Delta/Northwest Merger Message

Dear Members,

As you’re aware, Northwest Airlines and Delta Air Lines have announced their intent to merge their two companies.  The resulting airline will be the largest in the world.  I’ll be sorry, like many of you, to see the “red tail” disappear from the sky because our organization grew up with Northwest Airlines.  Wings Financial was founded by seven Northwest Airlines employees in St. Paul, Minnesota in 1938. I believe, however, that this merger creates a tremendous opportunity for Wings Financial.  We’ll be exposed to thousands of potential new members each with the opportunity to bring their financial services needs to Wings Financial.

Your Board of Directors had the foresight to diversify this organization beyond Northwest Airlines first, with the addition of family membership and second, with the expansion of our charter to serve the entire air transportation industry.  Since expanding our charter, Wings Financial has continued to grow.   Our membership consists of employees of more than 35 different airlines and more than 80 different air transportation companies and government agencies.

I’d like to remind those Northwest Airlines employees that “once a member, always a member” meaning that Wings Financial can serve you even if you no longer are employed in the airline industry.  If job relocation forces you to move, Wings Financial can serve you as well.  Our convenient Remote Deposit service allows you to get instant credit for check deposits through our online banking service no matter where you are.  Our ATM network is second to none offering 55,000 surcharge-free ATMs across the country including those in Target stores, Walgreens, CVS, Costco and more. 

I believe we’re very well positioned to capitalize on the opportunities this merger may bring.  We’re fortunate to have opened a brand new office in Atlanta in late 2006.  This office already brings in a great deal of new business.  In fact, in terms of new members, it consistently ranks among our most productive offices.  Our Atlanta office is a short distance from Delta Air Lines headquarters and is adjacent to the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.  It is well located to serve the employees of the new combined carrier.

Wings Financial continues to grow both in membership and in assets.  With 119,000 members nationwide and nearly $2 billion in assets, we’re financially strong and one of the largest credit unions in the country.  We expect 2008 to be another strong year for Wings Financial both financially and in terms of new members.

We have no intention of changing any of our office operations at the present time.  While that may change as the merger process progresses, we will keep you well informed of our plans as they develop.

As a member-owner, we’re here to serve you.  If you have any questions or concerns as the merger process moves forward, please stop in one of our 17 offices nationwide or call us at 800 692-2274.  

We’ll do our absolute best to help you in whatever way we can.

Sincerely,

Paul V. Parish
President/CEO