As November comes to an end, a dozen merger deals were announced or completed in 12 states.

Brian Quinn, assistant vice president for business services at the $857 million Franklin Mint Credit Union in Broomall, Pa., is the first to admit the system he's using to process member business loans is archaic and inefficient.

From the implementation of new rules that call for additional reporting requirements to risk-based capital worries, CUSOs had a tumultuous 2014. With advocates vowing to keep the pressure on in 2015 to ease regulatory scrutiny, credit unions are forging ahead with new alliances to stay competitive.