"To merge, or not to merge." That is the question that credit unions (and financial institutions at large) are discreetly asking. These undiscussed, perhaps even taboo conversations, being done in the back room or over glasses of wine, seem to be happening at a steady rate. So do the results: In the first half of 2016 alone, the NCUA approved 100 mergers.

While credit union merger counts have slowed since the 277 consolidations completed in 2012 – totaling 254 in 2013, 257 in 2014 and 235 in 2015 – 2016 brought an uptick in numbers. During the first quarter of the year, the NCUA approved 54 mergers, a significantly higher number than the 41 mergers approved in Q1 2015, according to a recent CU Times article.

In our public relations firm's experience supporting merging credit unions, the overarching theme we've encountered is that clear, concise and consistent communications are at the epicenter of a successful merger. Moreover, the cohesiveness of a strategic plan – and its actualization – must include safeguarding reputation as a paramount consideration.