11/17/09 - RP® Financial, LC. has entered into a strategic relationship with ALM First Financial Advisors and Sacher Consulting to provide comprehensive merger valuation services to credit unions undergoing merger transactions. The comprehensive merger valuation services helps acquiring credit unions evaluate the pro forma merits of mergers, determine the fair value of business combinations and quantify the required valuation adjustments for mergers, both in evaluating prospective credit union mergers but also in conjunction with the required accounting for credit union mergers at closing. These services are offered as credit union mergers are no longer accounted for as pooling of interests. Rather, in accordance with SFAS 141-R effective at the end of 2008, all merging credit unions must now use the acquisition method of accounting to record the fair value of the acquired credit union.

This new service reflects a team of industry experts who have joined together to provide a “one-stop shop” for the valuation needs of merging credit unions. RP Financial is a leading financial advisory firm with specialties in corporate valuation, merger advisory, strategic planning, CRA planning and profitability enhancement for banks, thrifts and credit unions nationwide. ALM First is a leading financial advisory firm that provides credit unions with investment management and interest rate risk measurement services. Sacher Consulting, with over 30 years of credit union accounting experience, provides expertise in the areas of accounting and finance, internal controls, asset/liability management, and governance issues for credit unions.

For further information, please contact Ron Riggins, Managing Director of RP Financial, at (703) 647-6543 or rriggins@rpfinancial.com.