payable at $39,222 a month for 12 months after the merger's consummation.
COO Darlene Terry will receive a retention payment of about $60,000 and an additional retention bonus of up to $116,000 based on continued service of 12 months after the consolidation. Controller Tammie Deighan-Vincenti will get a retention bonus of up to $74,000, also based on continued service for 12 months following the merger.
After a planned system integration later this year, the combined credit union will operate under the Point Breeze brand with $1 billion in assets, six locations and more than 130 employees, and serve nearly 72,000 members. For now, nine employees at Central's branch will continue to operate as a division of Point Breeze.
"This merger is about strengthening the support we provide to our members by giving them greater access to branches, more convenient services and continued investment in the tools they rely on," Point Breeze President/CEO Tonia Niedzialkowski said in a statement announcing the completion of the merger. "Together, we're building a stronger credit union that will support members' needs today and well into the future."
Peter Strozniak can be reached at peter.strozniak@arc-network.com.
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