“We are concentrating our growth on central Louisiana, in Monroe and other communities and that is the direction we seek to go,” said Leigh Porta, marketing manager of the 10-branch credit union. For its part, Eagle's CEO, Ginger Manint, said her credit union already maintains a branch in Chalmette and does seek to expand in metro New Orleans. “We look forward to developing relationships with our new members in Chalmette,” she said.

”This transfer of membership is demonstrative of the cooperative spirit of credit unions and how we make every decision with the best interest of our members in mind,” said Manint.

Pelican CEO Jeffrey Conrad said in a statement that his Baton Rouge credit union has no plans to develop the Chalmette area and said Chalmette members “could benefit from a credit union that has a larger presence in the community with intentions of growing in the area.”

State regulators were notified, Conrad said, adding that the refinery owns the building and that the CEOs of both credit unions met with the head of human resources there to get its approval.

“Human resources was excited that the two credit unions were working together for the benefit of their employees and our members. Often times when things don't work out, financial institutions just close branches and walk away,” Conrad said. “Pelican wanted to make sure these members were taken care of.”