Publix Employees Federal Credit Union is preparing to open two more branches in Jacksonville in former VyStar Credit Union-owned or -leased properties, bringing the number of new locations to three.
All three are former branches of Jacksonville-based 121 Financial Credit Union, which VyStar, also based in Jacksonville, bought in March 2024.
Operating days are listed as Monday-Friday.
The credit union for Lakeland-based Publix Super Markets Inc. employees has opened its new Mandarin Branch in a leased 3,207-square-foot office at 11112 San Jose Blvd., Suite 5, within Claire Lane Center south of Interstate 295. The website does not show an ATM or drive-thru.
The city issued a permit March 20 for Taylor Sign & Design Inc. of Jacksonville to put up a wall sign at the property at a cost of $2,380.
Now, PEFCU is preparing two more branches expected to open in spring 2025.
In West Jacksonville, the new Normandy Branch at 8101 Normandy Blvd. will have a drive-thru and lists an ATM as coming soon.
Publix Employees Federal Credit Union bought that 2,296-square-foot office built in 2006 on 1.21 acres from VyStar Credit Union on Jan. 3, 2025, for $4.2 million.
In Arlington, the city issued three sign permits March 20 for Publix Employees Federal Credit Union and PEFCU at 9730 Hutchinson Park Drive in the Regency area for its Kendall Town Branch in Kendall Town Center.
Taylor Sign & Design Inc. is the contractor for the $7,401 project.
The Publix credit union also bought that property from VyStar for $4.2 million on Jan. 3, 2025.
That 3,628-square-foot branch was built in 2011 on 1.18 acres. It will have an ATM and drive-thru.
At the time of the merger, VyStar had 75 branches in North and Central Florida and 121 Financial had seven Jacksonville-area offices.
Publix Employees Federal Credit Union currently operates its Jacksonville Branch at 101 Scholars Way, south off Atlantic Boulevard between Arlington Road South and Century 21 Drive.
PEFCU apparently leases that property, having sold it June 21, 2024, for $1.01 million to KAMS Enterprises LLC of Jacksonville.
PEFCU bought it for $1.9 million in 2008 from Florida Telco Credit Union, which coincidentally was the predecessor of 121 Financial Credit Union.
That 15,548-square-foot building was developed in 1977.
VyStarCU.org says 121 Financial had served Northeast Florida residents since 1935, founded during the Great Depression as Florida Telco Credit Union and was one of the first credit unions in the United States.
According to the pefcu.com site, the Publix Employees Federal Credit Union will close that branch.
“The Scholar’s Way branch will eventually close; however, you will eventually have access to our three beautiful new locations shown on this web page,” the site says, listing the Normandy, Mandarin and Kendall Town branches.
The site says PECU is “thrilled to announce the opening of several new branches in 2025.”
“This growth reflects our commitment to serving our members and providing convenient access to the exceptional financial services you deserve. We look forward to serving you in these new locations and continuing to build stronger relationships within our community,” the site says.
“As Publix and Jacksonville continue to grow, we’re finding that more members and Publix associates work and have homes all over this great city. We want them all to have more branch options nearby so we can be there for them when they need us the most.”
It said there will be ATMs at two of the branches, “and we’ll work quickly to make sure they are up and running as soon as possible.”
The site says that in the meantime, Publix credit union members have surcharge-free access to Presto! and CO-OP ATMs in Jacksonville.
Publix Employees Federal Credit Union lists 11 sites open and coming soon. In addition to the four in Jacksonville, there are branches in Altamonte Springs, Oakbridge, Pembroke Pines, Royal Palm Beach, Sarasota and opening in the spring in Lakeland. There also is a branch in Lawrenceville, Georgia.
Services include mortgages; car, truck, boat, RV, motorcycle, UTV/ATV, golf cart and personal loans; free checking with no minimum balance required; free online and mobile banking, bill pay, direct deposit and payroll distribution, account transfers; access to surcharge-free ATMs; and more.
PEFCU is a not-for-profit, member-owned co-operative founded in 1957 to meet the financial needs of Publix associates and family members. Membership is available to current and retired associates of Publix Super Markets Inc. and their immediate family members; and employees of several other organizations, including the city of Lakeland.