Denali Federal Credit Union is Alaska's third-largest credit union and has branches throughout Alaska and in Kent, Wa. It has more than 73,000 members and assets of more than $650 million.

Nuvision has 13 branches located in Los Angeles and Orange Counties, Arizona and Wyoming. It has 90,000 members and assets of about $1.6 billion.

The combined credit union will serve some 160,000 members, with 30 branches.

The federally insured credit union will retain the Nuvision charter and name, but Denali branches will retain the Denali name, operating as a branch of Nuvision.

"We are excited about our proposed merger partnership with Denali Federal Credit Union," Ballard said. "Each credit union is healthy and well positioned in its respective markets, with shared values and an absolute commitment to serving members."

He said that the merger is another step toward Nuvision's goal of becoming a regional credit union, with operations in multiple states in the Pacific Northwest.

"Merger partnerships have always been an important part of Denali's long-term strategies to support our growth and service goals," Teachworth said. "The strength, stability and success of our credit union today is the direct result of the merging of a number of credit unions over the years, partnering together to better serve our collective members."

If the merger receives the approval of regulators and Denali's members, the credit unions predicted the merger will be finalized by the end of 2018, with integration planned for 2019.