ATLANTA — It's a road Delta Community Credit Union has been downbefore.

Speculation is swirling yet again that Delta Air Lines may beconsidering a merger, this time with Minnesota-based NorthwestAirlines. On Jan. 19, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, citingunnamed sources, reported that a deal between the two was imminent.Both carriers have not confirmed or denied merging. However, DeltaCEO Richard Anderson did tell the company's employees thatconsolidation is an option, according to a Jan. 22 Bloombergarticle. Northwest CEO Doug Steenland said in a memo to workers thesame day that the airline must “consider the options available tous.”

Meanwhile, the $2.5 billion Delta Community CU, which has servedthe airline for nearly 70 years, is prepared to deal with whateverthe future holds.

“We stand ready to meet the financial needs of Delta's employeesnow and in the future regardless of the outcome of the currentmerger discussions,” said Todd Marksberry, executive vice presidentand chief operating officer at Delta Community CU. “We have proudlysupported Delta and its employees for more than 60 years [and] wehave made adjustments to our own business strategy along the way tomaintain our financial strength and independence as economic andmarket conditions evolve.”

Some of those adjustments included a name change in 2005 fromDelta Employees Credit Union to its current moniker. The new brandwas a reflection of the credit union's growing expansion to servingbeyond its Delta Air Lines sponsor to more than 100 select employeegroups and ten counties in Georgia. Since its name change, DeltaCommunity CU has built several branches and now has a total of ninein the Atlanta area with another three scheduled for completion bythis summer. Members are also served at branches in Salt Lake City,Southlake, Texas, Florence, Ky., and Cincinnati.

A strong capital base and solid financial results in 2007 helpedthe credit union recently reward its membership with $10 million individends and interest rebates. The Patronage Dividend amounted tobonus payments to members of 7.50% of calendar 2007 dividends paid.The Patronage Refund represented 5.50% of the loan interest paid bymembers in 2007. These funds were taken directly from the creditunion's capital account, according to Delta Community CU. Over thepast three years, members have received more than $20 million individends.

On. Jan. 2, the credit union unveiled a new logo that conveys amessage of forward movement but still remembering the past. Thelogo is an evolution of the original Delta triangle and honors thecredit union's heritage as Delta Air Lines' employee credit unionfounded 68 years ago by eight Delta employees. The blue in Deltapays homage to the credit union's Delta history and the greenrepresents the communities it now serves and future growthopportunities. An overlapping, translucent triangle-inspired shaperepresents wings. The logo will be phased in over the next fewmonths.

“With this mark, Delta Community acknowledges the origins offlight but also looks ahead to the possibility and progress thatflight represents,” said Mary Olson, vice president of marketing.“The new logo conveys growth, progress and movement, which are keyto the welcoming yet contemporary personality of DeltaCommunity.”

In 2006, Delta Community CU found itself in the midst of ahostile takeover bid between Delta Air Lines and US Airways. Aftermonths of back and forth discussions and two, separatemulti-billion dollar offers, US Airways eventually withdrew itsfinal $10 billion bid. At the time Rick Foley, president/CEO ofDelta Community CU, applauded Delta Air Lines for standing firm inremaining independent. The carrier emerged from Chapter 11bankruptcy protection in early 2007.

Marksberry said Delta Air Lines, like other companies, may bethinking about long-term options for sustainability.

“As any company does over time, we believe Delta is consideringsuch a transaction as part of its ongoing effort to keep itsbusiness strong, and this should ultimately benefit the company'semployees as well as the communities where it operates,” Marksberrysaid.

The $1.8 billion Wings Financial CU, which was originallychartered to serve Northwest Airlines, did not want to comment on“speculation about what might or might not happen.” In 2007, WingsFinancial expanded its membership through partnerships with fourairline carriers.

Marksberry said Delta Air Lines is doing as much as it can tokeep employees informed.

“Delta's management team has done a great job of keeping itsemployees as well as the general public up to speed on itspotential merger with another airline, and we know nothing morethan what has been shared publicly to date,” Marksberry said.

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