Merger Animates new Disney Credit Union

BURBANK, Calif. – NCUA said Friday it has approved the combination of the two Disney Co. credit unions, Partners FCU and Vista FCU, creating a credit union giant to serve Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Winnie the Pooh–or at least the actors who play them. The credit union, which will retain the Vista name, will serve employees of both Disney World, in Anaheim, Calif., and DisneyLand, in Orlando, Fla., as well as Disney Studios, the Disney cable TV channel and hundreds of select groups that do business with the Disney Co. The combined credit union of $750 million in assets and 100,000 members will be run out of Burbank, the headquarters of the much larger Vista and near the offices of the Disney Co., and retain the Vista name. John Janclaes, CEO of the $500 million Vista, will head the combined entity, while Partners FCU President Penny Tonn will help with transition and retire in July 2008. Vista was started in 1960 out of a trailer on the Disney Studio Lot Burbank. Partners was chartered in 1968 at the request of a group of Disneyland park employees.