The credit union landscape is undergoing rapid transformation in 2025, driven by consolidation, competition and the need for scalable technology. From mergers to bank acquisitions, institutions are rethinking their growth strategies – and their core systems are at the center of it all.
The NCUA approved 45 credit union mergers in Q2 2025 alone, ranging from billion-dollar institutions to smaller community credit unions. Each merger presents unique challenges and opportunities for core system alignment.
Credit union mergers are driven by a variety of strategic, financial and operational factors, including:
These transitions often trigger core system evaluations, requiring:
In addition to internal consolidation, credit unions are increasingly acquiring community banks to accelerate growth and diversify their portfolios. Since early 2024, at least 35 bank acquisitions have been announced or completed.
Credit unions pursuing bank acquisitions often do so to accelerate growth and enhance member value through strategic initiatives such as:
Whether through mergers or acquisitions, core system alignment is a critical challenge:
According to CUCollaborate’s data, the most used core processors for credit unions over $1 billion include:
Corelation KeyStone, while modern and well-rated for mid-sized credit unions, has been flagged by users as potentially less capable of managing growth beyond $1B.
CUProdigy and CU*Answers are often replaced post-merger due to scalability limitations.
Acquired banks typically run Jack Henry SilverLake, Fiserv Premier or FIS Horizon, requiring full core conversions.
At Probridge Services, we specialize in helping credit unions navigate the complexities of core system transitions during mergers and acquisitions. Our team brings deep expertise in:
Whether you're merging, acquiring or simply preparing for future growth, Probridge ensures your core strategy is a competitive advantage – not a constraint.
Credit union mergers are strategic opportunities to expand services, grow membership and strengthen long-term viability. But success depends on more than asset alignment – it hinges on core system readiness.
Institutions that proactively assess system gaps, retrofit reports and augment staffing are better positioned to:
Probridge Services helps credit unions navigate this complexity with:
Whether you're merging with another credit union or acquiring a bank, Probridge ensures your core strategy is a competitive advantage – not a constraint.