As you know, change is constant—especially in the world of business. The credit union industry is no exception, and neither are your trade associations. Just like your credit union must grow and evolve to meet the demands of your members, the Tennessee Credit Union League must also continue to grow and adapt to meet your needs.
I’m pleased to share some exciting news about our next step in that journey: the Tennessee Credit Union League is exploring merging with the Mississippi Credit Union Association.
Let me start by saying this—our core values remain the same. We’ve always operated conservatively, carefully managing the resources you entrust to us. But more than that, we’ve built this League on personal relationships, hands-on service and a true understanding of the communities you serve. That will not change.
Why Merge?
We are committed to providing meaningful, personal service—not something you can just pull off the shelf or solve with a webinar. Every credit union is different, every community is different, and our approach must reflect that.
However, delivering that kind of high-touch service requires resources—especially people. As any leader knows, staffing is one of the most significant investments any organization makes. For years, we’ve managed this commitment through a strong investment portfolio that has helped offset our modest dues structure. But even the most strategic investing has its limits.
To ensure we can continue delivering the level of personal, responsive service you deserve—and expand it—we’ve made the strategic decision to grow through merger.
Why Mississippi?
The Mississippi Credit Union Association shares our values. They believe, as we do, that service should be personal. That there’s no substitute for someone sitting across the table from you, listening, understanding your unique challenges and working side-by-side to help you better serve your members.
This is a true cultural fit. Together, we will represent nearly 200 credit unions across two states, giving us the scale and stability to deliver even greater value while maintaining our high-touch, local focus.
What Will This Look Like?
Here’s what you can expect.
Leadership Continuity
I will continue to serve as president and CEO. Charles Elliott, president and CEO of the Mississippi Association, will become our chief advocacy officer and lead liaison for Mississippi credit unions.
No Staff Reductions
We are not planning to lose anyone. In fact, we need both teams at full strength to meet the evolving needs of our members.
Personal Service Maintained
We will continue our approach of visiting your credit unions, engaging with your teams and offering customized solutions—not cookie-cutter answers.
Dual Conventions
Tennessee will continue to host our Annual Convention in Gatlinburg. Mississippi’s Convention in Biloxi at the Beau Rivage will also continue. You are welcome at either—or both!
New League Foundation
A new foundation will bring enhanced resources for credit union advancement, community impact, and professional development—with special emphasis on helping small credit unions (assets under $150M) grow and thrive.
Expanded Advocacy
Our combined voice will be stronger. With a broader network of federal, state and local lawmakers, we’ll have a more powerful seat at the table. Our expanded advocacy team will include federal, state, regulatory, political and grassroots experts—dedicated League professionals working exclusively on your behalf.
Shared Governance
Initially, we will have an 18-member board—nine directors from each state—and a five-member executive committee with three from Tennessee and two from Mississippi. This structure will remain in place for about two years while we design a long-term, equitable board for the new organization.
Looking Ahead
Charles and I have been clear from the beginning: this merger must be a win-win. We are not just combining operations—we’re building a stronger, more agile organization that can better serve credit unions of every size in both states.
We are working to finalize the merger by the end of this year. Along the way, we’ll continue to communicate openly and transparently. If you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me or any member of our team. We are here for you.
Thank you, as always, for your trust in the Tennessee Credit Union League. The future is bright, and we’re honored to be on this journey with you.
