VyStar becomes 13th largest U.S. credit union with purchase of Georgia commercial bank

The pending deal expands the Jacksonville-based organization to 850,000 members and $12.5 billion in assets.


  • By Mark Basch
  • | 6:49 p.m. March 31, 2021
  • | 5 Free Articles Remaining!
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VyStar Credit Union announced March 31 its second acquisition of a commercial bank in the last two years, agreeing to buy Jonesboro, Georgia-based Heritage Southeast Bank.

Heritage has 22 branches in the Atlanta, Savannah and Southeast Georgia markets.

Jacksonville-based Vystar said the acquisition will make it the 13th largest credit union in the country with 850,000 members, 88 branches and $12.5 billion in assets.

VyStar did not say how much it is paying to buy the Georgia bank, but Heritage said its shareholders will receive cash after its parent company’s debt and other obligations are paid.

The Heritage deal follows VyStar’s 2019 acquisition of Perry-based Citizens State Bank, which had four Florida branches.

VyStar CEO Brian Wolfburg said in a news release the credit union is searching for partnerships that can bring credit union membership to more people.

“HSB has exceeded our expectations as the optimal partner to help us expand our footprint and ensure financial services are accessible to more Georgia residents,” he said.

VyStar expects to close the deal later this year.

 

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