Fortera Credit Union and Vanderbilt Credit Union have completed the merger process making Vanderbilt Credit Union a part of the Fortera organization effective October 1, 2026. Vanderbilt Credit Union will retain its name and brand identity, while operating as a division of Fortera Federal Credit Union.
The unique partnership preserves Vanderbilt Credit Union’s heritage while adding Fortera’s scale and technology to better serve the Vanderbilt University and Vanderbilt Health communities. The combined entity will have over $1 billion in assets and more than 88,000 members worldwide. Operational integration among the credit unions is expected to be complete by end of 2027.
“We’re excited to have completed the merger and to begin this next chapter as a division of Fortera Credit Union. We’re grateful to our members and the communities that have supported Vanderbilt, and we look forward to all we can accomplish together” said Mario Avila, board chair, Vanderbilt Credit Union and Assistant Professor of the Practice of Management at the Owen Graduate School of Management at Vanderbilt University. Avila is slated to continue his involvement while serving as member of the Fortera Credit Union Board of Directors.
“We’re honored to welcome the Vanderbilt community to the Fortera family. The trust our members have placed in both credit unions means a great deal to us, and we look forward to building on those relationships together,” said Jennifer Ventimiglia, president and CEO of Fortera Credit Union. “Together, we’ll continue to evolve our products, tools and services, expand innovation and offer even more to both membership groups.”
About Fortera Credit Union
Originally chartered in 1954 to serve families of the United States Army Base at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, Fortera Credit Union expanded as a full-service financial cooperative serving thousands of members worldwide. Membership is available through qualifying employment, residency, family relationships, or association membership. For those who qualify through an association, Fortera covers the membership fee, making membership open to virtually anyone.
About Vanderbilt Credit Union
Started in the basement of Kirkland Hall in 1959, the Vanderbilt Credit Union (VCU) has grown into a full-service financial institution serving the faculty and staW of Vanderbilt University, the staW of VUMC, Vanderbilt University Alumni, and Vanderbilt University students. With a location on the Vanderbilt University campus at 2900 Vanderbilt Place and second location oW the main lobby of the Vanderbilt University Hospital in Nashville, VCU is focused on meeting the banking needs of the Vanderbilt Community.
