JACKSON, Miss., July 30, 2025 ~ In a move that will greatly impact the community development landscape, Hope Credit Union has announced its merger with 1st Choice Credit Union in Atlanta. This partnership brings together two powerful organizations, with Hope Credit Union being one of the largest Black- and women-owned financial institutions in the nation.

1st Choice Credit Union, which currently serves approximately 8,600 members and has $32 million in assets, was founded in 1946 as Hospital Authority Credit Union. Its mission has always been to improve the financial health of Grady Hospital employees, their families, and surrounding communities. The credit union is affiliated with several healthcare providers such as Morehouse School of Medicine and Emory School of Medicine, as well as other community development organizations like Atlanta Life Insurance Company and South Fulton Community Development Corporation.

Billy Wright, Chief Financial Officer at Grady Health System, expressed excitement about the merger stating that "1st Choice's 79-year legacy will continue and expand through this partnership with Hope Credit Union." He also highlighted the potential for growth and expansion through alliances with healthcare providers and other anchor institutions vital to the community's wellbeing.

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According to HOPE CEO Bill Bynum, this merger presents exciting opportunities for both organizations. "The foundation laid by 1st Choice and being in Atlanta allows us to expand our alliances with healthcare providers, HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities), and other anchor institutions," he said. Bynum also emphasized that this partnership aligns with HOPE's goal of creating an ecosystem across the Deep South where individuals have access to resources for prosperity.

With this merger, HOPE will now have a presence in urban and rural communities throughout the Deep South including Atlanta, Birmingham, Little Rock, Jackson, Memphis, Montgomery, New Orleans, as well as across the Mississippi Delta and Alabama Black Belt regions. The credit union assumed management of 1st Choice in July and is working towards completing the merger this fall.

This partnership between Hope Credit Union and 1st Choice Credit Union is a significant step towards creating a more equitable financial landscape in the Deep South. With their combined resources and expertise, they are poised to make a positive impact on the communities they serve.

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