Welcome Credit Union Advantage Members!
Welcome Credit Union Advantage Members!
Welcome to Zeal Credit Union
We are a full-service, member-owned, not-for-profit institution committed to serving the financial needs of our members. When we started out in 1954, our vision was simple, but our core has remained the same – to provide outstanding service to the hardworking Americans we serve. Thanks to you, we now have so many great things in store for the future.
We continue to remain dedicated to helping achieve our members’ long-term financial goals and enjoy the moments that make life worth living! We are excited you’ve joined us and hope you’ll take advantage of all we have to offer.
Top 10 Frequently Asked Questions
If your question isn’t in the Top 10 list above, don’t worry! We have more information coming soon (mid-August) that will go into the merger updates in more detail.
How can I get more information about the merger and Zeal Credit Union (Credit Union Advantage into Zeal Credit Union)?
Zeal Credit Union is a mission-driven, Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and a full-service, not-for-profit financial cooperative serving approximately 67,000 members at 12 full-service branch locations in the Metro Detroit area with $825 million in assets. Zeal CU member deposits are insured to $250,000 by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), a US government agency. For more information, visit www.ZealCU.org.
All important information regarding the merger of Credit Union Advantage (CUA) into Zeal Credit Union will be included on our website and Welcome CUA landing page here (www.ZealCU.org/Welcome-Credit-Union-Advantage), as it becomes available. At this time, you will have received at least two direct mail / email correspondences from Zeal Credit Union with information about key upcoming changes. All previous communication samples can be accessed at “Copies of Conversion Disclosures & Mailings” by scrolling down on this page.
Why has Credit Union Advantage (CUA) decided to merge into Zeal Credit Union?
The effective legal merger of Credit Union Advantage into Zeal Credit Union happened on January 1, 2025. After this date, CUA became a Division of Zeal Credit Union and are officially one entity for legal-purposes. Full data conversion of all CUA systems into the existing Zeal CU system will take place on Saturday, August 30, 2025.
This partnership is a proactive step by two financially sound institutions to capitalize on their strengths and position the new organization to move into the future. As we look to the future, combining forces will allow us to better provide you with new and innovative services. The partnership will enable the Credit Union to utilize benefits from the merger and return those benefits to you in the form of low-rate loans, competitive rates on savings, increased services and additional locations for members’ convenience. Both credit unions are financially strong, and each has capital that is more than what is required by our regulatory agencies.
The merger with Zeal CU will benefit the members of Credit Union Advantage by adding branch locations, expanding products and services, and increasing convenience!
More branches providing more member convenience! Zeal Credit Union has branches in Allen Park, Dearborn, Detroit, Livonia, Lyon Crossing, Southfield, Southgate, Taylor, Walled Lake, Westland and Woodhaven. Faster delivery means better service! Being part of a larger credit union will improve our ability to deliver service to you: Implementing new services faster, more effectively responding to your needs. It will provide us with more resources to be the credit union that you deserve!
When will CUA officially dissolve into Zeal CU?
Final data conversion of CUA files/systems into Zeal Credit Union will take place on Saturday, August 30, 2025. At this time, all CUA members will officially become Zeal Credit Union members and will be able to access all Zeal Credit Union products, services, and branches.
Will CUA’s Southfield (Providence Dr) Branch remain open?
Yes! We intend on keeping CUA’s original branch in Southfield on Providence Dr open and available to our membership. There will also be no immediate changes to the branch hours as well, through the end of 2025. Credit Union Advantage’s Southfield – Providence branch will, however, close on Monday, October 13th, for Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
Will my account number change, post-conversion?
Possibly. While not all converted CUA members will have account number changes, many members will have a new Account and Member Number for their Zeal CU account(s). Keep an eye on your mailbox this August for communications from Zeal Credit Union that will include information about any applicable account changes.
Will my loans be sold to third-party loan companies during the conversion?
No. Converted CUA members with loan products will have these products placed into existing Zeal Credit Union loan products. This means that you will continue to have all products serviced in the same fashion as you have become accustomed. Mortgage/Home Loans will continue to be serviced through The Mortgage Center. Credit Cards will stay as-is for the foreseeable future with changes coming in 2026. All other loans will be serviced directly within Zeal Credit Union as expected.
Will I need to order new checks for my new Zeal account?
Not immediately. Converted CUA members will be able to continue using their existing, CUA checks post-conversion at the end of August. In September, we will reach out to members and encourage them to bring in their previous CUA checks in exchange for a batch of free Zeal CU checks. Stay tuned for more information about this check swap! Once these have been used, members will be able to order checks using the online portal to our check vendor, Harland Clarke, by selecting “Personal” on ZealCU.org’s top banner, “Tools” and then “Check Reordering.”
