Member Announcement

To continue to provide our members with the best level of products and services, Changing Seasons decided to pursue a merger to renew its purpose while finding alignment with UCU to continue forward. As a small credit union, operational efficiencies are a significant challenge, causing the cost of doing business to outpace the ability to bring the next level of products and services our members desire and deserve. This merger will provide our members with extensive products and services, financial resources, and convenience.

Members will have increased availability of local branches, ATMs, products and services, and many more immediate benefits of UCU membership. UCU offers Kasasa Checking, business services, UCU Wealth Management, in-house serviced and decision real estate lending, an array of consumer lending options and more. The credit union also boasts a team of Certified Credit Union Financial Counselors that support members in their financial journey and provide resources including UCU’s online member education portal and other location and regional informational resources.

UCU is a local credit union established in 1967 right here in our community. UCU has its headquarters in Orono, with nine branches across Maine from Portland to Presque Isle. UCU is driven by its purpose to support the financial wellbeing of people and the community.

At UCU, all member deposit accounts are insured up to $500,000; with $250,000 in insurance through the National Credit Union Association and $250,000 insurance through Excess Share Insurance, a level above what we offer today, and an additional coverage provided by UCU at no cost to members.

In an increasingly competitive marketplace, and after careful evaluation of our credit union over the past several years, it has become increasingly obvious that the cost of doing business for a small credit union has outpaced the ability to afford the next level of products and services desired by our members, leading us to explore a merger.

There are two specific approval processes for this merger, regulatory approval, and membership approval. Both credit unions are awaiting preliminary approval by our regulators, followed by a membership vote and special meeting. Members will receive ballots by mail; once mailed we will add that information here. Once the special meeting date is confirmed, that will be communicated and also will be added here. Upon both regulatory and membership approval the merger will be finalized on an effective date soon thereafter, and then the system integration will take place later this year.

Changing Seasons will be merging into UCU effective later this year, and once the systems for both credit unions are fully integrated, UCU will operate as the resulting institution for members. Additional communications will be forthcoming to ensure you know what to expect.

Members can expect changes to member benefits, and increased offering of products and services as well. Additionally, members will experience changes to their accounts, which are detailed below in the FAQ by product type.

We are currently targeting the merger to be effective for July, and full conversion into UCU for November. There are a series of steps that need to take place to get both credit unions ready, and the timing may adjust slightly based on those steps.

Initially the branch will remain open for a number of months, however we anticipate the branch will close by year end. UCU has multiple locations in the area including at 977 Union St. in Bangor to serve members. This location is less than a 5-mile drive from the Hampden branch.

We are all excited to be staying on and transitioning to UCU. So, we will continue to be the familiar and friendly faces for you, just now at UCU. And the team will only expand with many great and experienced UCU employees there to assist you with all of your needs.

Members can continue to do business with us at our branch in Hampden as well as by phone or online, until the system conversion is complete later in 2024 and the branch is closed. You will receive multiple communications through this process to keep you informed and aware of that timing.

UCU offers shared branching services which can be used at any point to transact on your Changing Seasons account at their location. Additionally, if you wish to open a UCU account in advance of the merger, you are welcome to do so.

Upon conversion, your Changing Seasons account will transfer over to UCU and can be combined to the other account if you choose to only keep one account. Otherwise, you will have two accounts at UCU, each with unique account numbers as your existing UCU account number will not change.

When the time comes later this year, your account will be automatically integrated into UCU. Depending on the products and services you have with Changing Seasons, you may experience some other changes, or need to take action, which will be communicated with you.

There is no action to take at this time (March 2024), and we will be in touch with further communication as it becomes available. The next step will be a membership vote in the coming months.

We will actively update this FAQ page for any updates related to the merger. UCU will do the same on their website at www.ucumaine.com.

We anticipate members will vote during the May/June timeframe. When that occurs, members will receive ballots and information by mail. That information will also include the time and date of our special meeting.

For any additional questions, please call us to talk to the Changing Seasons team at 207-945-6264 or 1-800-974-4475.

We anticipate the merger being complete in July. From there, we will take a few months to complete our system conversions to UCU.

Later this year, you will receive a new UCU Account number. We have a plan in place to make sure we can make that as seamless as possible for members, with a slight extension of digits on your existing Changing Seasons number.

Yes, your account will be associated with UCU’s routing number.

Yes, members will need new checks when the conversion occurs to UCU. We will assist in providing details on how to order the new checks as we approach the time to do so.

Members will be issued a new UCU debit card towards the end of the year upon conversion.

Current member loans will remain as they are, rates and payments will remain in accordance with your loan agreement and generally, loan terms will not change. Refer to your loan agreement for further information, and you will receive communication if there are minor changes in your terms.

Continue to pay your loans as you do today; when the time comes later in 2024 you will have ample notice and details on the many convenient options to make payments to UCU.

Members can apply for loans with Changing Seasons or start to move their business over to UCU. You can open a membership at UCU today, and applying online with UCU is available for all loan types.

Members can continue to open loans and accounts with Changing Seasons until system conversions are complete. We will provide information of a specific date later in 2024.

Until the merger and system conversions are complete, Changing Seasons account transactions at UCU will be via shared branching. Members are welcome to open a UCU account at any point.

UCU does not charge POS fees. This fee will go away later in 2024 after the merger is completed.

The Hampden branch hours will remain unchanged until the branch is closed in late 2024.

Yes, UCU membership is open to most counties in Maine in addition to a variety of groups. More information can be found at ucumaine.com.

Members can move direct deposit to UCU once their new account is established, later in 2024 as you receive your new extended account number.

Upon conversion to UCU, you will transition to UCU’s Digital Banking platform. This will require an easy registration process. From there, you can download and login to the UCU Mobile App.

Members can expect the same high level of service and care that you’ve come to expect from Changing Seasons once we merge with UCU.

The terms of existing share certificates will not change. New share certificate options will be available at UCU.

Members should plan to download or print the most recent 18 months of statements for their own records. However, UCU will be ensuring balances transition appropriately as systems merge and that process will be audited to confirm accuracy.

Visit ucumaine.com for a full experience of member benefits, products and services.

Kasasa Rewards Checking, earn cash back or really high rewards

Kasasa protect – identity protection and support

Full lending support in house for consumer loans: auto, recreational, credit card, personal loan, linebacker, credit builder and more; real estate loans and business lending.

Convenient locations across the state of Maine participating in the surf network and COOP shared branching. Ucumaine.com/locations

Member Business Services

Wealth Management Services