Evaluating my credit union's merger

[Wombat]

My credit union (Hocking Valley) merged/was merged with Atomic Credit Union (based out of Piketon, Ohio - it apparently originated along with the DOE uranium enrichment plant nearby).  I looked up Atomic's rating: basically said they were about 1% higher than the national average (5.8%) for (what I think is) probable bad debt.

I don't know exactly how to interpret the rating or this merger. It didn't appear as though they (Hocking Valley) were in bad shape to begin with, so maybe it was just a beneficial business move. But I don't know. Mostly I'm concerned with being fairly sure they won't vanish after 6 pm some Friday along with my checking account (no savings to speak of).  Suggestions?  and thanks!

[Wombat]

Ok, maybe I'm asking the wrong question.  How do you pick  an institution that seems to be an OK place to have a checking account  with (since my employer mandates direct deposit, "Serta" isn't an option just yet  )? 

[pamplemousse]

You can go to bankrate.com, and they have a section where you can check your credit union.
http://www.bankrate.com/rates/safe-sound/bank-ratings-search.aspx

You'll want to confirm that they're covered by NCUA too, the agency that insures credit union deposits.

My credit union is mediocre I think, too many bad loans, but that seems about right to me.  It is too tedious to change financial institutions, I don't have that much money anyway, so inertia wins.

[Poseidon]

Consider having bank accounts in more than one institution.  I think I must be dealing with 8 institutions now, but that wasn't intentional ... it just happened like that! Be then ready to ask for your pay to be deposited into another account if your primary bank fails.

[DimLightbulb]

I use two different credit unions.  If one goes down I have the other.  I check both constantly and have money spread out.
Looking for a third now.

And  now I understand why my parents had accounts all over the place.  They were depression kids, both of them.  When I went to their home in Fla (after they retired) I spent more time driving them around to "their banks"..stop here, stop there and on.  I always asked them if it wouldn't be easier to just keep all their money in one bank.  They said NO and wouldn't even entertain the idea.  Back then I would have scoffed at them if they told me the truth.

Now I live it myself.