ST. LOUIS – Citing anticipated economies of scale and the potential for added services, the $705 million Anheuser-Busch Employees' Credit Union is merging with the $117 million Meridian CU of St. Louis. The combined CU will have 92,000 members. The merger was approved by Meridian's members Nov. 12 and is expected to receive regulatory approval in December. Under the merger arrangement, Meridian will become part of American Eagle CU, the Missouri division of ABECU. ABECU stressed that the merger will not affect the CU's original field of membership. "We believe the joining of the two credit unions will be mutually beneficial and look forward to serving the members of Meridian Credit Union," said David Osborn, ABECU president/CEO. The merger, he said, fits the CU's core strategic goal of managed growth allowing the combined CU to provide added products and service. Meridian, with 20,000 members, was formerly linked to Missouri telecommunication firms and serves SEG groups in four Missouri counties, St. Louis, St. Charles, Franklin and Jefferson Counties.