Twelve Caisse Populaires across Northeastern Ontario are merging including the outlets in Sturgeon Falls and Verner. The merged entity will be known as Caisse Populaire Alliance. The general manager at the Caisse in Sturgeon Falls, Julie Duhaime, says the amalgamation means some changes in the future. However Duhaime confirms there will be no job losses under the re-grouped organization. She also says for the members, it’s going to be business as usual. The branches voted to merge under a campaign theme of “Bigger, Stronger and Better Together”. Duhaime says Sturgeon Falls supported the amalgamation 100 percent among members who voted while Verner got 96 percent support. The 12 branches, which includes those in the North Bay and Timmins cluster as well as Noelville, St. Charles and Alban, become one entity effective January 1st.