Updated as of | Merger Completion Tracker: 25%
At a special membership meeting held on June 30, 2025, the membership of Great River Federal Credit Union confirmed the Board’s plan to merge with Credit Union 1 (CU1). The legal merger date is September 30, 2025.
At this time, no changes will be made to your accounts or the methods you use to access them. The core processing systems of Great River Federal Credit Union and Credit Union 1 will be consolidated and converted on September 30, 2025. Prior to that date, Credit Union 1 will continue to update this landing page with the most relevant information for the conversion process. Please bookmark this landing page to stay up to date on how this merger will affect your membership and access to your accounts.
Have questions about the merger, disclosures or fee schedule? Submit a Question
I’m ecstatic about the upcoming merger with Credit Union 1 and what it means for the members we serve today. This is an exciting time for everyone, as we enhance on the products our members have come to love. We will also be adding new products and services to create a better experience. With improved technology and features, this will be a great opportunity to improve the member experience for everyone!
As part of this transition, a conversion and consolidation of our core processing systems will occur in the coming months. We encourage all members to review and take note of the important dates listed below to ensure a smooth experience during this period.
Confirm that Great River Federal Credit Union has your correct contact information on file to ensure you receive all merger communications. To confirm we have your correct phone number, email address, and mailing address, please verify or update your information in Digital Banking.
To get started, first log in to Great River’s Digital Banking.
Mobile App:
Web Browser:
Great River members will soon enjoy access to High-Yield Checking1, High-Yield Savings2, and CD account options—all designed to work seamlessly with CU1’s highly rated digital banking app. Manage your finances effortlessly in one place with one login through Digital Banking.
Within CU1 Digital Banking, you can track your credit score, pay bills, and take full control of your debit card. Features include turning your card on or off, setting spending controls and alerts, enabling travel notifications, monitoring activity, and more.
Bank anywhere with access to 90,000 surcharge-free ATMs and 5,000+ shared branches nationwide through the Allpoint and CO-OP networks.
Available 24/7, Luna helps you check balances, view history, apply for loans, and get quick answers—no waiting. Need additional help? Luna will connect you to the right CU1 team member.
Members with direct deposit and a Free Checking account get paid up to two days sooner with CU1 Early Pay3, no special steps required.
Through CU1 Cares, Credit Union 1 is eager to be an active partner in the community, with a strong commitment to giving back through financial education, volunteerism, and support for essential services. We view merger opportunities as a way to expand our reach and deepen our impact where it matters most.
Credit Union 1 is committed to strengthening and empowering the communities it serves through CU1 Cares. This initiative supports individuals, families, and local organizations through charitable giving, volunteerism, and financial education. In 2024, CU1 contributed to nonprofits nationwide, collected thousands of items for community drives, and actively participated in local events.
Great River Federal 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 Great River Federal 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 September 30, 2025.
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. Great River Federal Credit Union members will now have access to:
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).
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.
Great River Federal Credit Union’s field of membership will be incorporated with Credit Union 1’s field of membership after the system conversion date September 30, 2025.
Credit Union 1 plans to keep the Great River branches open. This includes all Minnesota Branches - Big Lake, Foley, Sartell, Sauk Centre, Sauk Rapids, St. Cloud, Waite Park, as well as the branches in Minot, North Dakota, and Niles, Michigan. Credit Union 1 has 22 branches in Illinois, Indiana, Nevada, Georgia, Florida, Michigan, and Wisconsin. 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 and surcharge-free ATM network and the surcharge-free Allpoint ATM network.
You can continue to use Great River Federal Credit Union’s branches. We cannot begin integrating the operations of the two credit unions until after the system conversion date of September 30, 2025. Great River Federal 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 September 30, 2025, 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 90,000 surcharge-free ATMs nationwide.
Yes, your account number will change on October 1, 2025. 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 October 2, 2025:
Yes, the routing number will also change on October 1, 2025. 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.
You will continue to use Great River Federal Credit Union’s online/mobile banking until the system conversion date September 30, 2025. Once the conversion of systems occurs, you will then use Credit Union 1’s Digital Banking platform and highly rated mobile app. Banking anytime, anywhere has never been simpler.
You will continue to use Great River Federal Credit Union’s account information until the system conversion date September 30, 2025. 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.
Until the system conversion date September 30, 2025, 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 September 30, 2025.
Don’t hesitate to call 320.252.5393 or email memberservice@greatriverfcu.org to contact Great River Federal Credit Union.
We want to hear from you! In our ongoing efforts to improve member experience at Credit Union 1, we’re rolling out a member survey to ensure that your voice is being heard.
