Notre Dame Federal Credit Union Acquires Mission – Frequently Asked Questions
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
for Clients and Beneficiaries
Mission Management & Trust Co. (Mission) and Notre Dame Federal Credit Union (Notre Dame FCU) are pleased to announce Mission is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Notre Dame FCU through a credit union service organization (CUSO). This ownership change greatly broadens the services available to Mission’s clients and Notre Dame FCU’s members.
Why did Notre Dame FCU acquire Mission?
Notre Dame FCU has a broad base of financial services available to its members (owners), but it has not had trust services. Recent years have reinforced that fiduciary and trust services are critical to ensure the wellbeing of older adults, individuals who have special needs, or those with other conditions which compromise their independence. Notre Dame FCU wants to be able to help families and meet our members’ fiduciary and trust needs. After several years of searching, it found an excellent partner in Mission, especially in culture and values. Both entities are service-oriented and mission-driven, committed to our communities, putting people over profit, and empowering members and clients to live better lives.
Tell me more about Notre Dame FCU.
Notre Dame FCU is a not-for-profit financial cooperative founded in 1941 and headquartered in South Bend, Indiana. This “financial cooperative” structure means members of the credit union are the actual owners of Notre Dame FCU. During its 81 years of existence, the members of Notre Dame FCU have created a very robust financial institution with approximately $900 million assets, representing over 900 affiliated groups and 60,000 members in all 50 states.
Supporting its branch locations in Indiana and Arizona, members of Notre Dame FCU also have credit union access through an online banking platform, mobile banking apps, and its virtual branch, called Shamrock Center.
Additionally, Notre Dame FCU is a participant in the CO-OP Shared Branch Network, which allows Notre Dame FCU members to utilize a network of 30,000 fee-free ATMs (including at 7-Eleven stores nationwide) and over 5,000 credit union branch locations nationwide. In Southern Arizona, members of this network include Tucson Old Pueblo CU, Hughes FCU, Pyramid CU, First CU, Vantage West CU, SunWest FCU, American Southwest CU and Navy FCU. Visit www.notredamefcu.com/locator for details.
What is going to happen to the staff at Mission?
Carmen Bermudez will continue her time in community and public relations on behalf of Mission and Notre Dame FCU. Tom Feeney will remain as Mission’s Chief Investment Officer and will broaden Mission’s investment strategies. Susan Ernsky will lead day-to-day operations, remaining as President. The rest of the Mission Team also will stay to support existing clients and Notre Dame FCU members and be the foundation for additional growth. Mission will expand its employee base in the coming months. We expect early staff expansion to include new team members in the Phoenix metropolitan area, and expansion of existing staffing at Mission’s Tucson headquarters.
What does this mean for my account at Mission and my relationship with Mission?
Mission’s office and team will become the “trust headquarters” for the Notre Dame FCU family of financial service entities. Your account or trust for which you are a beneficiary will continue to be handled by Mission’s team. Mission manages client and trust beneficiary relationships with a team approach under a lead officer. This will continue. Over time, we will add capacity and you may begin working with additional team members.
As a Mission client, what additional services and benefits will be available to me?
As a Mission client or trust beneficiary, you and your family are immediately eligible to become credit union members. Doing so would make you an owner of Mission also! The credit union will waive the initial membership fee for anyone associated with Mission. Notre Dame FCU offers checking and savings accounts; credit cards; vehicle, mortgage, home equity and student loans; auto, home, business and life insurance; and a robust range of business banking services.
What are the things that will change with this acquisition?
The key changes are our collective ability to offer credit union members and Mission clients a broader base of services. The credit union will establish an office in Tucson to support regular consumer and business financial service needs.
As one would expect, Mission will be able to share and benefit from joint contracting capabilities that will expand our employee benefits, reduce our costs for banking services, and reduce the demands on Mission to operate entirely as a separate business. Eventually these changes will free up resources to invest in additional systems and staff. Our ultimate objectives are to support Mission clients and the members of Notre Dame FCU as effectively as possible.
What won’t change?
We’re here for you! Mission and Notre Dame FCU share a strong, personal commitment to the community and to providing personal service to our clients and members. You can count on us doing the very best we can for you, day-in and day-out. No one will work harder to meet your needs.
The management teams at Notre Dame FCU and Mission welcome your suggestions as we transition. If you have any questions or concerns along the way, please contact us.
Notre Dame Federal Credit Union | www.notredamefcu.com | 800-522-6611
Mission Management & Trust Co. | www.missiontrust.com | 520-577-5559
