"The merger provides a larger and more efficient organization, offering more comprehensive services to our combined membership and a higher level of sustainable growth in the highly competitive South Florida marketplace," Prior said. "In addition to greater services and member market reach, operational efficiencies will increase as a result of this merger, creating more sophisticated and innovative products and services for our members." Merger plans between the two credit unions began in May of this year when the two organizations signed a letter of intent. Members of Pan Am Horizons FCU approved the merger after regulatory filing, according to Prior. Current members' account numbers, existing checks and credit and check cards will continue to function normally, Prior said. New checks and cards reflecting Power Financial Credit Union will be issued based on expiration dates and special requests. Branch hours, locations, telephone numbers, and staff will remain the same.

Prior said members will "see the same familiar faces–just with a new name."

Power 1 was formed in 1951 to serve Florida Power and Light Co. Pan Am Horizons was founded in 1946 as Buccaneer Credit Union and went on to serve employees of Pan Am airlines. It has undergone several name changes as well as a merger in 1994 that produced its most recent name, Pan Am Horizons. –[email protected]