When can I enroll in Online/Mobile Banking with Zeal?
Great question! You can pre-enroll in Zeal’s Online and Mobile Banking now! Simply select “Enroll in Online Banking” under the login module on ZealCU.org – but will not be able to fully log in or transact within this platform until final data conversion. Pre-enrollment is available between now and August 29, 2025. Members will be able to log in and access their Online/Mobile Banking with Zeal beginning on August 30, 2025.
When can I start using Zeal CU branches?
All converted CUA members will be able to start transacting on their account(s) at any Zeal CU branch (or by calling Zeal CU or utilizing Online/Mobile Banking) beginning Saturday, August 30, 2025. Due to the timing of Labor Day Weekend, we encourage converted members to begin reaching out to the Zeal team on Tuesday, September 2nd.
Can I still use my Credit Union Advantage (CUA) ATM, Debit, and/or Credit Cards?
CUA members with existing ATM and/or Debit Cards will be able to continue using these cards through August 29, 2025 at 5pm EST. At this time, all CUA ATM/Debit Cards will be deactivated.
On August 30, 2025, converted members will be able to activate their new Zeal ATM and/or Debit Card(s) and begin using them (once activated). More specific information on timing of this change to follow.
All existing Credit Cards with CUA will continue to work as intended through the end of the year. Please continue using your card as usual – there will be no updates, changes, or reissuances at this time. If you need assistance with your CUA Credit Card, please call the number on the back of the card. In 2026, Zeal will revisit the credit portfolio and begin transitioning these to the Zeal CU system. More information will follow.
Merger Timeline
Read on below for the major milestones to expect during the merger of Credit Union Advantage (CUA) into Zeal Credit Union.
January 1, 2025:
After approval from ALCO and the Board of Directors for both Credit Union Advantage (CUA) and Zeal Credit Union, 01/01/2025 became the official legal merger date. Credit Union Advantage became a Division of Zeal Credit Union and all CUA assets are now officially Zeal Credit Union assets.
February – July:
Credit Union Advantage and Zeal Credit Union came together to form a Merger Team full of subject matter experts from both institutions who continue to ensure the process moves forward smoothly.
Mid-July:
CUA members received a major disclosure packet in the mail that included their Membership Agreement packet, Discretionary Overdraft Protection Disclosure, Product Conversion / Service Deconversion Notices, and a form (plus postage-paid envelope) to Decline or Opt-In to Zeal’s Discretionary Overdraft service.
August 8, 2025:
New Debit/ATM cards have been ordered for all converting CUA accounts. These will be mailed directly to members. Please note that Joint Accountholders will not automatically receive a Debit/ATM card and will need to request one, if needed.
August 26, 2025:
Zelle and Bill Pay at CUA will be discontinued and will be shut down on this day.
August 29, 2025:
Friday, August 29th is the last day CUA will be on their own system.
At the end of the business day, CUA’s Online and Mobile Banking will be shut down, along with the VRU program. At 5pm (EST), All CUA Debit/ATM Cards will be Blocked.
August 30, 2025:
On Saturday, August 30th, final data conversion takes place! At this time, all converted members are now part of Zeal Credit Union and members can begin transacting at any of Zeal’s 13 branch locations (Allen Park, Dearborn, Detroit, Livonia – Middlebelt, Livonia – Newburgh, Lyon Crossing, Southfield, Southfield – Providence, Southgate, Taylor, Walled Lake, Westland, and Woodhaven). Newly-Mailed Zeal Debit/ATM Cards will be Unblocked and can be activated/utilized.
Copies of Conversion Disclosures & Mailers
June 2, 2025: CUA/Zeal Merger – Welcome Letter #1
June 12, 2025: CUA/Zeal Merger – Welcome Follow-Up Email #1
July 14, 2025: CUA/Zeal Merger – Welcome Letter #2
July 14, 2025: Membership Agreement Disclosure Packet
Discretionary Overdraft Protection Disclosure
Product Conversion / Service Deconversion Notice
Overdrafts and Overdraft Fees Explanation (with 1-page CUA Merger Form)
July 17, 2025: CUA/Zeal Merger – Welcome Follow-Up Email #2
Have a Question (that’s not listed above)?
We get it! Mergers lead to a lot of questions. If your question isn’t in the Frequently Asked Questions section above, feel free to fill out the form below! Our talented team of specialists will review your inquiry and each out via phone or email with an answer. Best of all, your question may be added to the FAQ on this page to help others!
If your question is time-sensitive, please reach out directly to the CUA Southfield – Providence team by calling (248) 996-0385 or visiting the branch in person.
Please note: The Zeal CU team does NOT have access to any CUA account information or details until after the 08/30/2025 final data conversion.
