from staff
Eastern Financial Florida Credit Union, one of the largest credit unions in the nation, is expanding its presence in the state through a merger with Jacksonville-based OMNI Community Credit Union. The merger, which became official June 1, means Eastern Financial will now serve members in Duval, Clay, St. Johns, and Nassau counties in addition to Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Pinellas, and Hillsborough counties.
Through the merger, OMNI Community Credit Union brings Eastern Financial 8,000 new members and three branch locations in the Jacksonville area, increasing its total statewide membership to 226,000 individuals and 32 branches.
OMNI is expected to convert all of its systems over to Eastern Financial’s by Oct. 1. Until then, OMNI members will only have access to Eastern Financial mortgages. After Oct. 1, OMNI members can access any product or service offered by Eastern Financial and use any of its branch locations. In addition to mortgage products, OMNI members will be able to take advantage of credit cards, business services, investment products, and other programs typically offered by a larger financial institution.
“We look forward to serving the rapidly growing Jacksonville area,” said Gary Lanier, senior vice-president of sales and member service for Eastern Financial. “We feel that our products and services along with convenient locations in three of the largest markets in Florida will be well-received by existing and potential Jacksonville members.”
Lanier also said that all of OMNI’s employees would be retained.
Eastern Financial Florida Credit Union was founded in 1937 as the original credit union of Eastern Airlines. The credit union is now the largest not-for-profit credit union in South Florida and the third largest in Florida with $2 billion in assets.