Once finalized, the merged Christian Financial will employ more than 200 metro Detroit residents.

Motor City Co-op branch locations will remain open except for the Warren branch, which will merge into the Center Line branch of Christian Financial because of the close proximity of the offices to each other. Motor City Co-op's back-office operations will move to Christian Financial's headquarters in Sterling Heights and the Clinton Township branch will continue to operate as a full-service branch.

Motor City Co-op members will have access to additional savings and loan products, comprehensive business account services and an in-house investment representative. "Christian Financial and Motor City Co-op have operated in the same geographic footprint for decades and it became apparent over time that combining our two credit unions would be a natural fit, since our values very much align," Campbell said. "This merger is a marriage of two financially sound credit unions that will help us capitalize on our strengths and position us to meet the current and future needs of members. I couldn't be more hopeful and enthusiastic about this monumental step for our credit unions."

In other merger news, the $8.5 million Waltham Municipal Employees Credit Union consolidated with the $904 million RTN Federal Credit Union also based in Waltham, Mass., on Feb. 1.

Members of Waltham Municipal Employees CU approved the merger last month. The credit union was founded in 1949 and served nearly 900 members.

"This is an exciting opportunity to deepen our connection with the city of Waltham," RTN Treasurer/CEO Richard Wright said. "We hope our new members will enjoy the ease of conducting business in our flagship branch right here in Waltham, with access to a wider offering of products and services."