Merger network

Discover CUCollaborate’s Merger Network

Enabling Credit Unions to Thrive Through our Cooperative Approach to Strategic Mergers

CUCollaborate is a data and analytics CUSO dedicated to helping credit unions maximize growth, impact and performance. Our innovative Merger Network is designed to facilitate seamless, strategic mergers that benefit both acquirers and acquirees.

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Why Choose CUCollaborate’s Merger Network?

  • Robust Data-Driven Approach: We leverage extensive data analytics and our proprietary data consortium to analyze your credit union’s individual account-level data.  We then identify the best potential merger partners for you based on business models, product portfolios, field of membership, technology stack, and more, to ensure you find the perfect fit for your credit union.
  • Quantified Financial Benefit to Your Members: Each acquiree will receive our Merger Member Benefit Analysis, which quantifies how your members would be impacted by the financial products and pricing of each potential acquirer. It readily computes the impact across every individual loan and deposit account and evaluates credit policy fit with those of each potential acquirer across loan types and credit score ranges.
  • Diligence Upfront: Through our data-driven process, we uncover insights upfront that are typically not identified until the due diligence phase, providing a more efficient process for all parties involved.
  • Unmatched Visibility: Gain immediate access to a vast network of potential merger candidates, eliminating the need for slow-moving, laborious 1:1  conversations sourced solely within your network.
  • Objective and Unbiased Advice: Our process is transparent and competitive, providing you with clear, unbiased insights to make informed decisions.
  • Enhanced Merger Strategy: Receive feedback on missed deals to improve future merger strategies.
  • Anonymity: Maintain anonymity while actively participating in the network.

Merger Activity on the Rise

Merger activity within the credit union sector has been steadily increasing, driven by the need for economies of scale and the challenges of maintaining sustainable operations. The number of mergers has surged over the past decades, reflecting the dynamic nature of the industry and the strategic importance of mergers for growth and stability.

CUCollaborate’s Merger Network allows credit unions to be passively considered for mergers, whether it’s a primary strategy or an opportunistic approach. This flexibility ensures that credit unions can explore merger opportunities without committing significant resources upfront, making it easier to adapt to changing market conditions and strategic priorities.

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How it Works

For Acquirers:

  1. Data Upload & Mapping: Provide your data through AIRES file upload and code mapping.
  2. Ideal Candidate Analysis: Complete a survey to determine your requirements and cultural fit.
  3. Initial Outreach: We reach out to potential partners based on your ideal candidate analysis.
  4. Merger Pitches: Participate in introductory calls and detailed analysis presentations to assess potential partners.

For Acquirees:

  1. Data Upload & Mapping: Provide your data through AIRES file upload and code mapping.
  2. Ideal Candidate Analysis: Complete a survey to determine your requirements and cultural fit.
  3. Merger Matchmaking Model: We perform detailed analysis on your proprietary data to rank potential merger partners and reach out to potential partners based on your ideal candidate analysis.
  4. Determine Finalists: Identify 3-5 acquirers you are most interested in and participate in facilitated introductions and presentations.

Meet Our Experts



Kevin McBreen
Advisory Director - Merger Advisory

Kevin oversees our Merger Network and brings nearly 30 years of experience in financial services, including investment banking and operational management within credit unions and banks.

Chris Tissue
Chief Operating Officer, Head of Consulting

Chris has almost 15 years of experience working with credit unions, specializing in growth, impact and performance management strategies, and managerial cost accounting.

Sam Brownell
Founder & CEO

With over a decade of experience working with credit unions on data-driven growth strategies and technology solutions, Sam is dedicated to making credit unions more accessible for all.

Luis Dopico
Chief Economist

Luis has specialized in the credit union industry since 2001, providing expertise to clients like the Filene Research Institute, NCUA, and CUNA. His extensive background has supported numerous research institutions, government agencies, and consulting firms. Luis' research has been widely published, including by the Filene Research Institute and the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco.

Join the CUCollaborate Merger Network Today!