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UK Credit Union & Cove Federal Credit Union Complete Merger

The merger reflects both credit unions’ commitment to long-term sustainability, growth, and expanded in-branch member support.

UK Credit Union & Cove Federal Credit Union Complete Merger

UK Credit Union and Cove Federal Credit Union are proud to share news of the successful completion of the planned merger, effective on April 1, 2026. The merger of the two Credit Unions comes as a desire from each organization's commitment to long-term sustainability, growth, and increasing access for members to in-person support in branches.

After several months of collaboration between both organizations to ensure a smooth transition for Cove FCU members and access to value-filled products, UK Credit Union is excited to welcome the new members. UK Credit Union has shared that there will be no immediate impacts to Cove FCU member accounts and services but will begin migrating to UK Credit Union platforms over the next 60 days.

Ryan Ross Cove Quote

Take a look at our Welcome Guide!

It's a great way to understand your new membership and learn about all of the benefits of being a UK Credit Union member.

Highlights of the Merger


  • Increased Geographic Footprint: With eight branches, and over 90,000 + ATMs available free-of-charge, the members of UK Credit Union will enjoy expanded support throughout the state, and while traveling.
  • Enhanced Product Offerings: UK Credit Union has committed to continuously developing new services that provide benefits to our members throughout their lifetime. The goal is simple, help members save money, and help members make money.
  • Leveraging Technology To Make Managing Finances Easier: A key strategic pillar for UK Credit Union is finding new ways to make everyday banking tasks easier through streamlined processes, automation, and enhanced security. Great technology should not be limited to mega banks and fintech providers.

Following the merger, UK Credit Union will now operate 8 branches serving over 118,000 members with a total of $1.75 billion in assets. Additionally, UK Credit Union plans on opening a new branch in the Florence area roughly 10 miles away to provide expanded member support to knowledgeable financial experts.

A Message from UK Credit Union's President & CEO

Listen to Ryan Ross, President & CEO of UK Credit Union, and his welcome message to all Cove FCU members.

Open an Account or Apply Online

We're so much more than a financial institution.

In January 1937, a group of agriculture college employees from the University of Kentucky decided they needed a better way to save and borrow money. Together, they formed UK Credit Union. From our earliest days as a group of determined individuals looking for a better way to save and bank, UK Credit Union has grown to a $1.75 billion organization serving over 118,000 members and in doing so, has been recognized for many top accolades!

Accolades Doodle Party

Cove Comparison Chart

  • Membership Eligibility
  • Branch Locations
  • ATM Network
  • Assets & Members
  • Auto Loan Rates
  • Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC)
    • Cove Federal Credit Union
    • Primarily for residents in Northern KY and southern Ohio counties
    • One branch in Edgewood, KY
    • 30,000+ surcharge-free ATMs nationwide
    • Approx. $55 million in assets, ~6,500 members
    • As low as 6.24% APR
    • As low as 7.50% APR
    • University of Kentucky Credit Union
    • Open to University of Kentucky affiliates, students, employees, immediate family, plus community eligibility in Central KY.
    • Seven full-service branches in Lexington & Central KY
    • 90,000+ surcharge-free ATMs nationwide
    • Approx. $1.6 billion in assets, 110,000+ members
    • As low as 3.99% APR
    • As low as 5.75% APR

    General FAQs

    UK Credit Union has been proudly serving the University of Kentucky and Central Kentucky since 1937 and now has more than $1.60 billion in total assets and seven convenient branches in Lexington and Nicholasville. UK Credit Union is a full-service financial institution offering a wide range of products and services, including checking and savings accounts, mortgage, auto, and commercial loans, as well as investment services. For more information about how to join UK Credit Union, click here.

    The combined organization will operate under the UK Credit Union leadership and name. To read more details about the merger, please see our news release.

    No. The leadership under the combined organization has no plans to change or close any branches. Following the completion of the merger, the Cove FCU location will be updated with UK Credit Union physical signage. We are happy to announce the purchase of a new branch location in Florence to continue our branch network growth and member support in the NKY area. The location on 4790 Houston Road will be open in Summer of 2026.

    Prior to the merger, no. If the merger is approved by NCUA, UK Credit Union will begin mapping Cove products to similar products at UK Credit Union that provide the member with similar, and potentially better, features. More information about your new account and the mapping will be available as we approach the final stages of the merger. 

