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HomeFinancial CodeDiv. 5Ch. 9Art. 1§ 15201 Credit Union Merger Approval

§ 15201 Credit Union Merger Approval

Financial Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 15201 Credit Union Merger Approval

This law sets out the steps and rules for how two credit unions can merge and when the state commissioner can approve the merger.

Key Takeaways

  • •A merger requires board agreement and a member vote, with proper notice given.
  • •The commissioner can approve a merger without a member vote if the disappearing credit union is at risk of insolvency and the merger protects insurance funds.
  • •Insolvency is determined by comparing total shares to the cash value of assets after liabilities.

Example

A small credit union wants to merge with a larger one. The boards of both credit unions agree on the merger plan, then the members of the disappearing credit union meet, receive notice by mail, and vote on the merger. If a majority of members approve, the merger can be submitted to the commissioner for final approval.

The merger must be approved by a majority of the disappearing credit union's members after proper notice is given. The commissioner can still approve it even if the vote was less than a majority, as long as the required notice and disclosure rules were followed.

How to Calculate

Insolvency condition: Total Shares > (Cash Value of Assets - Liabilities)

  1. Obtain the total amount of shares issued by the credit union.
  2. Determine the present cash value of the credit union's assets.
  3. Subtract the credit union's liabilities from that cash value.
  4. Compare the total shares to the result from step 3; if shares are greater, the credit union is considered insolvent.

Checking if a credit union is insolvent before a merger

Result: Cash Value after Liabilities = $6,000,000 - $500,000 = $5,500,000. Since Total Shares ($5,500,000) is not greater than $5,500,000, the credit union is NOT insolvent under this test.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 15201 Credit Union Merger Approval

(a) The merger shall be made pursuant to any plan agreed upon by the majority of the board of directors of each credit union joining in the merger, and approved by the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the members of the disappearing credit union, in person or by proxy, at a meeting of the members called for that purpose or by written consent of a majority of the members of the disappearing credit union. Notice of the meeting shall be given to the members, either personally or by first-class mail, not less than 30 nor more than 90 days prior to the date of the meeting. (b) The commissioner may approve a merger according to the plan agreed upon by the majority of the board of directors of each credit union, as set forth in subdivision (a), if the plan of merger is approved by less than a majority of the membership as provided in subdivision (a) if the commissioner finds, upon the written and verified application filed by the board of directors, that (1) notice of the meeting called to consider the merger or the ballot for written vote on the merger was mailed to each member entitled to vote upon the question, (2) the notice or ballot disclosed the purpose of the meeting or the written vote, (3) the notice or ballot informed the membership that approval of the merger might be sought pursuant to this section, and (4) a majority of the votes cast upon the question were in favor of the merger. (c) Notwithstanding subdivisions (a) and (b), the commissioner may approve a merger without a vote of the membership of the disappearing credit union if a majority of the members of the board of directors of the surviving credit union approves the merger, the disappearing credit union is in danger of insolvency and the merger would reduce the risk or avoid a threatened loss to the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund or other form of share guaranty or insurance that is acceptable to the commissioner. For purposes of this chapter, a credit union is insolvent when, from the most recent available financial statements, it can be shown that the total amount of its shares exceeds the present cash value of its assets after providing for liabilities unless the commissioner finds all of the following: (1) The facts that caused the deficient share-asset ratio no longer exist. (2) Further decline in the share-asset ratio is not probable. (3) The return of the share-asset ratio to its normal limits within a reasonable time for the credit union concerned is probable. (4) The probability of a further potential loss is negligible to the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund or other form of share guaranty or insurance that is acceptable to the commissioner. (Amended by Stats. 1998, Ch. 539, Sec. 41. Effective January 1, 1999.)

Last verified: January 11, 2026

Key Terms

majorityinsurancecommissiondangerinsolvencymergerdirectormembership

Related Statutes

  • § 14102 Credit Union Amendment Rules
  • § 5759 Stock Acquisition Approval
  • § 1323 Bank Employee Bribery Prohibition
  • § 14410 Credit Union Board Compensation
  • § 14950 Credit Union Loan Policies

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Financial Code. Section 15201.
View Official Source