Access Credit Union in Grunthal

A Grunthal business person believes a proposed merger between the Access and Assiniboine Credit Unions could be a good thing.

Colleen Edmunds notes the Access Credit Union in Grunthal has been through three previous mergers, which turned out well.

"I found them to be beneficial," Edmunds describes. "When you're a smaller entity it is harder to give all the options and services you would want as an individual or a business. I found that with each time the credit union has merged it has become better able to offer well rounded services and it gets better each time."

A membership vote will determine if the proposal is approved or not, and if it is the two credit unions would combine to form the largest credit union in Manitoba and sixth largest in the country.

"At first you think, 'Well why do we need that, we've gotten along fine?'" Edmunds notes. "You often don't know what you need, and I think as it grows and services are offered you realize the benefit as you go along."

A joint press release between the credit unions announced no branches would be closed nor would any employees be laid off, which helps alleviate any concerns about a Winnipeg-centred approach.

"The offices are still in Manitoba, the people who work here aren't from another city or another province," Edmunds adds. "They are still local, they still have that relationship and they still have policies that are relevant to local people and local businesses."

Members of both credit unions will be asked to the merger at their respective annual meetings on April 22nd. If approved, the new entity would come into effect on October 1st.