The primary reason for this strategic and collaborative merger is to leverage a larger pool of resources to provide even greater value to our employees, our members and our communities than we could as separate organizations. We want to build a regional credit union leader that can continue to offer the best service, products and technologies to our members.

MCU and PMCU boards were seeking a partner that matched each organization’s core values, passion, financial strength, dedication and loyalty to employees, members and the communities each served. In addition, both boards, CEOs and leadership teams maintain a common vision for the future of the combined credit union going forward.

Meritrust Credit Union. In 1935, seven pioneers from Stearman Aircraft Company in Wichita, Kansas, organized and chartered a credit union for its employees. From there, membership grew to include employees of Boeing, their suppliers and, in time, Spirit AeroSystems. In nine decades, we’ve expanded our mission, our team, and our membership. With a legacy rooted in aviation, Meritrust proudly serves over 118,000 members within the Wichita, Manhattan and Lawrence communities and throughout the Midwest. Meritrust assets exceed $1.9 billion and serves our members with 14 branches and over 350 employees. As a member owned cooperative, Meritrust serves a broader purpose that emphasizes the financial health and wellbeing of its employees and members.

Premier Members Credit Union. In 2015, Premier Members Credit Union and Boulder Valley Credit Union joined forces in a “merger of equals” to form a new credit union under the Premier Members Credit Union brand. Headquartered in Broomfield, Colorado, with assets exceeding $1.7 billion, 19 branches and nearly 300 employees, they put their 78,000 members first. Premier Members Credit Union provides modern technology with unmatched service while keeping a strong focus on uplifting communities.

In September of 2024, both credit union boards approved and signed a merger agreement. Members were notified in October of 2024 of the intent to merge to ensure they were well-informed about the upcoming changes. In May 2025, we received regulatory approval for the merger from the National Credit Union Administration. Meritrust Credit Union members were invited to participate in a member vote to approve the integration. This vote in favor of the merger ended on July 28, 2025. August 1, 2025 marked Legal Day One – the first day of the new era of the merged credit unions. System integrations of these two entities are ongoing.

James Nastars, Co-CEO, and Carlos Pacheco, Co-CEO, lead the combined organization.

Meet James Nastars
Mr. Nastars served as CEO/President of Meritrust for 12 years and in 2025, following a strategic merger between Meritrust Credit Union and Premier Members Credit Union, assumed the role and is currently serving as Co-CEO at Meritrust. He brings more than 35 years of experience in credit unions and community banking. He earned his Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and his MBA from the University of Texas at Austin.

Within the Wichita community, he currently serves on the board of Kansas Big Brothers/Big Sisters, the Greater Wichita Partnership’s Executive Advisory Board, the WSU Foundation and Alumni Engagement National Advisory Board as well as the Kansas State University Institute for Personal Financial Planning Advisory Board. Within the credit union industry, Mr. Nastars serves on the Board of CU NextGen Technologies, and as Board Chair of MEMBERS Development Corporation (MDC), the credit union’s research and development consortium.

Meet Carlos Pacheco
In 2025, following a strategic merger between Meritrust Credit Union and Premier Members Credit Union, Mr. Pacheco assumed the role and is currently serving as Co-CEO at Meritrust. He brings more than 35 years of financial services experience, including serving as CEO/President of Premier Members Credit Union for 14 years. He serves in a variety of leadership roles in both for-profit and not-for-profits financial sectors. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix.

Mr. Pacheco also remains active in the community, serving on the boards of the Better Business Bureau of the Great West & Pacific, Mile High United Way, Impact on Education Boulder, as well as the Board of Directors of Alloya Corporate Federal Credit Union. He also dedicates his time and talent to Junior Achievement USA Programs.

Yes. The combined 14-member board is represented by 7 members from PMCU and 7 members from MCU.

After thoroughly weighing the benefits of each charter, the combined board voted in favor of maintaining the Colorado state charter for the new credit union. The main reason for choosing the Colorado state charter was the flexibility for growing membership and the ease of expanding into other areas.

The legal name of the new credit union will be Meritrust Credit Union.

Because the new credit union operates under the Colorado state charter, the headquarters is in Colorado. The current PMCU headquarters in Broomfield, Colorado, will be considered the corporate headquarters of the united organization for reporting purposes. Each current headquarters are referred to as the Colorado Administration Offices and the Kansas Administration Offices. Expect the same level of local service and decisions that have always set us apart.

No, none of our existing branches will close as a result of the merger.

We are committed to supporting our communities in both Colorado and Kansas and will continue to support all members across our expanded field of membership.

While the merger may result in changes to product offerings or operational procedures, the fundamental protections for member accounts will remain intact throughout the transition. We continue to be federally insured by the NCUA.

No. The rates on fixed rate loans and certificates would remain the same until the end of their existing terms. Other products would adjust as normal due to market conditions.

All members will have access to a wider range of financial products and services after the merger. Combining product suites allows us to offer more products and services members find valuable. Watch for more information about products and services expansion in the coming months.

Yes. Member deposits will continue to be federally insured by the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund (NCUSIF). Information regarding NCUA insurance and a calculator to help determine your coverage is available at www.mycreditunion.gov/estimator

Member service will not immediately experience any impacts since full system integration will not occur for several months. Our goal is to continue to deliver an exceptional member experience through the entire transition and keep members informed in advance of any changes to our products and services. Certain system conversions will have a short-term impact on member service, but we will work hard to minimize those disruptions.

No employees will lose their job because of the merger.