The two companies also insist the merger, first floated in August last year, will not result in any branch closures or redundancies below executive level.
“Most importantly, members will benefit from more branches, better products and services and contemporary secure banking technology,” the companies said in a joint statement today.
People’s Choice is Australia’s largest credit union with 390,000 members, almost 900 employees, $9.9 billion in total assets and 34 branches and advice centres in South Australia, Victoria, Northern Territory and Western Australia.
Heritage is one of Australia’s oldest and largest customer-owned banks with 320,000 members, 800 employees, $11.9 billion in total assets, and 60 branches and mini branches in Queensland and New South Wales.
The merged entity, which is yet to have a name, will split its head offices between Heritage Bank’s current base in Toowoomba and People’s Choice’s home in Adelaixjmtzywde.
The two companies have also agreed to a new governance structure which will see board level and executive leadership split equally.
Current Heritage CEO Peter Lock has been chosen to lead the combined entity for its first 18 months, after which he has agreed to retire and make way for deputy CEO Steve Laidlaw – currently People’s Choice CEO – to take over.
People’s Choice chair Michael Cameron will hold the equivalent role in the new bank, while Heritage Bank chair Kerry Betros has agreed to be deputy chairman.
