The decision was made after strong support was shown from members at a meeting held late last week.

The merge, which will go ahead from September 1, will create one of Australia’s largest credit unions with assets of $600 million, 25 branches and more than 60,000 members.

For the amalgamation to be approved the credit unions needed at least 75 per cent of members on board.

New England Credit Union chairman Michael Dennis said there was 97 per cent support at the meeting.

“The merger is going to take place,” Mr Dennis said.

“There is still a fair amount of work that needs to be done before September 1, but we have put plans in place to how that is all going to happen.”

All branches will remain open and members will not notice any immediate changes.

In the future, members are expected to benefit from a wider range of products including commercial lending options, visa debit and credit cards.

The New England Credit Union is based in Armidale and has branches throughout the New England and North West including Inverell.

The Orana Credit Union is based in Narromine and has branches in Cobar, Coonabarabran, Dubbo and Trangie.