Merger Approved First Area & CU1

First Area Credit Union wants to bring their members the best value as a primary financial institution and provide the necessary products and services to help you reach your financial goals. Credit Union 1 offers the technology and systems that address their members’ needs. Additionally, CU1’s strong core values give the First Area Credit Union leadership team and board of directors confidence that their membership will experience a level of quality of service comparable to which you have known. Our credit unions are like-minded, and we strongly believe that a partnership will benefit members and employees of both institutions.

Credit Union 1 has more than sixty years of experience helping families and communities reach their economic potential. And we have our eye on the next sixty years, as we continue to evolve and innovate to find new ways to offer our members high-quality, low-cost financial products and services and a modern banking experience.

CU1 was founded in 1958 with an original base membership of personnel from Chanute Air Force Base in Rantoul, Illinois. We have since grown into a billion-dollar-plus financial institution, but our priorities remain the same—helping families and communities succeed financially.

To learn more about what drives us and our commitment to diversity and inclusion, visit our About Us page.

Our regulators, the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) and Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), have both approved our merger plans. With member support of the merger through the voting process, we anticipate that our first legal day as a combined organization will be March 31, 2026.

A merger will provide the resources to better serve your financial needs through industry-leading technology, new products and services, and highly competitive rates. We want to be your first choice for a primary financial institution. Nothing will change until member approval is received. This partnership will mean we can better anticipate and meet all your financial needs. First Area Credit Union members will now have access to:

• First Mortgages
• High Yield Checking
• High Yield Savings
• A Full Suite of Business Banking Options
• Instant-Issue Debit Cards for Lost or Stolen Cards
• Broader Selection of Credit Cards
• Tap-to-Pay Debit and Credit Cards
• Financial Wellbeing & Education
• Greater Investment into the Branch Communities
• And much more.

One reason our two credit unions are pursuing this merger is because we feel both credit unions are like-minded, and we strongly believe that a partnership will benefit members and employees of both institutions. Credit Union 1 strives to provide premium service and you will continue to receive personalized service as you do today.

First Area Credit Union’s field of membership will be incorporated with Credit Union 1’s field of membership after the system conversion date of July 31, 2026.

Credit Union 1 plans to keep the First Area Credit Union branches open upon the merger effective date of July 31, 2026. Credit Union 1 has 36 branches in Illinois, Indiana, Nevada, Georgia, Florida, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota and North Dakota. In addition to CU1’s branches, members will also have access to CU1’s robust Digital Banking platform, along with access to the CO-OP shared branch network and the CO-OP, Allpoint and MoneyPass surcharge-free ATM networks.

We will do our best to clear transactions that use your First Area Credit Union account and routing number for up to six months; however, we recommend updating everything as soon as possible to your new CU1 information.

Yes, your account number will change on July 31, 2026. Be sure to update any external parties—such as your employer (for payroll), service providers (for ACH transactions), or lenders—with your new Credit Union 1 (CU1) routing and account numbers.

To find your new account number starting August 1, 2026:

1. Log in to Digital Banking.
2. Go to the ‘Menu’, then select ‘Services’, followed by ‘Setup Direct Deposits’.
3. Here, you can use ClickSwitch to update your direct deposits and ACH transactions, or scroll down to download a PDF with your account details.

Yes, the routing number will also change on August 1, 2026. The new CU1 routing number is #271188081. You can find it in Digital Banking by scrolling to the Move Money tile, or at the bottom of the cu1.com website.

Yes, but not until the system conversion.

• Continue using First Area Credit Union’s online/mobile banking through July 31, 2026.
• Starting August 1, 2026, switch to Credit Union 1’s Digital Banking platform and mobile app, offering convenient access anytime, anywhere. You can register for Digital Banking beginning August 1, 2026.

Yes. Continue using your First Area Credit Union debit card. Communications will be sent out closer to the operational date of when you will begin using your new Credit Union 1 debit card.

You may continue using your existing First Area Credit Union checks, which will be honored for up to 6 months after July 31, 2026. When you're ready to reorder, you can do so easily online.

You will continue to use First Area Credit Union’s account information until the system conversion date July 31, 2026. Once the conversion of systems occurs, you will need to notify each business of your new Credit Union 1 account number and Credit Union 1’s routing and transit number.

Don’t hesitate to call (989) 781-1430 or fill out the contact form to contact First Area Credit Union.

Until the system conversion date July 31, 2026, none of your account terms will change. Whether or not they will change after the system conversion date depends on the type of account.

Loans | Your existing loan contract will remain in effect until the loan is paid off.

Share Certificates | The terms of your existing share certificate will remain in effect until the maturity date.

Savings & Checking | Rates and terms on these accounts are subject to change at the time of the merger date. You will receive a CU1 Membership Agreement and Account Disclosures before the merger date.

Credit Cards | Credit Union 1 offers an array of credit card options with competitive rates and exciting rewards. More information will be provided after the system conversion date of July 31, 2026.

Your accounts will continue to be federally insured just as they are today through the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund, which is backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government and managed by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA).

You can continue to use First Area Credit Union’s branches. We cannot begin integrating the operations of the two credit unions until after the system conversion date of July 31, 2026. First Area Credit Union’s members will be notified as soon as the additional branches are connected.

Credit Union 1 ATMs are available for anyone to use; however, we cannot begin integrating the operations of the two credit unions until after the system conversion date of July 31, 2026, so you may incur a fee until that time. Once the merger is effective, you will have access to all Credit Union 1 ATMs at no charge along with more than 130,000 surcharge-free ATMs nationwide.