Fla. and JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- In an ongoing effort to expand its presence in Florida, Eastern Financial Florida Credit Union has merged OMNI Community Credit Union into its fold effective today. 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.

OMNI brings Eastern Financial 8,000 new members and three branches in the Jacksonville area, increasing its total statewide membership to 226,000 individuals and 32 branches. Eastern Financial has $2 billion in assets. OMNI has $48 million in assets.

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, according to the CU. After Oct. 1, OMNI members can access any product or services offered by Eastern Financial and use any of its branch locations.

Gary Lanier, senior vice-president of sales and member service for Eastern Financial, said "We look forward to serving the rapidly growing Jacksonville area. 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.