Central Coast Credit Union, one of the smallest and least profitable in the sector, is closing in on the choice of a merger partner.Suzanne McKinnon, chair of the board, told members in the annual report that CCCU was on the hunt for "backing from a larger financial institution." Formerly Wyong Shire Credit Union (and styling itself for loyal members as "the Credo," the ADI adopted its present name less than a year ago. CCCU retains a narrow industry bond, with members drawn in the main from employees of the Central Coast Council (Wyong Shire having merged with Gosford City Council). "Over the past few months, the board have identified a number of financial institutions that could partner with CCCU," McKinnon wrote."Initial discussions would indicate that a partnership of a major player from the credit union industry would enable us to maintain our Central Coast and council employee identity," she said.It's a long list of credit unions and mutual banks with scale scouting for prospects as sector numbers dwindle. These may include Unity Bank, Hunted United, Beyond Bank, G&C Mutual Bank and Community First, alongside the two Newcastle mutuals.The pickings are slight, however. Central Coast Credit Union brings assets of only A$42 million and a net profit over the year to June 2017 of $46,400, less than half the 2016 profit.The credit union's return on net assets, at around 0.1 per cent, is at the bottom end of the sector range."If we do nothing and do not research opportunities … our members would suffer in the long run," McKinnon explained in the annual report.