Branch Transformation

Credit union merger brings ATMs, financial services to artistic communities

Credit union mergers are on the rise. Take a deep dive into Cardinal Credit Union's acquisition of Noteworthy Federal Credit Union and how it will benefit the artistic community commuity in Ohio.

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June 15, 2026 by Bradley Cooper — Editor, Connect Media

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Credit union mergers have been on a major growth curve in the past decade. According to data from Credit Unions.com, credit union size has grown by 186% from 2015 to 2025, with a merger rate of 3.7% in 2025. The average asset size of these merged credit unions is also increasing, to $66.3 million in 2025, up from $45.8 million in 2024.

These mergers can bring together very different member bases, with different financial needs. This is the case for the recent merger between Cardinal Credit Union and Noteworthy Federal Credit Union.

Based in Ohio, Cardinal Credit Union initially began as a way to support employees of the Mentor Public School System in northeastern Ohio, but now serves many different communities. Noteworthy Federal Credit Union has a particular focus on musicians and artists living in Cleveland.

The combined credit union will operate under the Cardinal Credit Union brand, and will include access to a variety of financial tools including mortgages, loans and a surcharge-free ATM network. In addition, the credit union will be able to offer services throughout the U.S. through Cardinal's charter.

ATM Marketplace reached out to Christine Blake, CEO of Cardinal Credit Union, via an email interview to learn more.

Q: What are the primary geographic areas that Cardinal and NoteWorthy cover?

Blake: Cardinal and NoteWorthy primarily serve the Ashtabula, Columbiana, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Mahoning, Portage, Summit, and Trumbull county areas in Ohio. However, under Cardinal's charter, the credit union can also serve members nationwide. All individuals and businesses are welcome to join Cardinal.

Q: Can you give a little bit of history on both of the credit unions?

Blake: Cardinal Credit Union was founded in 1953 to serve employees of the Mentor Public School System, reflecting a common mid-20th-century model where credit unions were formed around workplaces or institutions. Since then, the credit union has expanded its mission to serve all individuals and businesses located in northeastern Ohio to provide a broad range of financial products and services, while serving their community by providing financial education for youth. Today, Cardinal is the official credit union of the Cleveland Browns.

NoteWorthy Federal Credit Union was founded in 1960 in Cleveland to provide accessible, member-focused services with a commitment to supporting the financial needs of the musician and artist communities. NoteWorthy caters to this community and specializes in musical instrument lending to organizations around the U.S.

Q: What sets them apart on a branding level?

Blake:NoteWorthy is focused on the artistic community and markets their services to musicians and artists in the U.S., while Cardinal is open to all businesses and individuals in northeastern Ohio and offers a complete range of financial products and services along with financial counseling. Cardinal is also the official credit union of the Cleveland Browns and partners with five area high schools and Lakeland Community College to provide financial education classes and operate in-school branches run by students.

Q: What services will they offer to the music and art scene?

Blake: NoteWorthy offers specialized loans for musical instruments and, now in combination with Cardinal, will offer a broader range of attractive loans for home and auto, VISA credit cards, checking and savings accounts, CDs, debt-consolidation loans, mortgages and more.

Q: What ATM network does Cardinal use and what sort of services do they offer?

Blake: Cardinal offers a nationwide network of ATM machines, so that members can easily access cash and perform other transactions when away from home. Members can also perform additional functions using their Cardinal app.

Q: How will the combined credit union ensure a smooth transition for members?

Blake: NoteWorthy members have been notified in advance about the combination and will receive continuous updates so that the transition is seamless. NoteWorthy members can expect:

The same personal service they trust in the same location.
Convenient digital banking tools.
Expanded products and financial solutions.
Continued commitment to their financial success.

Q: What sort of services does the credit union offer on the branch level?

Blake: Cardinal offers a full complement of banking services at the branch level. From loans to financial counseling, members can easily get help with their financial questions and all of their transactions.

About Bradley Cooper

Bradley Cooper is an experienced editor for Connect Media. He has written across a wide range of beats, ranging from food to digital signage to banking, and is the current editor of ATM Marketplace and Food Truck Operator. His background is in information technology, advertising, and writing. When he’s not crafting a story, you can find him going for a run or spending time with his wife and three sons.

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