    The Loan rates and payments will not be changing. Beginning June 1, 2026, your Loan statements will come from UK Credit Union. The simplest way to make a Loan payment is from an existing share account at UK Credit Union, and making the payment via Online Banking or the Mobile App. Alternatively, you can make a payment from an external (non-UK Credit Union) account, but you will have to pay a $10 processing fee. If you need to make a payment via Debit Card, there is a link on our website in the top header that says "Pay My Loan". 

    Beginning June 1, 2026, covefcu.com will be automatically redirected to ukcreditunion.org. Any relevant information that is need during the conversion process will be transferred over to UK Credit Union's website. 

    Prior to the completion of the merger, no. You will have access to all Cove FCU services and products until the merger is approved by the NCUA, and the conversion has been completed.  As we have approached the completion of the merger, UK Credit Union and Cove will be reaching out in joint communications to inform you of the next steps.

    Cove FCU members will create new usernames and passwords during re-enrollment. The enrollment process will begin on 06.01.2026. If you already have a UK Credit Union membership, you may login as you normally would and see all of your accounts aggregated. 

    If you already have a UK Credit Union membership, you will receive a duplicate error message that reads, "Username already exists." You will not need to set up an additional Online Banking Account to access your converted Cove Accounts as they will be merged into existing UK Credit Union Online Banking Accounts, if possible. 

    Alerts - Unfortunately, any existing alerts created on the Cove FCU Online Banking platform will need to be created on UK Credit Union's Online Banking or Mobile App. To set up new alerts, Log into Online Banking or the Mobile App and navigate to: Menu > Profile & Settings > Alerts.

    Bill Pay - Similar to the alerts, all previous payees set up in Bill Pay will need to be re-established in UK Credit Union's Online Banking or Mobile App. For complete details, please see the Electronic Funds Disclosure.

    Transfers - Any recurring transfers (internal or external) will need to be reestablished within UK Credit Union's Online Banking or Mobile App. 

    Yes, the majority of members will have the ability to continue using existing checks. However, there is a small number of CFCU members that will need to have their account numbers changed, and those checks will no longer function. Those members will be contacted directly. 

    Beginning on Friday, May 29 at 6 PM, Cove members will lose access to Online and Mobile Banking until Monday, June 1 at 9 AM when they will be able to enroll in UK Credit Union’s Online and Mobile Banking. Cove members will be unable to access or view their accounts online between these times. Debit card transactions completed over the weekend of May 30-31 may not reflect in accounts until sometime later on the week of June 1st due to the system conversion.

    Your direct deposit should continue to work as normal, but we recommend monitoring your deposits to ensure that they arrive successfully. If you notice anything unexpected, please contact us at 800-234-8528 or visit our Edgewood Branch.

    You will not need to update your direct deposit information right away. However, members should plan to update their information within six months to ensure that future transactions are not impacted when the CFCU routing number is retired in 2027.

    Debit Card FAQs

    As part of your transition to UK Credit Union, you’ll receive a new Visa® Debit Card to replace your current Cove Federal Credit Union card. Our goal is to provide a seamless experience with equal or enhanced features.

    Your new debit card has been mailed to the address we have on file. You can activate it as soon as you receive it. However, you will not be able to begin using it until June 1, 2026.

    Please note: the envelope will be plain and non-descript for security purposes.

    Yes. You should continue using your Cove Federal Credit Union debit card through May 31, 2026.

    • Now: New UK Credit Union debit cards are in the mail. They can be activated as soon as they arrive.
    • May 31, 2026: Last day to use your Cove debit card.
    • June 1, 2026: New debit card can be used, provided you have activated it.

    If you haven’t received your card by May 26, 2026, please contact us so we can ensure you have one before the transition:

    • Visit our Edgewood Branch.
    • Call 800-234-8528.

    Your UK Credit Union Visa® Debit Card includes:

    • Debit Card Cash Back Rewards – Earn $0.05 back on each transaction*.
    • Mobile App Card Controls – Set spending limits and restrict geographic usage to help prevent fraud.
    • Digital Wallet Compatibility – Easily add your card to your smartphone wallet for convenient, contactless payments.

    *Debit Card Cash Back Rewards available on all UK Credit Union accounts with an associated debit card, excluding Student Rewards Accounts. Members earn $0.05 cash back for each qualifying signature-based debit card transaction once a minimum of 11 transactions are completed within a calendar month, including joint account holder cards. PIN-based transactions, checks, cash withdrawals, and other non-signature transactions do not qualify. Cash back will be credited to the checking account by the fifth day of the following month or the next business day. Transactions that are returned or fully refunded within the same calendar month will reduce the payout by $0.05 per returned transaction; partial refunds or refunds processed in a later month will not reduce the payout. Please see a representative for additional details. Membership eligibility required. Federally insured by NCUA.

