Glendale's Credit Union West and Desert Medical Federal Credit Union, based in Scottsdale, have agreed to merge operations following recent approval from the Desert Medical Federal Credit Union membership and board of directors.

The combined entity will be called Credit Union West once the merger is completed, which is projected to take place Dec 1.

Credit Union West is one of the largest credit unions in the Southwest. For 65 years, it has served the employees, family members and retirees of the Luke Air Force Base community in Glendale and has recently grown to serve the employee families of the John C. Lincoln Health Network and other regional health care providers.

“This is a win-win situation for both Credit Union West and Desert Medical Federal Credit Union’s members, and the HonorHealth network,” Bob MacGregor, president and CEO of Credit Union West, said. “This merger makes sense for a number of reasons. First, it is synergistic with our legacy of serving the health care professional community. Second, we will realize increased economies of scale helping reduce our costs and strengthening our financial value proposition to our members. And third, we will increase our presence and access for our members in the east valley where HonorHealth network operates.”