ARTICLE
SAINT PAUL, Minn. – Hiway Credit Union members voted to approve the St. Paul-based credit union’s merger with SPIRE Credit Union, allowing for two of Minnesota’s largest credit unions to proceed with joining forces. With more than 80% of voting Hiway members approving the merger, this paves the way for a newly named and branded combined credit union, which will be the fourth largest in Minnesota. The legal date of merge is set for January 1, 2024. Hiway and SPIRE announced the proposed merger earlier in the summer, with both organizations’ Boards of Directors, CEOs and leadership teams unanimously supporting the partnership, and the NCUA following suit with their approval. Because Hiway will technically be moving into SPIRE’s more expansive community charter, Hiway members were required to approve via majority vote. “We are excited for the future of our new organization,” said Hiway President/CEO Dave Boden. “Our members, many of whom have been with us for decades, have been incredibly supportive of this merger, and their overwhelmingly favorable vote underscores that they recognize the many advantages of our two strong credit unions becoming one.” Because both Hiway and SPIRE are financially secure, similar in size, and share many values, the alliance is considered a merger-of-equals, with a new name and brand to be announced later this year. Hiway and SPIRE will combine their boards and management teams, with SPIRE President/CEO Dan Stoltz taking the role of CEO, and Boden becoming the President. All employees from both credit unions will be retained, and all 26 existing branch locations will remain open. “Our vision is to build the best credit union in the region,” said Stoltz. “With all the support and enthusiasm that we’ve experienced, and the combined talent and resources, we know that we can get there. This is an exciting time for all of us and for our communities.” On the legal merge date, Hiway and SPIRE will combine assets, liabilities, and capital, and members will be able to use any of the 26 branches. Other organizational processes and technologies will be integrated throughout 2024. “We’re proud that our Hiway and SPIRE employees have worked so well together to get us to this point, and we will continue to prioritize the needs of our members throughout the transition,” said Boden. Stoltz emphasized that the organizations’ long history of commitment to bettering communities will continue, and, combined, be even stronger. “Combining our dollars and efforts means these two community-focused credit unions will be able to do more to and to have a greater impact on the communities that we serve,” he said. The new, combined credit union will boast assets of nearly $4 billion, serve approximately 250,000 members, and employ more than 600 people. ABOUT HIWAY CREDIT UNION Hiway Credit Union was founded in 1931 to serve the employees of the Minnesota Highway Department. Today, Hiway serves an expanded member base, with over 90,000 members in Minnesota and nationwide, registers $1.7 billion+ in assets and welcomes new membership from individuals and businesses. Hiway offers its members unparalleled service and value “on the road of life” through lower loan rates, higher savings rates, and fewer and lower fees. Hiway also operates four high school branches at Como, Harding, Highland and Johnson High Schools in St. Paul. For more information about Hiway, visit hiway.org. ABOUT SPIRE CREDIT UNION SPIRE is a full-service financial institution, proudly serving Minnesota and Wisconsin residents since 1934. SPIRE is committed to providing smart products, great rates and excellent service with a goal to improve the financial lives of over 157,000 personal and business members. SPIRE has 22 branches throughout Minnesota with a total asset size of more than $2.1 billion. To learn more about SPIRE, please visit myspire.com.
SAINT PAUL, Minn. – Hiway Credit Union members voted to approve the St. Paul-based credit union’s merger with SPIRE Credit Union, allowing for two of Minnesota’s largest credit unions to proceed with joining forces. With more than 80% of voting Hiway members approving the merger, this paves the way for a newly named and branded combined credit union, which will be the fourth largest in Minnesota. The legal date of merge is set for January 1, 2024.
Hiway and SPIRE announced the proposed merger earlier in the summer, with both organizations’ Boards of Directors, CEOs and leadership teams unanimously supporting the partnership, and the NCUA following suit with their approval. Because Hiway will technically be moving into SPIRE’s more expansive community charter, Hiway members were required to approve via majority vote.
“We are excited for the future of our new organization,” said Hiway President/CEO Dave Boden. “Our members, many of whom have been with us for decades, have been incredibly supportive of this merger, and their overwhelmingly favorable vote underscores that they recognize the many advantages of our two strong credit unions becoming one.”
Because both Hiway and SPIRE are financially secure, similar in size, and share many values, the alliance is considered a merger-of-equals, with a new name and brand to be announced later this year. Hiway and SPIRE will combine their boards and management teams, with SPIRE President/CEO Dan Stoltz taking the role of CEO, and Boden becoming the President. All employees from both credit unions will be retained, and all 26 existing branch locations will remain open.
“Our vision is to build the best credit union in the region,” said Stoltz. “With all the support and enthusiasm that we’ve experienced, and the combined talent and resources, we know that we can get there. This is an exciting time for all of us and for our communities.”
On the legal merge date, Hiway and SPIRE will combine assets, liabilities, and capital, and members will be able to use any of the 26 branches. Other organizational processes and technologies will be integrated throughout 2024.
“We’re proud that our Hiway and SPIRE employees have worked so well together to get us to this point, and we will continue to prioritize the needs of our members throughout the transition,” said Boden.
Stoltz emphasized that the organizations’ long history of commitment to bettering communities will continue, and, combined, be even stronger.
“Combining our dollars and efforts means these two community-focused credit unions will be able to do more to and to have a greater impact on the communities that we serve,” he said.
The new, combined credit union will boast assets of nearly $4 billion, serve approximately 250,000 members, and employ more than 600 people.
ABOUT HIWAY CREDIT UNION
Hiway Credit Union was founded in 1931 to serve the employees of the Minnesota Highway Department. Today, Hiway serves an expanded member base, with over 90,000 members in Minnesota and nationwide, registers $1.7 billion+ in assets and welcomes new membership from individuals and businesses. Hiway offers its members unparalleled service and value “on the road of life” through lower loan rates, higher savings rates, and fewer and lower fees. Hiway also operates four high school branches at Como, Harding, Highland and Johnson High Schools in St. Paul. For more information about Hiway, visit hiway.org.
ABOUT SPIRE CREDIT UNION
SPIRE is a full-service financial institution, proudly serving Minnesota and Wisconsin residents since 1934. SPIRE is committed to providing smart products, great rates and excellent service with a goal to improve the financial lives of over 157,000 personal and business members. SPIRE has 22 branches throughout Minnesota with a total asset size of more than $2.1 billion. To learn more about SPIRE, please visit myspire.com.