Illinois Code § 64.7

§ 64.7.

Network credit unions. (a) Two or more credit unions merging pursuant to Section 63 of this Act may elect to request a network credit union designation for the surviving credit union from the Secretary. The request shall be set forth in the plan of merger and certificate of merger executed by the credit unions and submitted to the Secretary pursuant to subsection (4) of Section 63. The Secretary's approval of a certificate of merger containing a network credit union designation request shall constitute approval of the use of the network designation as a brand or other identifier of the surviving credit union. If the surviving credit union desires to include the network designation in its legal name, make any other change to its legal name, or both, it shall proceed with an amendment to the articles of incorporation and bylaws of the surviving credit union pursuant to Section 4 of this Act. (b) A network credit union is a cooperative business structure comprised of 2 or more merging credit unions with a collective goal of efficiently serving their combined membership and gaining economies of scale through common vision, strategy and initiative. The merging credit unions shall be identified as divisional credit unions, branches, or units of the network credit union or by other descriptive references that ensure the members understand they are dealing with one credit union rather than multiple credit unions. Descriptive and brand references may also be created and used to promote the identity, services, and products of the network credit union to its members. (c) Each divisional credit union may have an advisory board of directors and a chief management official to assist in maintaining and leveraging its respective local identity for the benefit of the surviving credit union. The divisional credit union advisory boards shall be appointed by the network credit union board of directors. Each divisional credit union's advisory board of directors may appoint a divisional credit union chief management official and may also appoint one of its directors to serve on the network credit union's nominating committee. A divisional credit union may determine to identify its advisory board as a committee and its divisional chief management official with a title it deems reasonable and appropriate. The network credit union board of directors shall require each advisory board member to sign a confidentiality or non-disclosure agreement to ensure that information concerning the credit union remains confidential. (d) The network credit union is the surviving legal entity in the merger and supervision, examination, audit, reporting, governance, and management shall be conducted or performed at the network credit union level. All share insurance, safety and soundness, and statutory and regulatory requirements and limitations shall be evaluated at the network credit union level. (Source: P.A. 102-496, eff. 8-20-21.)