When Tucson Old Pueblo Credit Union announced its merger with Idaho Central Credit Union earlier this year, the news signaled more than just a strategic alignment between two member-owned financial institutions.
For many in Southern Arizona, it marked a shift in the identity of a Tucson-based credit union that had served the community for nearly a century (it was founded in 1935 by a group of city employees pooling resources to serve their own), and reignited broader debates about what it really means to be “local” in today’s financial sector.
“This merger allows us to better serve Tucson’s residents and provide new opportunities for employees,” said Jeff Dunlap, ICCU’s community development manager. “By joining forces, we were able to expand the financial products and services being offered while maintaining strong local leadership and community ties.”…