For several generations, Aventa Credit Union and Pueblo City Employees (PCE) Federal Credit Union have been depositing payroll checks, making loans and building savings for their cities' finest: police, firefighters, city administration staff, utility and water department workers, as well as thousands of other community members. The two will now continue their decades of service as a single credit union.

PCE members voted October 23 at a special meeting to merge with Aventa in a move to enhance financial stability, products and services. The combined credit union will have more than 18,000 members and assets of nearly $150 million. PCE will combine operations with Aventa Credit Union on March 1, 2010, allowing time to manage through necessary technology, communication and process details.

Although PCE will effectively become a branch of Aventa, PCE will retain its identity. Two of the current PCE board members - chairman, Ric Esgar and treasurer, Lara Barrett - will become members of a combined Aventa board.