Key Considerations for Strategic Growth in 2020 and Beyond
After years of assisting credit unions and banks navigate the merger & acquisition process, I’ve learned many valuable lessons. One of the most important is to ask the tough questions early in the process. A real-life example of this happened years ago, when I was called in to assist two credit unions that had already been working together on a merger for months. One of the first questions I asked the two then-CEOs was who would remain at the helm post-merger. They both raised their hands. After months of preparations on both sides, the merger never happened.
Your institution can avoid those types of pitfalls by enlisting the right assistance to navigate the process and discussing the negotiable and non-negotiable aspects of any potential merger or collaboration beforehand. Everyone wants to be the surviving institution. However, what that means to individuals, executive teams and boards may differ.
Why Consider Mergers Now?
Put simply, scale matters. Since 1990, 50% of credit unions have disappeared. Yet, membership has increased by 100%. There are simply a smaller number of credit unions serving more members – and competing with other, larger financial institutions via community charters. What we’re seeing in today’s environment is not a rush of institutions merging due to financial insolvency. Rather, forward-looking financial institutions are considering the best ways to remain relevant and sustainable in the future.
When evaluated and executed properly, mergers and collaborations can create more member/customer value by reducing expenses as a percentage of assets. They can also help institutions retain high-performing employees by offering career growth and better compensation. Other benefits may include reduced compliance costs as a percentage of assets, enhanced convenience, more competitive rates, and expanded products or services.
What Motivates the Different Parties?
While each situation is unique, there are some common reasons why sellers, buyers and merging entities choose their respective paths.
Sellers – Entities seeking to exit often for financial gains, financial issues, owner needs/concerns or leadership transition challenges
Buyers – Entities looking to expand, often geographically or into niche businesses, by acquisition
Merger transactions - More particularly “mergers of equals” or mergers for synergies, these transactions often present the most challenging negotiations and difficult decisions and compromises as both parties seek to preserve and further their historical business objectives
Is It Better to Buy a Bank?
While there has been more discussion about bank purchase opportunities in the credit union space recently, credit unions may want to consider collaboration opportunities with other like-minded credit unions first before spending real money on a bank. It is important to note that credit union mergers do not require cutting a check; whereas buying a bank does.
The Right Process is Key
Regardless of whether your institution is evaluating a potential merger with another credit union, considering purchasing a bank or looking at another type of transaction, following a comprehensive process is critical. From early planning, negotiation, qualitative and quantitative value proposition analysis, to post-merger integration, there are many steps that can’t be overlooked. With the right process and guidance in place, mergers and acquisitions can be a beneficial decision for both parties.
To learn more about the merger and strategic growth solution services ALM First provides, interested credit unions should contact info@almfirst.com.
David Ritter is Managing Director, Strategic Solutions Group at ALM First, joining the firm in 2019. David spearheads providing clients with both quantitative and qualitative strategic growth initiatives with clients; whether via facilitating an entire mergers and acquisitions process, conducting strategic planning, building customized sophisticated yet practical financial scenario analyses models for clients, or creating de novo business plans.
David earned his Bachelor of Arts in Business Economics from the University of California, Santa Barbara, his Master of Business Administration from Carnegie Mellon, Tepper School of Business and is a....-->
After years of assisting credit unions and banks navigate the merger & acquisition process, I’ve learned many valuable lessons. One of the most important is to ask the tough questions early in the process. A real-life example of this happened years ago, when I was called in to assist two credit unions that had already been working together on a merger for months. One of the first questions I asked the two then-CEOs was who would remain at the helm post-merger. They both raised their hands. After months of preparations on both sides, the merger never happened.