Marine purchase of Old National Bank will be official soon

Old National building for sale, 3 branch employees retained

By Correne Martin

Marine Credit Union has provided financial services for clients in the Prairie du Chien area since 2001. Having grown its customer base in the market, Marine feels the community is a great place to further expand. Its recent regulatory approval to acquire the local Old National Bank branch validates that commitment.

This means the Old National Bank branch, at 600 E. Blackhawk Ave., in Prairie du Chien, will permanently shut down at the close of business on Friday, Oct. 26. Then, on Monday, Oct. 29, former Old National customers will begin banking at Marine Credit Union, which is located at 1415 S. Marquette Rd.

“All Old National accounts will be converted to Marine. We’re working really hard to make that transition as smooth as possible,” stated Katie Tolokken, senior vice-president of corporate operations at Marine. “We’ll be working behind the scenes to ensure as little action as possible for Old National clients.”

Tolokken explained that mailings for debit cards, checks and other member essentials have been sent out to Old National customers in the period leading up to the changeover. 

Upon consolidation, the former Old National building will be listed for sale, she said. The three employees there, including manager Ember Martin, will join the Prairie du Chien Marine Credit Union team. 

“We’re very excited that the current Old National customers will see familiar faces when we open together as Marine on Oct. 29,” said Michael Quam, local Marine branch manager. 

Tolokken agreed, “They can expect to see the same faces in addition to more helping hands.”

To accommodate the added customer base in Prairie du Chien, the Marine Credit Union office hours will expand, effective Oct. 29. 

Hours will be: 

•Drive-up—8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday; 

•Lobby—9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, except Wednesday, which is 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Online services will be unavailable for transitional customers from Oct. 26-29. 

Marine Credit Union first announced a purchase agreement in April this year to acquire 10 Old National Bank branches in Wisconsin. Prairie du Chien is part of the acquisition that becomes official Oct. 26, along with those branches in Chippewa Falls, Columbus, Dodgeville, Eau Claire, Lancaster, Monroe, New Glarus, Platteville and Stanley.

Under the terms of the agreement, Marine acquires an estimated 16,000 customers and approximately $274 million in deposits. The credit union grows to 38 branches, serving more than 93,000 members across Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota.

The credit union started in Prairie du Chien in 2001 as Advantage Credit Union, located at 1100 S. Marquette Rd. It has now been Marine Credit Union for over 10 years, and it’s served members at its current location since 2014, Tolokken said.

According to Marine’s mission, the credit union “is built upon the strong belief that members are more than a credit score, and [is] committed to providing financial services to all members of the community—including those with past financial challenges.”

In announcing the transition, Marine said it plans to continue its “long-standing tradition of delivering personalized lending solutions to fit members’ individual needs.”