    Once your card is active, you can add it through the Card Controls section within the UK Credit Union Mobile App. Learn how to do so here: Digital Wallet

    Credit Card FAQs

    Beginning May 29, 2026 at 6 PM EST, credit card payments will no longer be made through Cove’s online payment website. In order to minimize disruption, we encourage all former Cove members to make their June payments in advance of this time.

    To continue making payments online, you must use the special Cove Credit Card Payment link within UK Credit Union Online Banking (available June 2) or set up Bill Pay within UK Credit Union Online Banking on June 1, 2026.

    If you want to make payments online, you are required to enroll in UK Credit Union Online Banking. Once enrolled, we recommend setting up Bill Pay.

    Online access and Bill Pay enrollment will not transfer automatically from your prior financial institution.

    To set up Bill Pay:

    1. Visit ukcreditunion.org and enroll in UK Credit Union Online Banking.
    2. Once enrolled, access Bill Pay within online banking. This can be found by pressing “Pay and Transfer” and selecting “Bill Pay” in the “Make a Payment” section.
    3. Set up your credit card as a payee.
    4. Submit payments by your regular due date.

    Until enrollment is complete, you may use phone or in‑branch payment options to avoid missing a payment.

    • Your payment due date does not change.
    • Interest and fees are not impacted by this transition.
    • Late fees and interest may apply if payments are not received by your due date.
    • Payments set up through Bill Pay* will be sent electronically.

    *If you are enrolling in Bill Pay for the first time, please allow extra time for setup and payment processing.

    Here are some important dates to know:

    • June 1, 2026: New payment process takes effect.
    • March-April, 2027: Payments accepted via existing process in conjunction with transition to new system.
    • Mid-April, 2027: Current credit card program scheduled to conclude.

    Credit card payments will continue to be accepted without interruption through April 2027, provided payments are submitted using the methods detailed in this FAQ.

    For help with payments, billing questions, or disputes:

    About UK Credit Union

    UK Credit Union has been proudly serving the University of Kentucky and Central Kentucky since 1937 and now has more than $1.60 billion in total assets. UK Credit Union is a full-service financial institution offering a wide range of products and services, including checking and savings accounts, mortgage, auto, and commercial loans, as well as investment services. 

    About Cove Federal Credit Union

    Cove Federal Credit Union was originally chartered as SEMC Federal Credit Union in 1970, created by a small group of employees of St. Elizabeth Hospital in Covington, Kentucky. In 1978, St. Elizabeth’s South Unit was built in Edgewood, Kentucky and the hospital became St. Elizabeth Medical Center. As the South Unit grew, so did the credit union. In 1989, the Credit Union moved its main office to the South Unit in Edgewood but maintained a branch office in the Covington hospital. In June 1999, the credit union moved off site from the hospital to our current location at 577 Dudley Road in Edgewood, Kentucky.

    Your financial wellbeing is our top priority.

    • I’ve been with UK Credit Union for twenty years! They always took care of all of my, and my family’s financial needs, with courtesy and professionalism. I would not change my bank for anything, we are like family!!! Thank you, UK Credit Union!!!

      Angelica R.
    • I love banking with the UK Credit Union! Employees are always friendly and have the information I need quickly. Stopped in last weekend for a certified check and I appreciated the care that went into the transaction. Can't say enough nice things about my banking experiences with them!

      Leslie W.
    • I have always been a fan of UK Credit Union, which is why I still bank there after 30 years. Their staff is friendly and well-trained; they try to do what you need or suggest ideas; they have enough branches that I can go to one without much extra driving; their loan rates are low; their mobile app is easy to use.

      Ginny G.
    • I came in when UK Credit Union was about to close, but they were still very kind and diligent! It was my first time ever opening a bank account so I really appreciated how quickly and smoothly everything went. I even got to learn a little bit about credit! Most of all, I was anxious about creating a bank account because I kept telling myself it means I’m growing up and there’s no going back. However, the staff at UK Credit Union were kind and VERY friendly and helpful in every way. All my worries were gone in seconds (not kidding)! So, thank you very much for making my presumed scary experience wonderful!

      Debbie I.

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    You will need the following information in order to complete the application:

    • Your complete physical and mailing address
    • Social Security Number
    • Date of Birth
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