Springfield, Joplin credit unions merge

The merger with Central Ozarks Credit Union in Joplin closed April 2, said Jill Bishop, Postal Federal Community’s vice president of marketing/business development, and new signage already hangs on the Joplin branch, 2007 S. Sergeant Ave.

Postal Federal Community now holds $101 million in assets and has more than 17,000 members in its 10-county area, factoring in Central Ozarks’ $7.2 million in assets and roughly 2,000 members.

The move gives Postal Federal Community a second branch in Joplin, where Bishop said it has maintained a presence since the 1950s and provides Central Ozarks members new products and services, such as Internet banking and bill pay, debit cards and an automated teller machine. Zelma Watts was named Joplin area branch manager.

According to Springfield Business Journal’s 2007 Book of Lists, Postal Federal Community is the largest credit union in the Springfield area, based on assets. The credit union has four branches in Springfield, one in Branson and has signed a lease for a Nixa branch at 310 W. Mount Vernon with hopes of a summer opening.

“We’re always looking to add more locations for the convenience of our members,” Bishop said.

Postal Federal Community Credit Union was founded in 1929, and it is open to membership for U.S. Postal Service and federal employees and their families, according to its Web site, www.postalfed.org. Central Ozarks Credit Union was established in 1932, serving anyone living or working in the Joplin area, according to its Web site, www.centralozarkscreditunion.org.