New Mexico’s Largest Credit Union Completes Its First Bank Acquisition

The former bank will continue to operate as “Western Heritage – Powered by Nusenda Credit Union.”

State of New Mexico flag. Credit/Shutterstock

The $4.3 billion Nusenda Credit Union in Albuquerque, N.M., has completed its acquisition of the $326 million Western Heritage Bank in Las Cruces, N.M.

“On behalf of our board of directors and entire team, I am pleased to welcome Western Heritage customers and employees to the Nusenda family,” Nusenda President/CEO Joe Christian said in a prepared statement on Tuesday. “The combination of our community focused institutions and shared beliefs about customer service, community impact and employee well-being will support the ongoing growth and financial service needs in the Borderplex region.”

The Borderplex is a bi-national, three state region that includes Las Cruces, N.M., El Paso, Texas and Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico.

Nusenda’s first bank acquisition, originally announced in June 2023, expands its market presence in this region, which is home to more than 2.5 million people and is the largest metropolitan area on the U.S.–Mexico border, according to the Economic Development Department of New Mexico.

Signage for the former bank’s two branches in Deming and Las Cruces and four branches in El Paso, as well as its website and social media platforms, will continue to operate as “Western Heritage – Powered by Nusenda Credit Union.”

The former bank’s 7,500 customers will continue to be served as credit union members and its accounts and systems are expected to be moved to the credit union by late 2024.

Nusenda’s 750 employees operate more than 20 branches and serve nearly 265,000 members.